June Empties - Better late than never!

• Philosophy Field of Flowers 3 in 1 shower gel and body moisturiser - I am such a Philosophy girl! I got these little beauties as a gift and they were so handy for travel.  Whilst 'Field of Flowers' is not my favourite scent from the Philosophy stable, it's a pretty light floral that would work with any fragrance you would choose to apply afterwards.  You know what I'm going to say, don't you?  I've got a tonne of these to use, so I won't be repurchasing just yet.
• Dolce and Gabanna 'The One' EDP - Who knew this would sneak up there to become a top fragrance for me in 2012? But it has! I bought it in a Boxing Day Bargain sale in 2010 as it was something I wanted to try.  Now I have finished this bottle, I'm struggling to justifying not repurchasing immediately.  I have quite a perfume stash to go through.  It is certainly back on my lust list. 
• Benefit 'So Hooked on Carmella' EDT - Really enjoyed this one too. Super sweet vanilla with a twist of fruit.  Not in a massive rush to repurchase, though.
• Revlon Photoready perfecting primer - I found this to be a decent high street primer. Will probably repurchase at some point in the future.
• Lacura Shimmering Face Cream - Fairly basic moisturiser with a definite shimmer. However, use too much and you look like a one of the Cullen's. Probably won't repurchase.
• No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion exfoliator - Love! Love! Love! Have already busted out the back up.
• Benefit Posie Tint - I liked using Posie.  I also have Benetint and more recently acquired Cha-Cha. Will probably repurchase at some point, when I have used a few other bits up.
• Philosophy Vanilla Ice Cream 3 in 1 shower gel - Mmmmm vanilla! What's not to like? Will repurchase when required...well that should be about 2015 then!
• Calvin Klein 'Contradiction' EDP - My signature scent. I adore this perfume, although I am beginning to think they are getting rid of it. Good job I have 4 100ml unopened bottles stashed away. Clever me!
• L'Occitane Sweet Almond liquid soap - Not usually a soap fan, but used this as a hand wash and loved it. The almond scent is warm but not overpowering. Have a new bottle (from a TSV) ready to make an appearance in my bathroom.
• MOP Pear Detangler - I got this for The Boy, but enjoyed using it too. Love anything Pear scented. Can't say that it made a massive difference to my long hair, but I liked the scent.  Plus he liked it, so that was the important thing. 
• The Body Shop Blissful Body Cleanser - Did not like this at all! This huge 200ml bottle was £2 in TBS sale and I can see why.  I found it really difficult to wash off, it didn't really lather and it I wasn't fussed on the scent. Won't be repurchased, even for £2!!
• Hugo Boss 'Deep Red' body moisturiser and perfumed shower gel - Yay! Look at me using up the perfumed mini's.  I like the perfume, but that is long since gone. Glad I'm finally using these up. It bothers me that I used to just let them languish in my stash. 
• Philosophy Surfer Girl lip shine - Lovely Papaya scented lip-shine. Have loads more, so won't immediately repurchase. 
• Philosophy Microdelivery exfoliating wash - A bit ambivalent about this. I don't think it does very much for my skin. It's not scrubby enough for me and the scent kind of puts me off. Won't repurchase. 
• The Body Shop Mango hand cleanse gel -  TBS attempt at Bath & Body Works. Decent enough and became a desk staple. Smelt like Mango margaritas. Will repurchase when I can't replenish my B&BW Pocket-Bac's.
• Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Pocket-Bac - Loved this scent! Super handy to throw in my bag. If I can get this again, I will. Same goes for...
• Bath & Body Works Mistletoe Kiss Pocket-Bac - Yes, I loved this one too. Although a little more citrus than I'd like. Love Pocket-Bac's.

Top 11 of 2011

• L'Occitane Shea Butter hand cream - I cannot say enough good things about this hand cream.  I'm a big fan of pretty much all of the L'Occitane hand creams, but there is just something about this one.  Thick, creamy and incredibly moisturising, this is an absolute year round staple for me.  Even the Mothership is a convert - and for someone who is not remotely interested in Beauty/Skincare, that takes some doing!
• Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in Pop - I have seen these Watercolour Blushes for a while and wondered what they would be like, but never actually got around to purchasing.  Then in the Summer, Escentual.com launched a limited edition shade 'Pop' with £5 of every purchase going to Macmillan Cancer Support. Say no more, I logged on and purchased. Wow, I'm so glad I did.  Never mind the warm fuzzy feeling that you get for donating to a fantastic charity, it made me look pretty good too! Well, as good as I ever look.  It looks beyond terrifying  in the bottle.  But once you squeeze a single drop (and I truly mean a single, solitary drop!) of this watermelon liquid onto your hand and blend into the apples of your cheek, you'll notice an amazingly natural flush, that stays put all day.  Some days, I use it as a base before applying a powder blusher. Good news is that you can still purchase 'Pop'  here  I think I'll have to order a backup and try out other colours in the range. 
• Sephora Mineral Powder brush - has been my foundation brush of choice since June 2010 Purchased from Sephora in Times Square, on the most fantastic trip to New York for my 30th Birthday.  I've used this brush every single day since and it's still perfect.  Its never shed, gone weird when I wash it, nothing.  Its just perfect, every single time.  I love it.  Enough said.
• Revlon ColorStay- my HG foundation. Great coverage, fantastic longevity, amazingly cheap price.
• MAC Fix + - has become a staple in my daily routine. I spray my Sephora foundation brush with it prior to applying ColorStay to ensure a flawless application.  Can also be used as a facial mist/setting spray.
• Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP  -  was my Birthday present from Nic and what a pressie.  Absolutely love it. Always get comments when I'm wearing it.  Sexy,  grown up and the complete antithesis of me! The beginnings of my lust with Tom Ford - you mark my words. 
• Alpha H Liquid Gold - talked about this a million times over. Love. It. Thank you again Mrs Hirons
• Benefit They're Real mascara - another birthday present, this time from Ames. Literally does what it says on the tin.  Gives length, volume and definition to even the most puny lashes. My two issues with it are the price (roughly about £18 a pop) and the fact that it is a complete bugger to get off!!  That being said, I will certainly re-purchase after I have waded through my stash of mascara. I have accumulated a fair few mascara's in 2011, most of which are new to me and I'm challenging myself not to purchase mascara in 2012. 
• Urban Decay Primer Potion - love this in all its many guises. Original, Sin, Eden and Greed. Love them all.  Changed eye shadow for me - forever!
• Avon Supershock (black) and Prestige Total Intensity (brown) eyeliners - if I don't use one, I use the other.  Great basic black/brown eyeliners.  Supershock is fairly easy to get hold of from the Avon website, but the Prestige Total Intensity is going to prove a little more difficult to source.
• Urban Decay Naked Palette - what is there to say that hasn't already been said a million times over?  A great palette of neutrals. Perfect eye make up every time, from the subtlest wash of colour and definition for daytime, to the sootiest smoky eye for evening.  Didn't think it could get any better, then Urban Decay launched Naked 2 in the States and soon to appear in the UK.  The Boy purchased the Naked palette for me last year and has kindly offered to furnish me with the Naked 2 palette. I'm seriously one lucky girl.

What products did you love in 2011?

Benefit - They're Real! Mascara

How lucky am I?  My gorgeous friend Amy (@SalsaAmy) sent me a belated birthday pressie that made me squeal with excitement.  The much hyped Benefit They're Real! mascara was gifted to me last Saturday and I couldn't have been happier.  I've been wanting to give this a try since I saw the reviews flooding the blogsphere and YouTube.  

The wand is amazing! Like an instrument of torture from Medieval times.  The inclusion of the spiky ball at the tip (think Givenchy Phenomen'eyes) helps to lift and define each individual lash.  I've used it for a few days this week and so far I love it. Do I love it more than anything else? Only time will tell.  I have had a crazy time at work and have been experiencing mammoth work days of 12 hours plus and I've still managed to look pretty presentable when I've finally managed to escape the office.  Well, as presentable as I ever am! 

Amy asked for a full review. It appears that I am the product guinea pig, before Amy makes a purchase for herself.  I have no problem with that whatsoever!! hehe.  Promise to report back Ames and thank you again lovely! x 

The Weight of the (Cosmetic) World on your Shoulders

I found an abandoned Radley lurking about the house last week.  One I hadn't used since I got my Dora just after Christmas.  I was about to put it back in the little pink dustbag, when I thought - this feels a bit heavy?! Upon further inspection, the contents of my bag can be found here. This is quite clearly an extreme case. I usually end up orphaning a lip gloss or two during the great handbag change, but nothing usually to this extent. On the plus side, I've found lots of MIA make up and it's now returned to proper circulation. 

My Mother is always telling me that my handbag is too heavy and that I am going to damage my neck and back.  And right now, I agree with her.  Why I was carrying all this stuff round with me was quite beyond me!

Firstly, you know I'm obsessed with lip gloss, lip balms, lip stains.... and now lipsticks. But why oh why did I have 10 different lip products with me?? 1 lip balm, 4 lip stains, 2 lipsticks, 2 lip glosses and a lip tar. Any ideas? No, I'm flummoxed too!  In fairness, the 3 unopened Cover Girl lip stains (extreme right of the picture) came from my friend who had been home to Texas, So I can discount them...can't I?

Then came the Bare Escentuals foundation and the Well Rested eye shadow along with a BE Flawless Face and Concealer brush.

My finale was a Max Factor Miracle Touch cream blush and a Sleek Rose Gold powder blusher. Basically, I could have applied a full make-up (minus mascara) from what was left unloved and untouched in my handbag.

This is indeed a shameful tale. Please tell me that someone else does this, or I'm going to feel really bad!!

The Scent of a Woman: Benefit So Hooked on Carmella

Benefit So Hooked on Carmella is a fairly new addition to my ever expanding perfume collection.  I got it from vouchers that the MIL and FIL gave me for my birthday. It was one of those scents that I couldn't quite decided if I liked it or not.  I sprayed it every time I went into Boots and in the end I succumbed and got it.

So hooked on Carmella features:

Top notes of lemon, grapefruit and rhubarb. 

Middle notes of cyclamen, peony and tiare flower.

Bottom notes of vanilla, sandalwood and amber. (taken from Debenhams.com). 

 Now I wouldn't have ever said that I could smell lemon or grapefruit -  I don't particularly like either of these scents.  

What it does smell like, or at least to me anyway, is a grown up and fruitier version of the infamous TBS Vanilla Musk.  Oh yes, I was one of those girls.  After a Saturday shopping with Nic, I'd come home to my Mother (aka Parental Unit #1) telling me that I "smelt like a cake", well you know what, that was just fine by me!  I think there is such a warming, comforting quality to vanilla.  I like the scent of vanilla in baking, Yankee Candles and perfume/body products. I'm just a vanilla kind of girl. So shoot me! I also happen to love the scent of sandalwood and amber, so this is a total winner for me. It is a little sweeter than the scents I usually go for. But sometimes, I fancy a sweet treat.

Have you tried So hooked on Carmella? Are you hooked?

Impromptu Boots Haul

So here is what I got from Boots. I had quite a lot of vouchers left from my birthday, so I popped in after work to pick up a few things...

Sorry about the crappy picture of this one! This is Benefit So Hooked on Carmella fragrance. I know, like I need any more perfume!! But I wanted to use the voucher that my In-Laws had given me as part of my birthday present and so 2 months later, here is my purchase.  Ummmed and Ahhhhhhed about this one for ages. In the end I decided I really liked it and now its mine.  Thank you MIL, FIL and UIL.  I think I'll review this in depth in my fragrance series. Keep a look-out!

I had a £5 No7 voucher and I planned to use it on the eye shadow brush, as I have heard some good reviews.  Then I saw that the new No7 mascara came with a limited edition eye palette.  I'm about ready for a new mascara and was debating if I would give this a try. And the GWP sealed the deal. When I was at the till, the SA mentioned it was 3 for 2 on No7 products and did I want to go and choose another product? Who was she kidding?! I bolted back and picked up the berry lipstick from the AW10 collection. Can't wait to try these out. 3 for 2, fiver off and a free gift...result!

The new Sanctuary facial range had some really good bargains too. I decided to have a change and move away from my beloved No7 Microdermabrasion scrub and try The Sanctuary Warming Microbrasion Polish instead.  I imagine its much the same thing, except its self heating!  I thought that the Pore Refining Toner  might be a good idea given the way my skin is playing up at the moment.  I like the fact that its in a spray bottle for fuss free application,  I'm not usually one for toner (please don't strike me down!) so I will see how I get on with it.  The last little bottle is a sample size of the Illuminating Moisture Lotion SPF15.  I think that these tester/travel sizes are great to give you a taster of the product.

Last, but not least was an ecoTools Concealer Brush. Again I've heard a lot of good things about this brand and wanted to give them a try.  Belated Happy Birthday to me!! hehe

Anyway that's all from me. What have you spent your No7 voucher on?

Laura Geller TSV - Looking on the Bright Side

So I succumbed to the Laura Geller On The Bright Side TSV (as predicted!), I had it delivered to my folks, so I only had possession of it last Friday. So I'm excited to finally have a look at it.

The kit included Balance N Brighten in fair/light. I chose this option as I have been using the regular shade over the summer, although I can't say we have seen that much of one at present! But the regular shade is a little dark for me in winter.  I just about get away with it in summer!   I'll be honest, I don't usually use this a my foundation.  I find that it doesn't give as much coverage as I would like. So generally I use it as a finishing powder and take it to work with me for touch up's.   I suppose it is quite similar to a MAC Mineralize Skin Finish. Some people choose to use those as foundation, some as finishing powder. It depends on the individual. I still think this maybe a little dark for winter, but we shall see.

The Baked Sateen eyeshadow/Eye Rimz in Fresco Pink and Mystic Sea is gorgeous.  The whole purpose of the kit is to make you look "fresh, vital and radiant, in a matter of minutes".  The Fresco Pink is designed to be used as a wash of colour all over the entire lid, to make your eyes "pop". Whilst the Mystic Sea Eye Rimz is a dark teal that will enhance the whites of your eyes, making you appear more awake. That's got to be a good thing!  I like that the Eye Rimz can be used wet or dry, depending on the density of colour required.  However, I'm not usually a pink kind of girl.  So I will have to see how I get along with Fresco and report back.

This is a combo of the Ethereal Rose radiance face powder and Blush N Brighten in Sateen Subtle Berry.  I don't suppose that needs any further info from me.  The info that comes with the kit advises you to use them separately, but I think I'll just swirl the brush over the whole thing, me being the rebel that I am.  You might find that I retract that statement at a later date, but for now, that is how I think I'll use it!

The last 2 products are the I-Care eyeliner in Bone and the new Banish N Brighten concealer.  I really like the I-Care eyeliner, its water resistant and can be used on the waterline or as a brow highlight.  I think they have chosen to include Bone as I imagine it is a very flattering shade for everyone.  When I have tried to line my lower waterline with white, it looks too harsh and almost clown like! I think a colour such as Bone or Benefit's Eyebright, which is a baby pink shade,  work better against the skin tone.  I think this product will get a lot of love from me.  Its probably something that I will use on a daily basis.

The Banish N Brighten intrigued me from demonstration on air.  Laura said that the Palladium metal tip would feel cold on the skin.  Now, I haven't actually tried the concealer yet.  I've been having a weekend at home and make up free!  But I did try the metal tip against the eye area and it feels amazing.  I thought the words metal and eye, were something that were just not meant to go together.  But the fact that the very smooth tip of the application remains cold is a real treat for tied eyes  Its an ingenious idea.  Just using the applicator around the area was nice enough, so I cant wait to give the concealer a go tomorrow!  I really, really hope I'm not disappointed with the actual product now. That would be awful.

So, there we go.  That was the On The Bright Side collection.  I've used quite a lot of Laura Geller's range before, so I kind of know what I'm getting.  And its always nice to be introduced to new products from the range.  I optimistically ordered my TSV on Auto-Delivery. Therefore, in January and April I should receive 2 additional kits.  The main items of Balance N Brighten, Banish N Brighten and I-Care remain unchanged, whilst the eyeshadow/Rimz and the Blush N Brighten will change to allow Laura to colour forecast for Winter and Spring.  I think I will see how I get on with the current kit, safe in the knowledge that I can cancel the Auto-Delivery at any time. Big thumbs up to QVC for this.

My Coral Crush

 

Whilst having a look for Stereo Rose this morning, I noticed that I had quite a few coral coloured blushers in my collection.  Not having the time to think about it for much more than as passing second, I slapped a bit on, threw it all back in the drawer and headed for my train.

I love coral.  And there is something about a coral toned blush that add's a certain warmth to my pale skin - no bronzer required!. My skin tone is enhanced with a bloom of coral .  I find that I look as though I have a really healthy glow from within (all fake I assure you!). 

 I've included 2 pictures.  First one is in direct sunlight, so you can get a feel for the level of shimmer in each item.  The second is in normal light.

1. MAC blusher in Peachykeen
2. Bare Escentuals Tropical Radiance
3. MAC Stereo Rose MSF
4. Benefit Coralista

 I still think my favourite is Stereo Rose MSF.  I love the colour pay-off and subtle shimmer that it provides.  I have to say that I really like all of these products.  The one I use least is the Bare Escentuals Tropical Radiance, but maybe that's because I had forgotten I owned it! It also is the most orangey coral in my collection, so perhaps I subconsciously choose the pinker shades.

 I'm not limited to blusher in my love affair with coral.  I love coral nail varnish, lipstick and lip gloss too.

Do you have a colour crush?  

Nic's 10 Things I Cannot Live Without.

1. GHD's! Forget The Wheel or the Internal Combustion Engine, this invention has revolutionalised my life! The days of hour long blow drys and crappy straighteners with various attachments (crimpers anyone?) before every night out, only to hit fresh air and have it all ruined, are thankfully over! Shameful though it is to admit I haven't blowdried my hair in the 6/7 years that I've had my GHD's, I just blast it dry and add heat protectant before straightening and I'm good until my next wash. Fabulous!

2. Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF15 in Porcelain. This foundation is so easy to apply, I use fingers or a foundation brush, it melts into my skin and becomes a part of it for that 'yes my skin is fabulous' appearance.

3. Benefit Coralista - I know! Who doesn't love this? It's such a refreshing change from the usual pink tones and goes with everything - or at least thats what I tell myself when I reach for it every day!

4. MAC eyeshadow in Motif. I had this shadow as part of a loot I bagged on ebay, I would never have bought it otherwise as it looks a tad Dijon-ish in the pan, it's quite a sheer duochrome so when the light hit's it you get a beautiful light pink shimmer. I simply adore it, I tend to reach for it when I'm just looking for something quick but interesting to wear with a bit of brown eyeliner but it's also fabulous as a highlight or a base for a brown smokey eye.

5. Smashbox no 21 bent eyeliner brush. Makes applying gel eyeliner a breeze! I can get a super skinny line or thick line and it's perfect for creating a wing with a lovely sharp point. I just did a swap with LeanneOCD and she gave me another of these, yay!

6. Bare Escentuals Warmth. This is perfect if your looking for a healthy, natural 'inner glow' effect rather than the sunkissed look that you get from bronzer. I find it especially good during the transition from winter to summer to add a little colour without changing my foundation.

7.ELF Studio Brushes. I have all of the studio brushes from ELF, I prefer the face brushes to the eye ones but at £3.50 each you really can't go wrong. They're synthetic, cruelty free (as is the entire ELF range), they wash well and dry very quickly too which is a huge bonus for me.

8.OPI Nail Envy. My nails grow quite quickly and are strong but a couple of them have a tendancy to break off at a certain point so I end up having to file them all down to match. Nail Envy stops that from happening and gives me perfect nails within a couple of weeks. I've been neglecting my nails recently so they look awful right now but it's good to know I have this ready to fix me up!

9. L'occitaine Verbena Body Ice Gel. I have tried many cooling body lotions but this one is by far the best. I bought it towards the end of last summer and It doesn't just cool you down it freezes you! The cool feeling lasts a good long while too so you don't have to constantly reapply it. Admittedly we didn't have the hottest summer last year so I haven't had chance to give it the ultimate test of hot summer nights or boiling days but I have faith, it does a perfect job after my volcanic lava temperature baths so I know it's a hard worker!

10. Elemis Tri-Enzyme Facial Wash. I started to use this facial wash at the beginning of this year and the difference it has made to my skin is incredible, I'll dedicate a post to explain more about that soon!

and a Bonus No 11, Threading! I'm adding this in as an extra because it isn't really a product but I absolutely can't live without my brow taming appointments. Perfect brows everytime and no more over enthusiastic plucking mishaps!

Which products do you refuse to live without?