Friday 31 May 2013

REVIEW: Bourjois Cream Blush in 02




A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the launch of the new Bourjois Cream Blushers and on the 15th of May, they finally launched into Boots stores. I managed to get my hand on one of the new blushers in shade 02, Healthy Glow* which is described as "a vibrant and slightly pearly apricot pink." I did write about the formula on my original post but basically these blushers have a special cream to powder technology which gives off an incredibly natural healthy glow that lasts all day on the skin without separating. I've had this blush for a few days now and the formula is wonderful. It feels velvet to the touch and blends into the skin like a dream. As with all cream blushers, I was worried about this rubbing away my foundation and exposing my scarring but it didn't - if anything, it provided more coverage. It also doesn't slip off my skin or separate throughout the day. Shade 02 in particular is the most perfect natural pink colour that warms up the complexion. The packaging is also great as it's compact, pretty and even comes with a mirror. The blush itself also has the iconic rose scent that the original Bourjois blushers were infused with and this takes me right back to my childhood. I definitely need to get my hands on a few more of these as I've fallen in love with them - I just can't find a fault.
You can buy these here where they retail for £7.99 but at the moment, they're on offer for just £6.99! Have you tried these blushers yet? What are your thoughts on them?
xxx
*PR Sample
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Thursday 30 May 2013

My every day routines


























Now exams are finished and I pretty much have absolutely nothing to do, I've gotten into a few good routines that I wanted to share with you. I've always been good with skin care and that's something that I will never, ever slack on. However when it comes to looking after my body, it's something that I always used to skip over. I'd apply moisturiser before a night out and that's pretty much your lot for the week. But I've recently discovered a lovely moisturiser that makes moisturising a pleasure. I've also been looking after my feet a lot recently and I'm just putting together a foot care post so that will be up soon. As for hair, I've always enjoyed looking after my hair but recently I've become more religious with it. Probably because I've gotten into a good routine of only washing my hair a few times a week instead of every day. This means that my hair has "repaired" itself so now it doesn't turn greasy when I apply any kind of product - wahoo! 

Body:
Stylfile S-Ped Curved foot file & exfoliator* - £8.99
Ooh this is a little beauty! Invented by the winner of the 2011 Apprentice - already a wonder product in my eyes - this has been shaped to fit the contours of the feet to make filing and smoothing your feet easier than ever. It also catches any "droppings" so you don't end up with a messy floor. Think of it like a better designed Ped-Egg. It comes with a filing side and a smoothing side, both are replaceable and easy to use. This just makes looking after your feet a whole lot easier and it also does a wonderful job too.

Veet Hair Minimising Body Moisturiser - £5.25
I bought this in Boots a few week ago because it was in the Clearance section. I'm really hoping that it wasn't there because it's being discontinued as I've now found my favourite ever body moisturiser. This claims to minimise the appearance of body hair so that you don't have to shave as often. Normally, I have to shave my legs daily which is an absolute nightmare however, applying this daily means that I only have to do so every four days which is a marked improvement. The formula of this is also really lovely. It's light and smells really fresh - it almost reminds me of suncream which reminds me of summer. Definitely a win in my eyes.

Footner Hard Skin Removal Pen - £10.95
This is another product that I bought from the Boots Clearance section - they really should stop putting me upstairs for work as I just can't resist that little section. The pen idea is a bit of a gimmick. There is no need for it and it makes applying this harder than it should be. But the actual cream is wonderful. It really penetrates deeply into the skin and instantly smooths the feet. I use this on areas of my feet that require a little bit of extra love and attention particularly my toes as the pen makes applying it there easier.

Flexitol Heel Balm - £4.95
I didn't mean to include this one in my every day routine, I was supposed to include the Boots Maintenance Balm as that's the foot cream I use in the day. However, I'm now back at home so can't really re-photograph. I will be reviewing the Maintenance Balm in a foot care routine very soon. The Flexitol Heel Balm is the foot cream I use at night a few times a week as it's really intense. It instantly improves the condition of my feet and if you have badly cracked heels then you need to stop reading this blog post and go out and buy it right now. It's incredible.

Hair:
TIGI Bed Head Totally Baked Hair Meringue* - £13.50
Although my hair is long, I don't have a lot of it. It's incredibly fine and never holds volume or curls. I love using hair mousse as it gives my hair a little bit more "oomph." This one doesn't disappoint - I use it before blowdrying and it gives off the appearance that my hair is fuller. It also smells incredible. Lemon meringue is my all time favourite dessert and it reminds me of my childhood and that is exactly what this smells like - yum. The scent also lingers on your hair all day long and I've often been complimented on the smell. If you see me and you notice me wafting my hair around like I have neck cramp - I think I look like a model personally - you know that I've used this.

TIGI Bed Head Sugar Shock Bodifying Sugar Spray* - £12.50
This is another product that smells incredible and takes me back to my childhood. Do you remember those "Amazing Amy" dolls? For some reason, this reminds me of that smell. It's very sweet and it adds extra volume to your hair. It also adds texture so it makes curling my hair that little bit easier. I use this when I'm having a "I-can't-be-bothered-to-do-my-hair-today" day as it's quick and easy to use.

TRESemme Split Remedy Leave-In Treatment* - £5.69
My hair is really long and I don't get it cut as often as I should do - oops. So it's vital for me to take really good condition of my hair. I've been using the TRESemme Split Remedy range since it first came out but this is the only product that managed to stay in my collection. It helps to repair and keeps split ends at bay and I use this every single day without fail.

OSiS Magic Anti Frizz Shine Serum* - £9.75
Now that it's getting warmer - she said - my hair has started to get a bit fly away so I've been using this serum to smooth the ends of my hair down. I have oily hair so I have to be pretty careful with what products I use on it. This serum doesn't weigh my hair down nor does it make my hair greasy - a win, win in my eyes. I also love the price of this - you really don't need a lot so it's guaranteed to last you a long time.

Skin:
Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Exfoliating Facial Pads - £12.99
I've reviewed these before and I'll continue to sing their praises for as long as I exist. I've really gotten into acid exfoliation recently as I think it's a nicer way to exfoliate the skin. These facial pads instantly make the skin look brighter and slough away any rough patches of the skin. Since using them, I've noticed a reduction in my blemishes and the appearance of a few of my scars which is always a bonus. I use these every single morning as they clear up my congested skin. In fact, I've just repurchased them!

Eucerin Even Brighter Spot Corrector - £14.50
This is a new addition of mine and I will be doing full reviews of the Eucerin Even Brighter range. I use this twice a day on my scarring and although I haven't seen a major reduction in my scars yet, I enjoy using it. It has a bit of a chemical smell which is off putting but it feels very light on the skin - almost like a spot treatment cream. I apply this directly onto my most prominent scars as I'm not too bothered about the ones that are more faded - I'll sort those out another time.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo* - £13.00
This is a blogger favourite. I don't know how it does it but it makes the skin look smoother, clearer and brighter. It also helps to keep spots at bay and provides a great base for make up. I use it as a serum underneath my moisturiser and I have done for a few months now. With a combination of this and the Nip + Fab Facial Pads I've rarely had a breakout and both of them work really well and clearing and exfoliating my skin. Like the Nip + Fab pads, I repurchased this yesterday.

Eucerin Even Brighter Day Cream - £22.50
Like the Spot Corrector, I don't have much of an opinion on this yet as I've only just started using it. However, I love the way it feels on my skin - it's not greasy at all and it provides the right amount of moisturisation for my combination skin. It preps the skin for make up beautifully and my skin feels soft all day long. As of yet, I'm loving this day cream and if I see improvements in my scarring then it'll be perfect.

So there you have it. My most used and loved daily products. If you've done a post similar to this then please leave a link to it in the comments as I love reading what your number one loves are. Have you tried anything in my favourites? Are any of these your staples? Let me know!
xxx
*PR Sample
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Wednesday 29 May 2013

REVIEW: Bio-Oil


























Bio-Oil* is a product that I'm sure you have all heard of before. It's one of those multi-tasking cult beauty products that a lot of people will forever rave on about. This isn't my first time trying out Bio-Oil - I used it many, many years ago when the first signs of scarring started to appear on my face. However, it broke me out pretty badly and back then, I didn't understand the "purging" stage of skin care. In fact, I didn't know anything about skin care and believed that tons of spot-fighting ingredients that dried my skin out were the way forward. Big mistake. I have been trying this out for a good few months now and I'm pleased to say that it's become a staple in my routine. If you don't know, my scarring is pretty deep and I went to Harley Street last year for a skin check up where the lovely Lee Garratt from Freedomhealth told me that my scarring would never fully disappear. So I wasn't expecting miracles from Bio-Oil like I was when I was younger. I understand that my scarring will be there for a life but there's no harm in trying to soften and lighten my scars a little bit, is there? Bio-Oil has a unique formulation that has been designed to maximise the skin's elasticity which helps to prevent the appearance of skin blemishes such as stretch marks and scars. It uses ingredients such as vitamin A, E, Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary, Chamomile oils and the unique ingredient, Purcellin Oil™ which means the oil is dry and non-greasy. I think the word "oil" puts a lot of people off of this product. I do have combination skin so I was worried that this would make my skin shiny but like I said, it's a dry oil that is quickly absorbed into the skin and leaves the skin looking balanced. If you're someone who suffers with any skin blemishes then I'd highly recommend giving this a go. It's a great price and a nifty little product. You can buy Bio-Oil here where it retails for £8.99.
xxx
*PR Sample
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Tuesday 28 May 2013

Meet my May advertiser

A little while ago, I decided to start advertising on my blog. And this month, I've had my first advertiser. It's the lovely Lucy from "The Little Blush." I was delighted when she messaged me asking if she'd be able to advertise on my blog as I think she's such a wonderful girlie. Her blog is also fantastic, knowledgeable and her photography is to die for.
The Little Blush
"I'm Lucy, 20 and from the UK. I've been working in the beauty industry for five years, and I am a fully trained skin care specialist and make up artist. Over the last two years I've been making my way through the beauty journalism and social media industry - And have now decided to put all my knowledge I've picked up into one place and create my own blog that's a mix of beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I like to blog about good quality and affordable skin care and make up that's available on the high street. I've got a keen eye for a bargain, and love to share my top tips on looking good on a budget."

If you're interested in advertising on Bamboozle Beauty then please feel free to email me to book your space. I charge just £2 for the full month and you can see what's included in my advertising packaging here
xxx
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REVIEW: Naturally Made for You Whipped Mango Butter with grapefruit and lime


Ahh I love natural beauty products. Whenever I'm going back home, I always pop into my local LUSH and pick up a few of their bath bombs as there's nothing quite like a pink, foamy bath. Who says a 20 year old can't feel young, ey? My latest venture into the natural beauty world comes from the brand Naturally Made for You and I'm currently addicted to their best selling product: Mango Butter with Grapefruit & Lime.* Mango butter is known for being high in antioxidants and rich in vitamins so it's only right that it's included in this wonder product. When this butter is used daily it will help to "replenish, regenerate and rejuvenate your skin." Naturally Made for You also say that when used daily during pregnancy it will keep the skin supple and may help to prevent stretch marks. I've been slavering this all over my body daily as the scent is so energising and uplifting. The formula is also beautiful. It leaves the skin really soft and smooth and on first touch, it almost feels like an oil. Not a greasy oil but a lovely one that sinks into the skin and leaves it feeling and smelling delicious. A little bit of this goes a long while and my little 50g tub of this looks untouched although I've been using this daily. Have you tried anything from this brand before?
xxx
*PR Sample
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Monday 27 May 2013

REVIEW: KIKO Colour Shock long lasting eye shadow


L-R Fresh Mojito and Caribbean Turquoise

L-R Fresh Mojito and Caribbean Turquoise

L-R Caribbean Turquoise and Fresh Mojito







If you didn't already know KIKO Cosmetics have brought out a very beautiful Limited Edition Summer Collection and I've been lucky enough to get my hands on a few bits and pieces from it. This collection has been inspired by the colours and passion of Mexico "where women powerfully combine style and tradition." The Colour Shock Long Lasting Eyeshadow* is available in eight shades: Island Shimmer, Sunset Coral, Golden Earth, Decisive Stone, Fierce Violet, Lagoon Blue, Caribbean Turquoise* and Fresh Mojito*. All of which are pretty vibrant so they aren't for the faint hearted. The colours Caribbean Turquoise and Fresh Mojito are definitely "in your face" and something that I wouldn't wear on a day-to-day basis however when used as eyeliners, they're a lovely twist on your "classic eye." The colours themselves are absolutely beautiful, I've never seen anything quite like them. They're the perfect summer shades and the shimmer running through them emphasises the eyes and makes them glow. The eye shadows - well, they're cream eyeshadows - are waterproof and as the swatch above shows, extremely pigmented. They really easily apply and even easier to blend. The formula includes special filmogens which means that the colours won't gather in the crease of the eye and will last for hours. I'd also like to give a special mention to the packaging of these eye shadows - it's adorable! Incredibly classy, expensive-looking and practical - the lids fasten very tightly which means that they won't dry out in a couple of months. Have you tried anything from their Summer Collection? Or from the brand itself? You can view the whole collection here
xxx
*PR Sample
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Sunday 26 May 2013

REVIEW: KIKO Perfect Eyes Duo Highlighter Pencil





The KIKO Perfect Eyes Duo Highlighter Pencil* is one of those products that although it's subtle, it completely changes and enhances your make up look. It's a double-ended highlighter pencil that comes in two different finishes: matte and pearl. I usually use the matte end on my waterline as it makes the eyes look brighter, wider and bigger - who doesn't what that?! The matte end is a cream off-white colour much like the MAC Chromographic pencils. The pearl end is one that I tend to use to highlight my eyes and if you've been looking at my recent eye make up Instagram's then this will be the highlighter you can see in them. It reminds me a little bit of Urban Decay's Sin shadow as it's a beautiful champagne pale pink colour. The two ends of the pencil glide onto the lids/waterline and stays put all day - much like the KIKO Vivid Eyes pencil* which I reviewed here. As mentioned earlier, this pencil is essentially a dupe of both the MAC Chromographic pencil and Urban Decay's Sin eyeshadow in one and for a tiny fraction of the price. It's one of those products that once you've tried it and discovered it, you won't look back. And I certainly haven't as I use this every day without fail.
You can buy this eye pencil here and it retails for £6.90. Have you tried this highlighting duo before?
xxx
*PR Sample
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      Saturday 25 May 2013

      ghd IV Mint Professional Styler in Mint







      When I saw that Hannah from Cosmetic Crave was selling a brand new pair of these beauties, I quickly snapped them up. I didn't exactly need new straighteners, I'd had mine for a little while and they still worked like a dream. But I couldn't say no to new ones. I'd been after the yellow ones from the candy collection for a while but I could never justify spending £110 on something that I didn't need. So when I saw that these ones were available for £50, it was almost impossible for me to say no. These are essentially just ghd's that look pretty. There's no difference in the way that they work aside from the fact that they have a sleep mode which my previous ghd's didn't have. They're ceramic heaters, have a universal voltage, a round barrel (perfect for curls and flicks) and a 2.8m swivel cord. They glide over the hair and straighten it in an instant. They're an absolute pleasure to use and at times, I just stare at them. Just sit there and stare because they're that beautiful - yes, I'm a strange one! I wouldn't recommend any other hair straightener other than ghd's as I think they're pretty much perfect. They look great and they perform even better. You can buy these straighteners here and they retail for £110.
      What hair straightener would you recommend? Do you own a pair of ghd's?
      xxx
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      Friday 24 May 2013

      Instagram [11]


















      A small section of my make up collection | Throwback Thursday - dancing on the beach to the Spice Girls | Yummyyy, Fabulous Praline Fingers | Friends | Relaxing with my foot spa | I get to see my baby next week | Snapchatting with Anna | Couldn't resist this t-shirt | Best girlies | The best ice cream, ever | Before a night out | My new bracelets | I've taught him well | Selfie | Eucerin skin care - hopefully will soften my scarring | Me and Craig | My cat | New dress

      Hey lovelies! How are you all? This week has been pretty interesting. I finished my second year of university on Monday - eeek, scary right? I had one of the hardest exams of my life. It was pre-released which meant I had to teach myself an awful lot, memorise it and scribble down three essays in two hours - phew, thank god that's over! After that, I've just been chilling out, catching up with friends and generally being a lazy student. I'm working tomorrow though which I'm pretty excited about. I only usually work on Sundays but four months off means that I'm going to end up quite bored so I've asked for a few extra shifts if possible. I'm going back home next week for a few days to see my family, my cat and also to go shopping at Westfield Derby. In case you didn't know, I was gifted a gift card a few weeks ago as a thank you and it's been burning a hole in my pocket. I can't wait to finally spend it and treat myself after a hard year at university. 
      I hope you've all had a lovely week and I shall see you soon.
      xxx
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      Thursday 23 May 2013

      REVIEW: Nourish Argan Skin Rescue Treatment

      It's no secret that I'm an avid skin care user. I'm the girl that gets home at 4am after a night out and will make sure that she does everything in her power to ensure her skin is properly cleansed, no matter how drunk I am. As someone who has suffered with bad skin - and is still paying the consequences of that with my scarring - I know how important a good skin care routine is. And that's why I'm constantly on the look out for great skin care products to share with you. In fact, skin care was the main reason I started this blog. The Nourish Argan Skin Rescue Treatment* is something that I've been using for a little while now. It is described as being a natural collagen enhancer which aims to protect the skin from the signs of ageing and restore skin when it's in distress. The active ingredients inside of it aim to combat the formation of wrinkles by strengthening the protein bonding structures - pretty fancy, right? The reason that I was so interested in this treatment was being it's supposed to reduce blotchiness and scarring that has been associated with injury, eczema, psoriasis and of course, acne. My scarring is pretty bad. It's very prominent on my skin and when I'm not covered in make up, my skin looks absolutely awful. Now, I haven't noticed any major improvement in my scarring - that takes time, especially because my scarring is pretty deep. But what I have noticed is an improvement in my skin tone. My overall skin looks brighter and clearer since using. I pop a little bit on a couple of times a week at night time - I can't apply it all the time because I have combination skin and this is pretty nourishing. It's absorbed into the skin nicely and when I wake up in the morning, my skin looks fresh.  I've really enjoyed using this and it's a nice treat that my skin seems to love every few days.
      Have you tried anything from the brand Nourish? You can buy this treatment here and it retails for £18.95.
      xxx
      *PR Sample
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      Wednesday 22 May 2013

      REVIEW: Colour Me Fragrances




      Last month, I was sent four fantastic fragrances over to try out and it's safe to say that one of them in particular hasn't left my body since. Perfume tends to be expensive, there's no doubt about that. I either ask for some for my birthday or use my Boots Advantage Card points to treat myself however, Milton-Lloyd create low cost fragrances as they don't advertise. Milton-Lloyd is a family business that was established in 1975 and now, they have a large global distribution. They also have a 6 hour guarantee. 

      This fragrance is for men and when I go back home from university, I'll be handing it over to my dad. It has "top notes of ruby mandarin orange, grapefruit and peppermint with aromatic herbs and a rich heart of rose absolute, cinnamon and spices on a tenacious base of warm leathery and exotic patchouli, white woods and amber." I'm not very good at describing scents, nevermind masculine ones but this one reminds me of my favourite fragrance which is Paco Rabanne's Black XS. It's really warm and inviting but not in a way that's overpowering.

      This is another men's fragrance that I'll be passing over to my dad - he's a lucky one, isn't he?! This has "sparkling citrus top notes of grapefruit, melon and mandarin on a fresh aromatic heart of rosemary, thyme and English lavender. The base notes have quality white musks and tonka beans enhanced with tenacious patchouli and vetiver." Like I mentioned above, I'm no good at describing scents as it is but this one settles down on the skin really nicely. It's not as in your face as most masculine scents and would be perfect for the daytime.

      This is a women's fragrance and it's described as "an elegant rich modern fruity chypre fragrance. The fresh top notes of bergamot and watermelon are boosted by a subtle floral accord of pretty jasmine, rose and violet notes. The dry down is a tenacious blend of oakmoss, amber and precious patchouli woods." This perfume is the perfect night time scent as it's really warm, captivating and alluring. Two sprays is enough to allow the fragrance to envelope your entire body and the 6 hour guarantee is correct as I've been able to smell this after a night out.

      Oh I have saved the best until last. This feminine fragrance is just, it's all female. "White rose petals and almond blossom nestle around a joyous bouquet of geranium, heliotrope and lilies. This enveloping, romantic perfume scintillates the senses and dries down to a warm, alluring subtle aroma of vanilla and musks." The best way to describe this would be to say that it's Barbie in a bottle. I've already a third of the way through this bottle as it smells so delicious. I've been complimented so many times on it and the smell is really comforting. It's not as warm as the Colour Me Purple but it's still sexy and inviting because of the vanilla. It has more of a sweet, musky smell to it. I just love it. It's perfect.

      The packaging of these fragrances - and the names - might not be all that but don't let that put you off. Behind the packaging are delicious fragrances and one has even become a new favourite of mine. When I first saw these perfumes and noticed the price I was a little bit sceptical as 90ml retails for just £9 but I can assure you that they're great quality fragrances that last well, smell well and although they're EDT, they're still powerful and a couple of sprays is more than enough for the entire day/night.
      You can view the entire Colour Me range here. Have you ever tried some perfumes from Milton-Lloyds before? Will you be doing so? Which one of the above has captured your eyes the most?
      xxx
      *PR Sample
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      Tuesday 21 May 2013

      REVIEW: James Read Sleep Mask Tan

      Sorry if you're not a fan of this picture, just thought I'd try something new!

      You know when you find a product and it's "the one?" That's what happened when this little beauty wormed its way into my life. Either I'm uneducated when it comes to the world of beauty or this product is extremely innovative because I've never heard or seen anything like it before. The James Read Sleep Mask Tan* combines overnight skin beautifying ingredients with a touch of self-tan. This mask - which is lightweight and feels cooling like a gel/serum on the skin - is infused with skincare essentials like aloe vera, cucumber, hyaluronic acid and red algae. Oh I mentioned it. The little wonder that is hyaluronic acid. Whenever I hear that precious ingredient my ears always perk up. All of these ingredients work together to moisturise and soothe the skin overnight while the self-tan ingredients guarantee that you wake up with a subtle glow in the morning. I was a little bit sceptical about this product. When I first read the press release I thought to myself; "well this is just too good to be true" but after trying it out for a few weeks, I'm honestly in love. When I wake up in the morning, my skin doesn't look greasy and dull like it usually does. Instead, it looks awake, glowy and ready to face the day. I've been using this a couple of times a week to top up my tan. If you're an avid fake tanner than you'll know that the tan on your face wears away a lot quicker than that on your body so this is great for ensuring your face isn't white while your body is orange. It's really easy to use too. You just smooth it over your face and neck, working it up to the hairline and blending as you go. It doesn't leave any tan marks on your pillows - and I have white pillows so I'd know - and it doesn't leave your hands - or face! - looking like something an oompa loompa would be proud of. This is one of those products that is a dream and just makes life that tiny bit easier.
      The James Read Sleep Mask Tan* is available here and it retails for £25. Have you tried this product out before? Will you be doing so?
      xxx
      *PR Sample
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      REVIEW: KIKO Sun Pearl Nail Lacquers

      L-R Amable Chartreuse, Blue Spot

      L-R Amable Chartreuse, Blue Spot etc

      Oh it's that time again. Another post where I rave about the wonders of KIKO Cosmetics. I think I'm actually going to go on a search to try and find a bad product from the brand because as of yet, I've been incredibly impressed. If you didn't already know KIKO Cosmetics have brought out a very beautiful Limited Edition Summer Collection and I've been lucky enough to get my hands on a few bits and pieces from it. This collection has been inspired by the colours and passion of Mexico "where women powerfully combine style and tradition." In this collection are the Sun Pearl Nail Lacquers* which come in four different shades: Amable Chartreuse, River Green, Blue Spot and Chilli Pepper Red. When I first saw these colours, I was a little bit shocked. When you think of summer nail colours, you think of bright pinks, yellows, oranges etc. Not green and blue shades. But these Nail Lacquers have truly captured the essence of Latin America and I believe that they work so well. Each Lacquer comes with a special gold pearl throughout it which gleams in the light and really brings the colours alive. The Lacquers themselves are opaque in two coats and they dried quicker than most. The shades are really vibrant and glossy and when they're on my nails, I can stop staring at them. My favourite shade has to be Amable Chartreuse. It's like nothing I own and I've never seen a shade like it before. In fact, it's all that has been on my nails since receiving these polishes. I also have my eye on Chilli Pepper Red which looks like a lovely twist on the classic red.
      Have you tried anything from their Summer Collection? Or from the brand itself? You can view the whole collection here
      xxx
      *PR Sample
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      Monday 20 May 2013

      What I wore on my eyes

















      The other day, I posted an outfit of the night post - which you can find here - and before I went out, I posted  this image on Instagram. It received a few positive comments and a lot of people wanted to know how I did my eye make up so I thought I'd do a blog post about it. I used a few colours from the Sleek Storm palette which I've had in my collection for a while now. I have two of them and I'm selling one in my blog sale if you're interested - shameless plug there. Since the arrival of Naked palettes, many others have taken a back seat so when I went out the other night, I whipped my old love out and was pleasantly surprised. I'm sure most people have owned a Sleek palette in their lifetime but if you haven't, let me tell you this: the quality of the eyeshadows are outstanding. They're pigmented, soft and really easily to blend. They're a pleasure to work with. The Storm palette is definitely my favourite and I purchased it three years ago which set off my love for eyeshadows - I owe it a lot. I wouldn't say it's a definite dupe for the Naked palette but it does come with both shimmery and matte eyeshadows and all of them are different variations of nudes. If you're a make up addict, you can't be without this palette. I used the Seventeen liner as my eyeliner as it's very easy to use and lasts all night and then finished with the Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara which gives me fluttery full lashes.
      Have you tried the Sleek Storm palette before? What's your favourite eyeshadow combination?
       xxx
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      Sunday 19 May 2013

      Instagram [10]

      Night out | Birthday cake | Selfie | My photographs published in the Lincolnshire Echo | Sam & I | My new phone case, thanks sibling! | I got a little bit too excited when I saw Niall in the cinema | Nandos | Me and my cat | Ratchett, I miss him | I won an award for the top goalscorer (I didn't, I stole it from my friend) | I want to be ill so I can be sent this card | Another selfie | My most expensive lipsticks - I don't dare use them | Another selfie


























      An old photo of my favourite playsuit | My cat again | My pen that my sister bought me \ I get way too excited whenever I see the postman | My folder than my sister bought me - I use it for press releases | My new earrings. Once again, my sister bought them me | My eye make up. I will be doing a post on this | OOTD, cinema and then Nandos | Britney with her boys | My outfit of the night | Finally, Bumble & Bumble products! | Superdrug's Naturally Radiant balm 

      Hey lovelies. Just a quick one today as I have an exam tomorrow so should be revising. It's my last exam, thank god but it's a hard one. It's a pre-release which means I already have my questions however, it's all based on our own research so basically we have to write three essays all from memory on topics we've researched in the past two weeks. I don't know about you guys but my memory cannot remember three essays as quickly as that - it's a nightmare. But as long as I pass, that'll do. I went out on Friday night as it was my sister's best friend's birthday on the Saturday so at midnight, she turned 20 which was exciting. The next day, we went to Nando's and to see Iron Man 3 which was incredible. I can't believe I've waited so long to see the film. Just a little reminder for you too, I have four spaces left for advertising in June and I've lowered the price to just £1 per month. So if you're interested, you can find out more information here. I've also been updating my blog sale a fair bit so you can have a look at that here. Hopefully you've all had a lovely week. What have you been doing?
       xxx
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      Saturday 18 May 2013

      REVIEW: KIKO Limited Edition Summer Collection cheek products

      L-R Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose,  Glow Touch lips & cheeks in Icy Watermelon

      Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose

      Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose

      Glow Touch lips & cheeks in Icy Watermelon

      L-R Glow Touch lips and cheeks in Icy Watermelon, the highlight from the Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose, the bronzer from the Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose, the blush from the Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose and the Sun Bronzing Blush all sweeped together

      Yikes - such a nasty close up shot of my skin but look at that glow! Wearing the Sun Bronzing Blush in Crystal Rose
      KIKO Cosmetics have brought out a very beautiful Limited Edition Summer Collection and I've been lucky enough to get my hands on a few bits and pieces from it. First up, I'm going to show you two beautiful cheek products which I've absolutely fallen in love with. This collection has been inspired by the colours and passion of Mexico "where women powerfully combine style and tradition." The packaging to start off with is gorgeous and the images really do not do it justice. The Sun Bronzing Blush is encased an expensive-looking flip top case which has a good sized mirror inside it and the Glow Touch lips & cheeks comes in a very handy pot which is fastened tightly to ensure that the product doesn't dry out. 

      I've been raving about this on Twitter and Instagram since I received it last week. Not only is the packaging to die for but the product itself is incredible and it's quickly become my favourite blush. The blush comes in four different colours: Marine Coral, Crystal Rose, Brick Mandarin and Mariachi Pink and I'm highly considering buying them all. They each come with three complementary shades that sweep together to create the perfect balance of radiance, colour and glow. Crystal Glow combines a dusty pink blush with a Barbie pink highlighter and a medium toned bronzer which when they're all sweeped together creates a gorgeous, natural looking flush of colour. As if all of this wasn't perfect enough, the blush itself is fragranced with a delicate vanilla scent which reminds me of summer. In fact, I've found myself grabbing this out of my collection and having a quick whiff of it every now and then - oops. I might need help. 

      This is the first ever cream blush product I've used and I'm pleasantly surprised. The reason that I've shyed away from cream blushers before is because I've been scared that they would essentially remove my foundation and concealer which would expose my scarring but this little baby didn't do that. This blush comes in six different shades including: Bitter Margarita, Icy Watermelon, Lucky Flamingo, Pleasant Pink Azalea, Spicy Chocolate and Ginger Twist. Icy Watermelon looks a little bit scary in the pan as it's a pinky coral colour but when worked into the skin it provides a natural looking flush of colour. The great thing about this blush is that you can build up the intensity which you require and it's also easy to blend and work with. I believe that this works just as well on the cheeks as it does the lips and its non-sticky textures works in harmony with the skin to provide a radiant finish with a glossy and dewy shine. This duo also comes with the same vanilla scent as the Sun Bronzing Duo which is definitely a bonus.

      As always, I've fallen in love with these two KIKO products and at the moment, KIKO can't do anything to disappoint me. I have a few more products from their Limited Edition Summer Collection to review and a few other bits and bobs from their permanent line so if KIKO is a brand that you're interested in, keep an eye out for those. I'm just praying that we started seeing KIKO stores around the UK sometime soon. There are a few of them around London but it'd be nice for this wonderful brand to grow. I'm also not a big fan of ordering offline so to have a KIKO stand in my local Boots? Well, that'd be heaven for my collection but a nightmare for my bank balance.
      Have you tried anything from their Summer Collection? Or from the brand itself? You can view the whole collection here
      xxx
      *PR Sample
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