Thursday 29 September 2011

Nail it!!

Good afternoon my beauties, what a gorgeous day, oui? The sun has finally decided to grace us with it's presence hey?! 28 degrees in LDN I believe...wowza.

However, I am currently cooped up in the office.  I must admit, browsing the Topshop online (on pay-day) is making me feel a little better about missing the all the sunshine. 

And, like the magpie I am, I can't help but notice the beautiful selection of nail varnish colours of late.
Here are the one's that have made it to the top of my wishlist:


 Minted

Heart of Gold


Bourbon

Cyclone



 Butterscotch babe

I will totes be picking up a couple of these gorgeous shades on my way home tonight, little payday treat :) *grins*

 I wouldn't actually mind having the whole collection to be honest... Oh to be Chloe Green (Topshop heiress)... *sigh*

Have you tried any varnishes from the latest collection? What are you favourites?

Tata for now Xx

♥ Things I love Thursday ♥


















# all images from 'the beauty department' (My current favourite website).



Monday 26 September 2011

A Vintage Affair

Happy Monday beauties, how was everyones weekends?


Just a quick picture post from me today lovies. I had a lovely weekend despite having horrible back pain, and being dosed up with pain killers :(


Friday evening I headed down to South London to catch up my friends Tom and Sibhan. We had a lovely evening in consisting of wine, kebabs, a slasher movie and of course, making an indoor tent, as you do (yes we are like giant 5 year olds).


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 and yes, we watched our film in the tent :)


On Saturday morning my furry baby woke me up...


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Liza- "It's morning... I just thought you would want to know so that we can play."

My sister and I headed over to Angel in North London for a spot of  vintage market browsing in the cobbles streets of Camden Passage.
This is such an amazing little place, full of gorgeous little cafes, bars and resteraunts, vintage shops, market stalls and such. I definetly reccommend it for those of you looking for a cute market spot that isn't too overwelming or expensive. It's got such character. I think this is where the majority of my christmas shopping will take place!

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My favourite part of the day was slurping down vanilla and maple syrup milkshakes in a 50's themed diner named "Issy's Milky Way" with duke boxes and quiffed waiters. Consequently, I currently have a new obsession with 50's music, it!

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Saturday evening I spent curled up in bed with tea and biscuits watching 9 to 5 and Overboard, 2 great classics!!




Have any of you been to Camden Passage? Do you love 50's diners as much as I do?!

And fear not... beauty reviews and what not coming soon my darlings. Xx

P.s oooo before I forget, my sisty also blogged about our day, you can read about it here.

Friday 23 September 2011

Just what I needed...

Last week I was feeling rather homesick (Devon, not Bath).
Lucky I had booked a trip down there to spend time with my bestest pal and become a Godmother to baby Tilly Alexa too :)
I thought I'd share some cheeky snaps from my favourite weekend this year...








My weekend involved:
catching up with old friends. drinking. night out in Torquay. hangover. cockington country park. cream tea. chips. baking cookies and apple cake. meetin besties new man. sleep. Tillys chirstening. christening party. hot choc. home to LDN. Few...

Thank you to my Devon lovies who made it such a fun trip, cheered me right up!

Liz Earl Cleanse and Polish Skin Diary...

Warning: I seem to have rambled on for a while, you may want to sit down and have a cuppa whilst reading this!

Last Sunday, when I got home from my weekend away (possibly the best weekend of the year so far), the lovely ladies at Liz Earle PR had sent me a beautiful package with their famous "Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser" for me to try.
They had even written me a cute little note...

Thanks lovlies :)



The Company
For those of you who haven't yet discover Liz Earle, well, you're in for a treat, yes indeedy :)
There are a few stores around, so I would recommend a trip to one, where you can recieve treatments, try all the products, or even just relax with tea and cake :)

I love the principles of this company:
No animal testing or animal ingerdients.
Using plant and oil extracts.
Only mineral sunscreens are used (reflecting rather than absorbing UV rays)
No genetically engineered ingredients.
Natural Vitamin E

Product blurb
"our multi award winning concentrated cleanser has a two-phase action to quickly remove daily grime, make-up and stubborn mascara leaving skin soft, smooth and radiant."

What's in it?
Liz Earle are a brand who pack their products full of nice "natural" ingredients. If you're anything like me, you like to know exacly what you're putting on your face, here's the full list of  ingredients:


Aqua (water), Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetyl esters, Sorbitan Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Cera alba (beeswax), Propylene glycol, Humulus lupulus (hops) extract, Panthenol, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) extract, Anthemis nobilis (chamomile) extract, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, Limonene, Citric acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Dehydroacetic acid, Polyaminopropyl biguanide.




I have to say, it's never even crossed my mind to use a cream cleanser before. Especially not one consisting of ingredients such as cocoa butter and beeswax. I was a bit worried about the cocoa butter and beeswax blocking my pours...


So, having read countless raving reviews about Cleanse and polish, I finally got around to trying it myself. I'm going to do a skin diary with you, to see exacly how this product affects my skin. If you know my blog,  anything I choose to rave about, I really do like.

My skin
Before I start I should probably tell you my skin type (all though the product claims to be for all skin types and ages). I have oily/combination skin, with occational blemishes.


How do I use it?

I'll explain how it works before I get going too!
1) Fill your sink with hot water.
2) Use 1 pumps worth of of cleanser, gently massage all over your dry face (even if you have full make-up on) and eye area in circular motions.
3) Rinse out your muslin cloth on the hot water and "polish" the cleansing cream off your face. Keep rinsing out your cloth and using clean parts.
4) Rinse your face with cool water.
(Don't forget to wash you mouslin cloths)

Trial

Sunday night
I am no longer a Liz Earle virgin. That's right beauties...I've done it! Tonight is the first night of my Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser experience. I hadn't ever used a muslin cloth in conjunction with a cleanser. Nor had I ever applied cleanser to a dry face full of make-up, so it was all a very new experience.
The muslin cloth felt rather scratchy the first time I used it.
Honestly, I'm not sure how I feel after the first use. I thought after reading so many top-notch reviews that I would instantly fall in love. Hmmm, we shall see.


Tuesday
I'm still a little unsure of the product, but I have to say it smells absolutely divine - really natural and fresh. It's only day 3, I'll keep at it...


Thursday
I am definetly beginning to see the benifits that Liz Earle is bringing to my skin.
Now I have begun to look forward to my little routine, and using the cloth to scrape off every last scrap of make-up and feeling fresh as a daisy after the process.
It has actually become something I look forward to, especially at the end of the day. I really like this method of taking my make up off.
 My skin appears more even and much healthier, after only 5 days. I have had a couple of blemishes, but this is nothing unusual for me when trying out new skincare (beauty editor skin, eugh).

 
Friday
Although Cleans & Polish has taken a little longer in the mornings and evenings, I am really enjoying it now. My skin has started feeling so smooth and soft afterwards. I don't even feel the need to moisturise before I go to bed. Thumbs up!




So ladies, I've already seen a difference after only 6 days. My skin gleams after the cleansing and polishing. I'm going to keep at it though, and give you another review in a couple of weeks time.


Would I buy it?
I do think Liz Earle is lovely, affordable and beautifully packaged. I'm really enjoying using it so far but I'm going to continue to test the product before I tell you all to rush out and buy it (although it is lovely).


After reading so many reviews I know some people have had reactions to the product... perhaps if you just want to try the product out before purchasing the full sized bottle, there are travel-sized tubes available to buy for £4.75. The 100ml pump starter with two muslin cloths costs £12.75.

Tata beauties xx


#I was sent this product to review, curtisy of Liz Earle PR. However all opinions expressed are my own, honest :)





Thursday 22 September 2011

Holy Grail Fake Tan?

Tan Solutions Review Part 2

Hello there beauties,

here comes part 2 of my review (finally).  If you still haven't read part 1 yet, click here.


I love fake tan. Always have always will (shallow, huh?!). But, even I'll admit it takes a while to find one that's so amazing you simply can't live without. I have tried & tested various different fake tans over the years, but at the moment this particular brand comes a very close 2nd to my bestest (StTropez). Oh Em Geeeee I can't believe I said that.

Tan Solutions- self tan foam in fair to medium...

Self Tan Foam: Fair - Medium 150ml
 




Sorry, photos snapped last night in the dark bathroom with the iphone, not the best quality! I don't think you can see the colour properly, woops.


Application
I love mousse tan, I think it's the easiest and least messy method. Tan Solutions mousse application was super quick and easy. Tan Solutions provided me with a mitt, and although it was a little scratchy, it certainly did a good job. I was pretty much streak free and no orange hands. Wonderful.
The mousse lets you see exactly where you have and haven't applied. It dried quite quickly, actually a little to quickly, you have to even it out kind of fast!

Colour and Lasting
This tan has an olive undertone, and I think it is possibly the most natural looking fake tan I've used. This is actually realisticly the colour I would go if I'd been sunning myself in the Maldives for a weekend, if only! *sighs* 

I did find that after about 4 days I became patchy... it was bit tougher to keep on top of than my no 1 tan brand. If you are going to try this tan, I would say to top up about twice a week if you want to keep a nice even look, none of us want to look like TOWIE rejects :) 

I would reccommend this if you are looking for a very natural, and quite subtle tan, ladies.
The only downside (if you can call it a downside) is that it isnt available in shops, BUT you can order from their website- at the moment 20% off first order... and free delivery on orders over £20. 
                                    shop here

If I'm completley honest (and of course I am going to be) something still draws me back to St. Tropez. I am a creature of habit, and I am so used to the colour having used it for years. Tan Solutions would be my next choice though. If you are looking for a new holy grail tan, this may just be it.

What fake tan would you recommend? Will you be trying out Tan Solutions?

Tata for now beauties Xx



P.s Tips to get the most out of your tan

1) Everyone says to keep your tan lasting longer you must exfoliate before hand.
2) Moisturise! Before you fake tan apply a layer from head to toe paying particular attention to elbows and knees. Let it sink in before applying the your tan. This will mean that the product doesn't stick to drier patches and you will be an even colour.
3) Apply fake tan the day before- The colour always looks much better after a shower.
4) Be patient and don't put your clothes on before it is fully dry.
5)  Exfoliate skin, moisturise and re-apply to keep the tan going.



#I was sent this product to review, curtisy of @TanSolutionsuk however all opinions expressed are my own, honest :)





Won't let this city destroy our love...

Top of the morning to you Beauties!

I hope you've all had a spiffing week, oui?!
Mines been rather packed and I have sooo much to catch up on after a week of not posting, its rediculous...
Tan Solutions completed review...Liz Earle skincare diary...weekend in my hometown...
Expect a very picture heavy post for that last one beauties :)


I can't believe its nearly the end of September, how crazy is that? I always think September has a way of sneaking up on you, and all of a sudden its Autumn. It's always been one of my favourite months and it's nearly over already, boohoo.


Things I like about today...
I had breakfast from a square bowl, this makes me happy, I don't know why (sad I know).

My pooch Liza, waking up so spritley and excited(despite it being 5am).

The smell of a crisp autumn morning, after the rain.

Looking forward to yet another Mcdonalds lunchtime feast, I don't know why I'm not plump.

Early hometime- 4.30 *grins*

Discovering there is a MAC, Bare Essentials, Space NK, Urban Outfitters, and Office, seconds away from my office. NOT good for the old bank balance.


Things I don't like about today...
I had to wake up far too early, the moon and stars were still out when I left my flat this morning (1 really bright star, actually I kind of liked this, it can be in things I liked too!)

I seem to have developed sciatica (atleast I think that's what it is)... my bum and back hurt today, ouch.  

A picture I like today...


♥  Quotes I like today... (ooooh I do enjoy a good quote).

"I've learnt that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow".



"Let's be honest, all women want a Chanel bag"- Khris Kardashian



"There is a certain point in life when you get tired of chasing everyone & trying to fix everything. But it's not giving up, it's realising that you don't need certain people and their crap".




A song I like today...
Patrick Wolf- The City



A blog I like today...
Lucy the Lefty, (click here to view) Lucy-The-Lefty

I actually discovered this only this morning, it's super cute, everything from inspirational quotes to gardening tips, take a peek. 


Have a good day my darlings Xx