Monthly Archives: December 2013

Beauty Box Favourites #1

21st December 2013
Considering how much makeup I own I should probably do more beauty based posts. I don’t own just a makeup bag full but a full on makeup box (one of those fold out cases) crammed to bursting with the stuff. It might not come through on the blog that much but I’m a beauty junkie and as I’ve been off sick and had time to play I’ve got back in to doing my makeup to the best of my ability.
Here are a few of my current favourite products. Well, more than a few but who’s counting?
Collection Glam Crystals Eyeliner in Hustle (here) tis the season for all things sparkly after all!
Beauty UK eyeshadow primer- one of the best I’ve tried on a budget.
Oriflame Master Curl Mascara– just brilliant for long, curled lashes.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW13- the best match I’ve found for my skin and gives just the right coverage for me. I know some people don’t rate MAC’s foundation but I love it.
Clinique Blended face powder in Translucent (here) Pricey yes, but a year on I still have over half left so a worthy investment for me.
Simple Kind to Skin+ Illuminating Radiance Cream- I use this as a base for my makeup and get so many compliments on my skin.
Benefit Sugarbomb Blusher (here) I’ve had this for years now- you can tell by the packaging. It gives such a gorgeous glow to my cheeks and lasts forever, I use it more than any blusher and I’m yet to hit pan.
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick. A recent discovery after working up to it since the release. I love this vibrant hot pink.
Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in Vert Khaki (here) the most expensive eyeshadow I own, this was a real treat around my Birthday but I love the silky application and gorgeous every day neutral colour of this. A repurchase even if I have to save for months. I wear this most days.
Benefit High Beam. I didn’t think I’d buy in to the hype of this but I caved when I had a giftcard once and haven’t looked back. If I could only have one beauty product this would be it. It makes me look instantly alive.
Oriflame Eyebrow Kit – a new addition and new essential.
What are your current favourite beauty products?
xxx
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Beauty Brilliance- Oriflame Eyebrow Kit

20th December 2013
Since I’ve been on sick leave I’ve really got back in to doing my makeup and trying new beauty products. I was recently sent this Eyebrow kit by one of my favourite beauty brands, Oriflame. I’m yet to find a product that’s dissapointed me so I had high hopes for this one!
The kit is dinky and discreet containing everything you need for perfectly groomed brows. You get two brow shadows and a setting wax as well as two dinky little brushes and a mirror, all for £7.95. Bargain.
I have quite full brows that have a tendency to be a bit unruly and sparse in places. I found the dinky brushes a bit awkward so used a bigger brow brush (I use one by Real Techniques) to fill in the gaps and create a more defined shape. I actually used my fingers to apply the wax which held the shape perfectly without smudging the added colour. The overall effect was subtle, which I loved. I just looked that bit more finished and groomed- an effect I always aspire to but never quite achieve. 

Yes, I do look awfully tired.
So in short, yet another winner from Oriflame. If you’re yet to check the brand out then I suggest you do so with haste.
What products do you swear by for that finished look?
xxx

Posted in beauty, oriflame, review

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The A-Z of Christmas with La Redoute

19th December 2013
With the festive season undeniably in full swing La Redoute have come up with a festive French Themed A-Z.
I’ve popped a word below that sums up the Christmas period for many. To see the entire (and brilliant) A-Z you can click here.

What words would you have included?
I’m totally craving Yule Log now.
xxx

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Oh, Accessoryo

19th December 2013

Hat c/o Accessoryo
Dress: River Island at ASOS
Lace top: C&A 
Boots c/o Shoe Zone
This winter has totally seen me turn in to a mad hat lady. I ignored them for so many years mainly because I always wore my hair tied back, now it’s pretty much always down hats don’t only keep my head warm but keep my hair out of my face. Hence wearing them indoors too (told you I was mad!)
I’m currently obsessed with this Pearl Beanie I was sent from Accessoryo recently. The colour goes with everything and it’s so warm, it also has just the right amount of head space (if that makes any sense) meaning it sits just how I like my hats to. I wasn’t overly familiar with Accessoryo before this post but they are a bit of a hidden gem, need winter warmers? Laddered all of  your tights? Want a scarf for your bloke so he stops stealing yours? This is the place.
Talking of hidden gems, why do I keep forgetting about this dress? I should wear it more. I like how swishy the midi length is. I can twirl around to my heart’s content. The quality of the photos pretty much sums up the quality of this week’s weather. The photos were taken near 11am and it was still half dark outside.
Oh well,
6 days until Christmas and I go back to work in 4…I can’t complain!
What are your favourite winter accessories?
xxx

Posted in accessories, outfits

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I Lied- One Last Gift Guide

18th December 2013
In search of a few last minute Christmas gifts, I recently came across the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Christmas online shop and wanted to share my findings. I was pleasantly surprised to find so many cute gifts for under a tenner. The products are all really tasteful and have a vintage feel about them. The website is particularly good if you are struggling with gift ideas for any friends or family that love baking and gardening. The best part is that buying something from their shop helps the charity continue their fight to beat blood cancer, which is a cause I can certainly get behind. Here are some of my favourite charity gifts:




I love hot chocolate and have a sweet tooth, so this Devilishly Different Drinking Fudge kit had me at hello! The idea of melting all of these amazing flavours with marshmallows is just heaven. A present for myself I think at £14.95.



I have a friend who loves making cupcakes so this Christmas Cupcake Kit is perfect for her and under a tenner at £9.95. Even better, I might get to eat them when she is done. They have a whole range of items in a similar design so you could also add a cute apron or matching tea towels if you wanted to make it a bigger gift.



You could also pair the cupcake kit with this cute Vintage Tea Party picture and recipe book. So many of my friends love anything vintage and we all like to eat tea and cake right? So, this one is bound to please your friends at just £9.95. 



Unfortunately you can’t eat these but they will make you smell yummy! This Luxury Bath Melt Collection is made by an environmentally friendly company. This coupled with the fact that you are giving to charity makes this the most angelic gift going. This should get you some brownie points with your Mum or Grandma. That and what lady doesn’t love a good bath? Only £13.95.



This one is sure to be a winner for Uncles, Dads and Granddads everywhere. Whisky and cake combined, what more can they ask for? This Whisky Cake is a bargain at just £13.95.

There are so many more quality gifts available. 100% of the profits go towards beating blood cancer and their lifesaving blood cancer research, so please do take a look and support a good cause while you’re shopping for Christmas. 
I would also be interested to hear about any of your favourite gift choices for Christmas, so please feel free to post your comments.
xxx

Posted in charity, christmas, gifts

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