January Favorites 2013......

Who can believe that dreary January is already over, I for one am glad and cannot wait to see some of the better weather very soon. 

My favorites this month were harder to put together as I have been doing face of the week, although in some ways I enjoyed this, in others I have found that It has left me feeling a lil less excited about doing my face and finding what I love for the month.

I also feel like I didnt have as many favorites this month...

What do you think???

Mwah

MAC Glamour Daze Superb and Everything That Glitters.........

Every year MAC launches a fabulous Christmas collection with everything our heart could desire. And this year The Glamour daze Collection delivers big time.

I had promised myself that I wasn't going to go mad and buy too much from the collection as I have asked for a few bits for Christmas and also, I want to show the makeup I have a little love.

There were just two things that I knew I wanted to get when the collection launched online.
1 was the Extra Dimension Skin finish in Superb that I missed out on earlier in the year, and the other was Everything That Glitters Nail polish. This is my first polish from MAC and what a way to start, a glitter fest in a bottle!!

Superb is a beautiful Rose gold tone highlight. I am not disappointed with this at all, I am so pleased to have this as part of my kit. It looks beautiful on a range of skin tones and adds beautiful light to the skin without being super sparkly or shiny looking.

Next is Everything that glitters, a sheer black based polish with micro glitter in magenta, teal blue, silver and gold.

Its just beautiful and opaque in two coats. The glitter is nice and dense and gives fantastic and even coverage. As I mentioned this is my first MAC polish, I hope I haven't started another obession here!!! lol.

I am really pleased with my two purchases from the collection and super excited to use them over the festive season.

Are there any items you will picking up before Christmas?

Mwah

Brand Favorites, Part 4....MAC

Today I have part four of my brand favorites series for you. 

MAC was a highly requested brand, its a brand that is well know and widely available.

I was surprised how many items I love from MAC, there are without doubt more than a couple of items I dont love also. It has such a wide range of products that there really is something for everyone.

What are your must have products from MAC???

Mwah

July Empties 2012..........

Hi Everyone!!!!

Hope you are all having a fab weekend?! I wanted to share with you my latest empties.... I was very impressed with how much I used up this past month. 

I have definitely discovered some new loves as well as a couple of things I wont be re-purchasing.

What products have you finished this month?????

Thank you for watching!!!!

Dont forget to enter my OPI giveaway!!!!!

Mwah

MAC Heavenly Creatures Haul.......

The mineralized collection from MAC is always the hardest for me to resist, so me being me I picked up a couple of bits.

Did you get anything from the collection???

Mwah

Mac Hey Sailor and Reel Sexy, what I got....................

Every month when the new MAC collection comes around I tell myself that I just wont look, that I really don't need it this month. And then that dreaded email comes through, and so I do it, I have to, I go on line and check out what's new. 

Addicted, I think so!!!

Any way enough wittering on. This month has seen the release of the Reel Sexy collection, and Hey Sailor.

At first glance, neither scream out spring/summer to me. However, after a closer look, I found a few real gems.

First up, look at the super cute lipstick packaging from the Hey Sailor collection. Its quite simple, but for some reason the packaging of the lippies has stolen my heart. Dramatic I know, but I just love it. 

And in all 100% honesty, I'm not bothered by limited edition packaging as a rule, so for me, this is kinda a big deal. lol.

Soooo Cute!!!!

L To R

Red Racer and Sail La Vie

These are both a satin finish and super pigmented. Although they look ridiculously similar in the bullet, on the lips and in swatches you can see the difference. 

Red Racer is the classic 50's style red, its a real scarlet and totally gorgeous.

Sail La Vie is a true Orange, not as bright as Morange, fantastically pigmented and gorgeous for the summer.

Here are some swatches on my hand, I am going to be doing some lip of the day posts to share with you, these shades will be some of my first, so keep your eyes peeled.

Next up I picked a blush and the Mineralise Skin Finish from the Reel Sexy Collection.

I make no secret of the fact that I am blush obsessed, and when I saw this shade, I couldn't help myself.

Magenta 

This is a matte finish blush and so pigmented it will last me forever, I thought that it would be pretty to give that just out of the sun flush to my cheeks ( if we ever get any sun that is!!!)

Lightscapade

Lastly I picked up Lightscapade, a re-promoted skin finish. Mac describe the colour as a soft candle lit beige with multidimensional shimmer. Its very delicate and really pretty, I do love to highlight and I know that this will get plenty of use. Also I think that it Will be fab to layer over Magenta blush for a softer look.

Natural Light

Magenta, Lightscapade, Magenta with MSF over the top.

With Flash

As above.

What do you think of the latest MAC collections? Have you picked anything up?

I do agree with comments that MAC should reduce the quantity of there collections and produce quality collections, perhaps quarterly like the majority of high end brands.

However, This for me is a good'un.

Mwah

MAC Naturally collection .................

I know I'm a little late in posting this haul, its my MAC Naturally goodies that I picked up when the collection launched back at the start of the month.

Here is what I picked up

Blond Mineralize Skin Finish (LE)

L To R swatches

Blended

I am a massive lover of MAC's MSF's. I get a little twitchy when they are LE. However after missing out on this one in the Blonde, Brunette, Redhead Collection a few years back, I decided that this would be the one for me to get. Its a beautiful soft pink that I will bother layer over blush and use as a highlight shade.

Next up I got a couple of the lipsticks, A Perfect Day and Sweet Sunrise.

I have been loving Nudes at the moment and these seemed perfect for me.

A Perfect day is more of a peachy bronze nude and Sweet Sunrise a delicate peach.

I promise some lip swatches of these very soon!!

What did you pick up from the collection?

Mwah

My favourite products of 2011.............

I though that this may make an interesting post, I wanted to share with you my top products from 2011. Most of them are products that I have discovered this year, several are now items that I will never be without. So without further ado.....

As you can see there is a little bit of everything, so I'm going to break it down into categories.

Favourite Brush

ELF's Studio stippling brush has been my stand out brush of the year.  It has been my brush of choice for foundation ever since I found it. It was £3.50 and a total bargain. LOVE IT!!!

Nail Products

OPI Nail Envy, No surprise there then. This is a holy grail product for me. Ive talked about it loads, if you would like to see why I love it check out my review.

Essie Fiji, possibly my favourite Nail colour of all time. I don't know why this has me under such a spell as it can be a pain in the bum to apply, but I really don't care I love it and am still wearing it at my wedding :))

Hair and Skin Care

Backcomb In A Bottle is something I discovered not to long ago after Cara mentioned it in a favourites. Its been an essential for me ever since. For more info see my Post.

VO5 Miracle Concentrate is a product that I discovered to replace my beloved Moroccan Oil. I reviewed it just this week after being totally blown away by it. Fantastic product and a great price.

Soap&Glory Wish Upon A Jar another holy grail product for me. This wonder moisturiser came into my life in March and has been a regular part of my skin care routine ever since. I love it when my skin is looking grey and life less, this revives and brightens leaving my skin alive and healthy. I did a full post on my saviour and you can see it here.

St Tropez Gradual Tan for Face has been my self tanner of choice for my face this year. It doesn't break me out, turn me orange or smell revolting. Its a winner all round and is just a gorgeous product.

Stand out new comer of the year...

MUA Professional MUA for me are the best new arrival on the high street this year. They offer amazing quality products at fantastic prices. Whether your budget is £1.00 or £8.00 there is something for everyone. A brilliant brand that I hope will be around for a long time and keep delivering fab products.

Lipgloss

Buxom is another range I discovered this year. I only have the one shade (Trixie) and i really enjoy this gloss when ever I wear it. It gives a nice plumpness to the lips with no irritation and isn't too sticky. Gorgeous.

MAC Plush Glass My favourite lipgloss formula from MAC. Plush glass again are slightly plumping. I find that they are long lasting and always leave my lips soft and moisturised when I wear them. This shade is Posh It Up and my favourite from the range.

Lipblam

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lip Protectant For me there is only one, another Holy grail peeps.

Biggest Discover of the year

Lipstick is something that I have fallen in love with this year. I have some favourite brands and shades, but lipstick in general has definitely been my biggest discovery of the year.

Face Products

NARS Laguna Bronzer is something I have had in my collection for a fair few years now. However in all honesty I only found the love this year. I love the way it looks on my skin, it warms and brightens without making me look orange.

Dior Amber Diamond The ultimate in Highlighters, I held out for a long long time before buying this. As soon as I tried it I could see why its so popular. its light on the skin, doesn't clog and lasts FOREVER......

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural  (This is the natural, I just depotted it into my Wonder Woman compact, I like the mirror) This is my favourite setting powder. I only discovered it in April I think. I find that it keeps my skin shine free all day without it looking cakey or dry. I never thought I would love a powder so its a refreshing find for me.  

Eye Products

Wet'n'Wild Shadows Dinah sent me these in our swap and Ive been totally seduced by this drugstore favourite. I think its such a shame that we cant get these in the UK as the quality is fantastic and the the range of colours massive.

Chanel Fauve  This has quickly become my fail safe shadow of choice. Its been in my favourites more than once and will be for some time I'm sure. for swatches see here.

NYX HD Eyeshadow Primer This is a great product. It does everything that you need from a primer, its long lasting, non creasing and HD. For me I find this just as good as Urban Decay PP. I love the quality of NYX and this is no exception.

Estee Lauder and Mac Gel Liner  Up until recently I had only used Clinique and No7 gel liners. I was in 2 minds which to try and Nic over at Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog suggested that I try the Estee Lauder Double Wear. Its a fab liner, it lasts brilliantly on the water line and stays put all day. I also gave the famous Blacktrack a go and that to is a great liner. I have chopped and changed between these two since I got them, they are both fab and I will def repurchase them.

So that's my favourites. Sorry it was such a long and rambling post. Hope you enjoyed it.

What have you been loving this year??

Mwah

More empties, Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy...........

So you may remember my self inflicted spending ban back in October.
Although I didn't stick to my 6 items that i had allowed myself to buy before new year, I really did cut back and use lots of my collection which may of been neglected otherwise.

I did a post back at the start of November sharing with you some of the things I had used up and emptied. ( you can see that post HERE )

This was something that I had really got satisfaction from, and so I decided to do it again.
So here we are these are my empties from November and December.

What Ive used

TRESeme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo

Umberto Gianni Backcomb in a Bottle

Umberto Gianni Crystal Mist

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation ( Not 100% empty but the pump is broken)

Clinique Clarifying Lotion

Midnight Poison Body Lotion

Angel Body Lotion

Simple Eye Makeup remover

Soap&Glory Hand Maid

Carex Hand gel

Soap&Glory Catch A wrinkle

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir

Philosophy Pure Grace

Burbury Body ( sample 15ml)

MAC Msf Natural

Clinique Eye Brow Pencil

OPI Nail Envy Original

NYC High Definition Mascara

Some of these are items that I will without doubt repurchase either because they are every day products for me ( clarifying Lotion, Eye make up remover, Dry shampoo) or I have really enjoyed them.

There are a few tho that I wont repurchase.

These are

NYC Hi Definition Mascara. The transfer on this is terrible, I also found that it flaked on me through the day. Added to this I simply just did not like the brush.

The other is the Umberto Gianni Crystal Mist, as much as I enjoyed this product, I'm planning on going a little lighter with the blond in my hair and if I do this will simply make my hair just too golden.

What have you finished recently? Will you be repurchasing or skipping??

Mwah

Better late than never, November Favourites.................

Well here they are, better late than never, My November Favourites....

November was a month where I tended to grab the same things, tried and trusted favourites. That being said there were a couple of new products in the mix which stood out from the crowd.

Eyes

MAC Top Of The Posh Peacocky Collection Eye Shadow FOTD post HERE

MAC Paint Pot in Lets Skate ( Glitter & Ice Collection, FOTD as above link)

MUA Extreme Metallic Palette in Celebrity

Soap&Glory 'Whats Nude' Lid Stuff Palette, Review HERE

Chanel Fauve Eyeshadow, Full review HERE

As you can see there are a couple of new entries, the MUA palette being one of them. This is a new love of mine as I am loving the soft lilac shades along with the warm mauve. Its totally beautiful. I have a review of the palette along with 2 others from the range. They really are fab!!!

Lets Skate has quickly become my favourite Paint Pot, its the most beautiful delicate soft baby pink has has a beautiful shimmer with a touch of glitter. Perfect.

The Soap&Glory Palette is ideal for those days where I didn't have much time, its everything you need for the perfect neutral smokey eye.

L to R

Top Of The Posh, Lets Skate and Fauve.

Face

The Balm Frat Boy Blush

MAC Mineralise Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle.

I have been loving this natural pink Matt blush, goes perfectly with either pink or taupe shade eyes and has been my go to blush this month.

I have loved layering this with Soft&Gentle by MAC for a soft glow to the cheek area, this is also a beautiful soft highlighter.

Frat Boy and Soft&Gentle

Lips

L To R

Carmex Lip Balm

Vaseline Creme Brulee Lip Therapy

NARS lip gloss in 'Turkish Delight'

MAC lipstick in 'Angel'

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 'Sky Line Pink'

New CiD Lipstick in 'Damson'

MAC lip liner in 'Magenta'

As you can see this month has been all about the Pinks for me, gone are my usual favourite corals in favour of soft milky soft pink hues.

I have been using the Vaseline and Carmex religiously throughout this month as my lips have been feeling a little dry and tight, these both give me soft comfortable lips and keep them nourished through the colder weather.

I have been layering Turkish Delight over either my lip balm or Angel. Its the ultimate milky pink gloss. I love the way it softens Angel.

One of my new discoveries of the month is New CiD Lipstick. I received this one in the shade Damson in my Carmine Box. I'm totally hooked. It comes with a handy mirror on the side of the lid and also has inbuilt lights for those darker moments helping you freshen up when ever where ever.

Love, Love, Love it :))

Magenta Liner by MAC looks scary when you swatch it but I have loved blending this over my lips before wearing with Angel or Sky Line Pink. It gives a bit of punch and yet is still soft.

L To R

Magenta, Turkish Delight, Angel, Sky Line Pink and Damson.

Hair Care

Batiste Blush

Umberto Gianni Backcomb In A Bottle

VO5 Miracle Concentrate

I rediscovered my love of Batiste Dry Shampoo this month. The new large size was on offer, Half price, how could I say no???

Backcomb in a bottle by Umberto Gianni is just AMAZING!!! Enough said, to see why I love it check out my review HERE

The VO5 Concentrate is something I very recently discovered, I have a full review coming up so I'm not going to say too much more.

Nails

And last but not least, my Nail favourite is China Glaze polish in Ring In The Red. Its a beautiful red with glitter all through. It looks like Dorothy's Red Slippers when you have it on, totally gorgeous.

And that's it. Sorry This is such a long post, hehe. Hope you have enjoyed it tho.

Id love to know what you think of my favourites and what you have been loving this month.

Mwah