Beauty and the British

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Huge Beauty Hall || Boots, Superdrug & Mac

Hi everyone!

I feel like I haven't written a post in such a long time but I'm back today with a beauty haul for you guys.

So recently I spent a few days in Kent visiting my friend at Uni so naturally we had to do a bit of shopping... and then I came home and went shopping with another friend. Sorry.

I'll start with all the goodies I bought from Boots. The first thing I picked up was an undereye concealer by 17 in the shade Fair. I've used this every day since I bought it and I have to say that so far I'm very impressed. It's very lightweight yet covers well.

Also from 17 I picked up two nude lipsticks. The first being BeeHive which is a warm toned nude and an all rounder through the different seasons. The next is a darker nude called Belle. Both are really smooth to apply onto the lips and feel nice and moisturising, they have great colour pay off too.

From the Benefit stand I picked up this box full of little sample size products. It's the Primping with the Stars set and I've been wanting to try out some more Benedit products for a while but because of the price tag I tend not to just incase I don't like something. This is why I decided to get one of the sets to try out a few different mini products rather then wasting a full size.

Besides being full of cutely packaged miniatures, the box itself is beautiful and even after I have used up the products I will keep this box on display and find something cute to keep inside it.

Within the set there are miniatures of the Stay don't Stray concealer primer, the Some Kinda Gorgeous, Girl Meets Pearl highlight which I've been using along the tops of my cheekbones and I love it! Then there's a sample of the They're Real mascara which I've had before and it's absolutely amazing, then a mini POREfessional which I'm sure you've heard of by now and finally a little Benetint which I used for the first time today and it just leaves a very natural hint of colour to your cheeks leaving your skin looking nice and healthy.

Next I had to buy some more of the toner I've been using. It's from the Botanics All Bright range and since I started using this alongside the All Bright cleanser in January my skin has never looked better. I don't break out very much like I used to and if I do it's only because of the hormones.. You know what in talking about. Also it's really helped reduce redness from scars left from constant breakouts around my chin area. If your in the market for a good toner for an amazing price then I highly recommend this. It's normally around £5 but there's always deals and I bought mine on a half price deal.

Shockingly I've never owned anything from Models Own so I thought it was time to get something. I don't know how long these particular nail vanished have been out but it's such a cool idea. They have nice pastel shades, I went for this beautiful lavender colour and inside the clear packaging there is a reel of self-adhesive stickers to add over the paint. This colour comes with a reel of floral stickers but I'm sure the other colours came with different things.

The last couple of products are all to do with hair. Now I've got naturally very long and thick hair which I am very lucky to have and I don't have a problem with volume usually, but a few weeks ago now I made the silly mistake of having a slight fringe cut in which doesn't suit me at all, I also had some not too short layers put in too so my hair just doesn't sit like it used to so I'm hoping that with the help of Batiste's XXL plumping powder I'll be able to get my hair closer to how it used to be.

And finally from Boots I picked up L'oreal's Elvive Smooth and Polish hair mask because I have ombre'd hair and am looking into going ashy blonde all over I want to make sure my hair is in good condition before I put any colour or bleach into it.

So now moving on to the goodies I picked up from Superdrug.

First I went over to the Revlon stand where they always have a 3 for 2 so I picked up one of the newish matte balms in audacious, one of the laquer balms in vivacious and one of the Revlon Lip Butters.

From MUA I got one of their Mosaic Blushes in Engliah Rose which adds just the right amount of colour to your cheeks and a touch of shimmer.

Also from MUA I picked up this palette. All shades are matte which I love because I don't always want to have shimmery eyes, especially in my day to day makeup for work or just nipping to the shop. I love that the shades are very neutral and are a mix of light and dark shades.

Lastly from MUA I got a white eyeliner because I haven't been sleeping too well lately and just wanted something to pop around my eyes to brighten them and make me look more awake.

From the Sleek stand I finally got my hands of the Blush by 3 in Lace. The shades are so pigmented and bright that a little goes a long way. I thought that these shades would be perfect for spring and summer, especially with a bit of a tan.

From Mac I just picked up one lipstick in the colour Hue. It's a glaze finish and is just a lovely every day nude. I love the way it feels on my lips and like all other Mac lipsticks, it's smells delicious!

I found this tiny little shampoo in the new Poundland which opened this weeken in my local town. It's meant to take the yellow tones out of blonde hair and I'm up for trying anything to get rid of those yellow tones.

From Tesco I picked up a new moisturiser because I ran out of mine and wanted to try something new. It's Simple's Hydrating light moisturiser. I chose this because I love Simple as a brand and because now the warmer weather is approaching, I don't want to be using thick creams on my face because it doesn't feel too nice when you get all hot and bothered and then your moisturiser starts sliding about your face! So far I'm loving this, it absorbs quickly and feels nice and cooling when applied.

And lastly, a slightly random product I picked up was this piercing aftercare solution from Claire's. Me and my friend went in there to check out their jewellery stands and I just decided to get my cartalige pierced as a spare if the moment thing. I've got my cartalige pierced already but I got it done again just under and I've put a tiny silver hoop in he existing piercing and the new one I've got a little silver ball. It looks pretty cool! So this is what I'm cleaning it with 3 times a day.

Ok, so we're finally at the end of my slightly ridiculous beauty haul. Thank you if you've stuck it out till the end!

Let me know in the comments what you think of any of the products I picked up.

Bye guys x

Tuesday, 4 March 2014

February Favourites || 2014

Hi Lovelies!

Today I thought I'd do my first 'favourites' post! I wanted to do a 'January Favourites' but by the time I had got myself organised it was already a week into Feb! Rubbish I know...

But never the less, here is my favourites for the month of Feb 2014.

This month I have been loving quite a few bits and pieces. Most are makeup and beauty items, but I've thrown in a couple others too.

First up is Rimmel's Stay Matte foundation. A absolute staple in my makeup bag. I've been using it in the shade peach glow. This product is absolutely brilliant for my skin type. I have slightly oily skin, mainly around my T-Zone, and with a light dusting of this over my face it keeps my skin matte and the oiliness at bay. I will continue to buy this for as long as Rimmel keep making it.

This month I haven't been wearing to much on my lips as far as my usual pop of red goes, but I have been enjoying using different lip balms/butters, tinted and untinted. The first of the lip products are these three Maybelline Baby Lips. The untinted ones are perfect when you just want a bit of hydration for your lips but the tinted ones are great for when you want hydration with a pop of colour.

Lush's Jackie Oates Colour Suppliment is the perfect alternative for foundation for those paler folk. Its all natural and full of goodness for the skin so it's much more beneficial for the skin as well as offering good coverage like a foundation. It applies like a liquid foundation, I use Real Techniques Expert Face Brush or my fingers, but any foundation brush I'm sure would do the trick.

Another foundation i've fallen in love with this month is L'oreal's True Match foundation. This not only has brilliant coverage but amazing staying power too. It leaves my skin looking flawless and airbrushed. Another bonus to this absolute gem is the vast shade range, so to anyone that hasn't tried it yet.. What are you waiting for?

The two mascaras I've been in love with this month is Maybelline's The Falises and L'oreal's Miss Manga, both in black. They both give amazing volume, length and curl. I don't know what else to say about these two products apart from the fact I LOVE THEM!

Like a lot of other bloggers out there, Urban Decay's Naked 3 pallet is held warmly in my heart. It's full of natural shadows in a mixture of matte and shimmer shades with a rose gold tint. So many gorgeous looks can be created with this pallet from natural, 'no makeup' makeup looks to sultry smokey eyes perfect for date nights or nights out with the girls

Since my birthday in January I have accumulated two pairs of Nike Blazers. The first pair my brother bought me for my birthday and the orange pair I bought myself in the sale. They are so comfortable right from the word go, I haven't needed to break them in like a lot of shoes. I think I will get more use out of them in the summer when I can wear them with shorts as at the moment I live in black leggings. But never the less, these shoes are great and if you can get your hands on some I really don't think you'll regret it!

I've also got another shoe favourite this month which are these cute little black strappy 'school shoes'. These remind me of the shoes me and my friends would wear when we were little at school but with a bit more height added! I like to wear them with tights or white frilly socks and smock dresses. I tend to stick to dark colours clothing wise and although they are black, they add a bit of girliness to my outfit.

Food wise this month I've been on a bit of a health kick and have been eating tomatoes and grapes (amoung other things) constantly and I can't get enough! I've also discovered walnuts to be pretty yummy and filling which is perfect and keeps me away from snacking on cakes and biscuits during tea breaks at work!

And finally my last favourite of the month is Lush. No specific product, just the brand as a whole. I have got my hands on a rather big stash of products over the last month or so and I can't get enough! Every time I go in there the staff are so helpful and friendly and I always have a great shopping experience. I went into my local store about a couple of weeks ago and I noticed that the staff all had numerous red triangles painted on their faces, hands, arms etc. I asked what it was for and they said that they were taking photos of the staff and any customers who wanted to join in and sending them off to Lush HQ in support of the recent law passed in Russia that it is now illegal to say being gay is normal, meaning that if any gay person were to openly speak of being gay, they could be prosecuted. I'm one for equal rights across the board and don't think that anyone's sexual preference should determine their life's decisions, so me and my friend painted some red triangles on our faces and had a photo taken to support the cause against this new law.

What are your favourites for this month? Do you share any of mine?

Byee x

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

GlossyBox || February '14

Hi fellow beauty fanatics!

I have a pretty exciting post today, well for me it's very exciting because I received my first GlossyBox in the post today!

I start my off my GLossBox posts with February's Valentines edition. Firstly, how cute is the packaging?! I don't know about you but I love having pretty boxes around my room to keep bits and bobs in and this will definitely be added to the collection.

In this months box I received 7 goodies! Not the usual 5 which I thought was pretty darn good for my first box.

First was this backcombing brush by Sleep-In Rollers. I've never heard of this brand but on the little card you get in the box telling you what everything is, it says it's a 'Celeb Favourite' so I guess it must be good!

Next was this ColorSensational lipstick by Maybelline New York in the shade Tantalizing Taupe 725. It's quite a dark nude but I think I might be able to make it work with a neutral smokey eye.

Now this sparkly bottle of goodness is the Sparkling Body Shimmer by Nougat London. You can use it to create a natural glow onto your body, I think this will come in handy in the summer when I get my legs out, anything to make them look better is good with me!

They added in a sneaky chocolate treat especially for Valentines. They went with a Lindor Treat Bar by Lindt. If you don't know this brand...what are you waiting for?!

Next was this duo of shampoo and conditioner by H2K Skincare. It's the Je T'adore Aromatics Shampoo & Sensual Hydrating Hair Conditioner. They're cute little sample size, perfect for a weekend away.

And last but not least was this gorgeous coral/red paint pot from Ciate. It's a nice bright colour, perfect for a Valentines edition but even better for carrying through into spring and summer when bright colours and florals come back.

Thank you for checking out my first GlossyBox unboxing.... Mouthful!

Have an amazing week.

Bye guys x

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

Topshop, Boohoo & River Island Haul

Hi Lovelies, how're you all doing? Well I hope!

So since pay day I've done a little bit of online shopping... It's not that much, honest...

So that means today I've got a lovely haul for you. I've had spring in mind while picking my new bits and pieces so I've got some nice bright colours, cropped tops and jumpers and a couple of beauty items too.

Let's start with Topshop.

First up I came across this grey/lilac velvet skater dress with lace inserts. I absolutely adore this dress and think it's perfect for while it's still a bit chilly for a meal out with a nice jacket thrown over or dressed down with a baggy cropped jumper thrown over the top. I got it in the sale for I think £15 which is an absolute bargain!

Next I found this snazzy cropped jumper which has a quilted texture body but silky feeling, thin sleeves with a sort of snake skin print on them. It's a nice deep green which I love and was in the sale too for around £10 - £12.

The two beauty products I picked up were this lipstick in Ohh La La which is a bright coral/orange, I do love my bright lips I the spring/summer. And this nail vanish in Kene which is a pale baby blue, perfect for when the sun comes back!

Moving on to the goodies I purchased from River Island.

First I found this cute little white crop top with a raised aztec print all over. It's in that stretchy material that clings to you so if your not a fan of clingy crop tops then I wouldn't suggest it, I think this will be a piece for summer parties to go with maxi skirts. I got this in the sale for around £8.

Next I found this bright hot pink cropped jumper, it's quite baggy but is still very cropped, again I bought this for when the maxi skirts and shorts come back out. I picked this up for around £10.

I then came across the One Direction 'Where We Are' book. I knew a couple of my friends had it but I couldn't justify spending £15 on it. But there it was, in the sale for £8, so I put it in my metaphorical internet basket.

The next few bits I ordered from Boohoo.com.

I picked up 2 smock dresses in bright floral prints, I wanted to go for the smock style because I'm all about baggy comfortable clothing and if there's a way I can bring that into the spring/summer then i'll buy it! these were both around £10 - £12.

And lastly is this deep red/burgundy baggy strap dress. Its so comfortable and a nice length. I thought it would be perfect to layer up with an over-sized denim jacket, a statement necklace and some ankle height cowboy boots. This was £8 I believe.

So that's all my new bits and pieces, I hoped this helped if you were wondering what's in stores at the moment or are just nosy like me and want to see what other people buy!

Speak to you all soon.

Bye x