American Dreaming!

Hi lovelies!

A quick post ofr you today, mainly a few snaps!
I have a friend in America who I met when I went there a few years ago for uni for a couple of months. It was an amazing experience and she also came over to Britain to do her Masters too so that was fun. We often send each other things every couple of months to try and get our favourite things from each others countries which is obviously very handy for blogging!

I sent her over a few things such as face wash, Girls Aloud Eylure lashes, Rimmel mascaras and of course...........Cadbury's chocolate!

This was what I received:

Look at all that bad food!!!!

I went to M's the other night for food ( a LUSH healthy fish stew yummm!) and we finished the evening by eating some Pop Tarts. I'd never tried them before and can't say i would again....the fudge flavour is nothing like fudge whatsoever! I think I've just weaned myself off sugar and this doesn't taste right anymore!

The Oreos i plan on eating with some amazing peanut butter though as I hear its the way the Americans do it....and it would be rude not to!

As far as products are concerned she sent my favourite face scrub from a Neutrogena range that we don't have here, two Essie polishes I asked for and China Glaze Christmas 2013 set. So much glitter!

I always love seeing the names of the polishes in these sets! I can't wait to get them on my nails even though its nowhere near Christmas anymore, glitter isn't just for the festive season you know!

This face scrub is one of my uber faves and I'm gutted we can't get our hands on it over here. The rice protein really does absorb oil for hours on end and when I was there i didn't even wear make up because my skin cleared up with the help of the sun and this beauty!

The Essie polishes were Leading Lady and Stylenomics. LL was a limited edition polish for us Brits last year and i was so gutted i didn't get a full size one but found on the american website that they were still selling it! I was very pleased as you can imagine!
Stylenomics is a gorgeous dark green that I cannot wait to wear, it's a classic colour that should go with a lot of things now and in future.

Are you as lucky as me and have a contact in the US who can send you things? She's sent me EOS balls and many other things and I'm hoping it will continue for a few years to come!

What would you choose for them to send you? I'd love to go back over there and have a spree! I'd hate to think how much I'd spend!

L xxx

Seche VIte

When I went to America Seche Vite was one of the things I picked up. When I spotted it in target it went straight in the trolley. I'd heard so many good things about it I couldn't resist it. I love my No7 top coat and have mentioned my love for it loads on this blog.

Excuse my slightly battered box. It has been on a long flight. The bottle seems large and this will definitely last a while.

Seche Vite has a unique formula which allows it to be put on wet nails. Something I found my No7 one wasn't allowing. Lately when I was using it, it would streak the wet polish on my nail. Seche Vite is truly amazing. A drop on the nail does spread really well.

This topcoat really deserves all the good reviews it gets and I now wouldn't use another. It drys really quickly, leaves nails looking glossy and doesn't smudge wet polish. What more could you want. The brush is also very good. The way it holds the perfect amount of topcoat allows the nail to be covered easily and quickly.

You can pick it up readily on eBay it's a bargain £6.25 from this seller and they have 100% feedback. I cannot recommend this top coat enough and will be ordering some of their treatment base coats.

Have you tried Seche Vite? What's your favourite top and base coat?

Love M

xxx

YSL Shocking

When I went to America at the end of September YSL Shocking Mascara was something I really wanted. I'd seen so many positive reviews I just had to have it. You can see my full haul here.

The first thing that caught my attention is the gorgeous YSL packaging. All the products feel so luxurious in their gold packaging. I'm personally a fan and I love the black writing on them. I like that they are heavy to as it makes me think I've got my monies worth (stupid I know)

Look how pretty. When I was in duty free unfortunately they didn't have the mascara so I picked up Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes instead. Review coming soon. But luckily they had this on the plane. I paid £20 for it. Which is a lot for mascara but after picking up this one and the Lancome one I'm converted to high end. You can pick it up for £23 here.

When I first opened it I was instantly disappointed  I judge this one straight away. After loving my Maybelline Colossal Volume for so long for something to give me volume I assumed the brush would be bigger. It's average size and I have just assumed it would be huge. It also just looked average, I expected something different to it.

As I tried it the first time my disappointment continued. My lashes clumped together and the formula felt too wet. Having had this with a mascara before I left it for a few weeks before trying again. That was when it all changed. The brush also picks up a lot of product and is very highly scented (warning incase you aren't a fan) I'm used to a scented mascara as my Maybelline one is.

After giving it a second chance all changed. Here is my eye with no make up on at all above. This mascara separates and lengthens my lashes amazingly.

Please ignore my ungroomed eyebrows (if you saw my brow post last week you can see what my natural brows look like in this post, here if you want to read it) This is after just one coat. I love how black this mascara is and how my lashes appear. I always like to apply two of more coats of mascara.

After two coats you can see there is a lot more volume to my lashes. I think this mascara is perfect for days when you only want to wear mascara as it leaves your lashes looking amazing. It's also perfect for nights out and this would make me consider ditching false lashes.

Here you can see with and without which I'm sure you'll agree is pretty amazing. This mascara is so good at making lashes look amazing. BUT don't go more than two coats. This is a mascara that easily goes clumpy as the wand is very much loaded with mascara. I think it will be a better mascara as it runs out more. This mascara made L stop me mid sentence to ask if I was wearing falsies. My sister in law also did the same thing. Pretty impressive right.

I'm so converted to high end now. Also I love high street mascaras and I think they are great but when I can afford to spend the extra I will now.

What do you think of high end mascaras? Have you tried YSL?

Love M

xxx

America Haul

I'm sure you probably know by know I was lucky enough to go to America at the beginning of the month. I was determined before hand to save my pennies so I could buy loads over there as so much of it is a lot cheaper. Safe to say I spent a lot!! Who can resist?!

A trip to Target cost me $270 ooops! I did get some bits for L in there too, I was gutted not to find a Ulta or Sephora as I had really wanted Real Techniques brushes and China Glaze. There is always next time and I'm really hoping to go to America again but it certainly won't be for a while.

I have to say Americans you are so lucky!! I adore Target. They have the most perfect jeggings ever and they are only $27!! They fit amazing, they hug you in and look so good. I wish I picked up more. Since being home I've order some skinny jeans from eBay and they are just as amazing. As Target don't deliver to the UK eBay is my only option. If you search Mossimo you should be able to find them! I also picked up a New York Giants T shirt. Which I love and I've worn loads since. I love casual t-shirts like this. The last clothes type thing I got was some black flip flops. These are so soft and almost velvety like.

On the plane out there I couldn't resist getting Naked 2. It was £30 and I do really love it. I use it most days. I love it so much I'm considering getting the original Naked palette too. For eyes I picked up high end products. I'd heard so many good things about YSL shocking I had to have it. But in duty free I couldn't find it so was recommend Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes. Thank you duty free lady as I know love this. This is the best mascara EVER!!!! So worth every penny. I also picked up Givenchy Phenomeneyes. I really can't get on with this so any tips would be appreciated  When on the plane back I saw YSL shocking in the magazine and had to have it. Lucky the OH gave me some of his dollars as I'd spent mine. I prefer Lancome to the YSL but I'll do full reviews on these.

I bought quite a few different face products. I wanted to try a few Revlon ones as they are so much cheaper. I really wanted the PhotoReady Airbrush Mouse for evenings as it doesn't contain SPF so I wouldn't look like ghost in photos. I wanted more of the ColorStay foundation as I absolutely love it. I also really wanted to try the PhotoReady Primer and powder. I picked up the powder in translucent hoping I could use it for Halloween make up. I also got Mac Studio Sculpt to try as the Mac shop didn't have pro longwear in my shade. I don't love it though to be honest. Finally face wise I picked up Clinique Stay Matte as I love the face creams. 

For lips it was all about the Revlon. I tried my first lip butter in Candy Apple as so many people had raved about it. I like it but don't love it. It kind of just feels like a normal lipstick to me. I do want to try more of them though. I also got three lip stains. I got honey as I'd heard lots about it being a great colour, Cherish (I'm gutted I picked this one up by mistake, I wanted sweetheart but grabbed the wrong one) and my OH's Mum bought me a second Smitten as she borrowed mine on holiday and loved it so much she kept it ha! I also picked up two EOS lip balms as I really love these.

The YSL duty free counter also sucked me in to this beauty of a lip product. It is the Rouge Volupte. I love everything about this. The beautiful packaging, the texture of the lipstick and the pigmentation. It just glides on in one swipe and gives a beautiful finish. I have shade 27. It's an amazing coral colour.

For nails it was all about the OPI I wanted a new bottle of Nail Envy as I love that stuff and nothing compares to it for me. I also picked up a few other shades. I couldn't resist the New York Ballet Collection as it was only $11 dollars. I really love all the shade in it. I also picked up full size bottles in the shades I'm all ears (from the mini mouse collection), Altar Ego and Dating a Royal. Which I adore the name of and love the shade. (I've just noticed I picked up Red, White and Blue. I also got a Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Glass Slipper and the Seche Vite top coat to try as it's so raved about.

How pretty is dating a royal.

I also picked myself up the shampoo and conditioner L mentioned in her haul post. I thought they'd be great for us to try and boast some brilliant moisturising properties. In the Yankee Candle shop they had a new product out called Fragrance Spheres. They are little jelly like balls that release fragrance for 45 days. This is making my bedroom smell amazing. Really hope they bring it to the UK.

My shopping didn't stop in America though, I had a parcel waiting for me when I got back from holiday. I placed an order before I left from Dainty roses as she got some new products I had to have. 

I got a cute bangle with a heart on, the two rings have love and hope engraved in (I really love how simple these are), the copy of the YSL ring, an orchid hair grip and Lisa was kind enough to send me a new bow. She regularly offers great offers.

Lastly on a trip to boots with L I just couldn't resist a few more buys.

I couldn't resist 3 for 2. The Rimmel Scandaleyes liner in Nude. Which is amazing. Models Own Nail Varnish in Snowball which is very close to the China Glaze one I featured in this weeks NOTD and the Stay Matte Concealer  I've also got acrylics on at the moment so I'm hoping this little pot will make removing them easier.

Wow that was a lot of shopping. I could have done soooooo much more. I have picked up a few amazing clothes bits which I will share soon. Primark and Oasis have some amazing pieces?

What would you get on a trip to the states? 

Love M

xxx

Holiday Photos

I've been trying to write this post for a while. It seems I've managed to lose my camera (really hoping I didn't leave it in the hotel) so only have the photos from my phone which my laptop at the moment doesn't want to load annoyingly.

Before going I decided to treat myself and go back to acrylics so they would look good for the whole time we were there. I love my local salon and went with black glitter tips as it was something a little different.

First room view

I love nosing at holiday photos so thought I'd share a few with you all. I was lucky enough to get to spend a week in the amazing Florida. We stayed at a Disney Hotel (The Beach Club) which was so nice and decorated as old fashion glam, imagine posh Dirty Dancing. 

It was so nice. With double sinks, which I quickly claimed and filled with make up! I need this set up when I own a house one day.

Second room view

We were moved rooms after 3 days after a flooded toilet but upgraded and had a better view of everything.

I loved the little touches in the hotel like shaped towels! In the bathroom they were in bows and on the beds it was Mickey. 

We spent most of the days at various Disney Parks, which I loved, you're never to old for Disney. I have some great photos of it all on my camera so if it shows up I will put some more on.

Magic kingdom is just so beautiful to look at.

How Beautiful is the Castle.

Though my favourite park is Probably Animal Kingdom. The Lion King show was amazing.

The Brilliant Lion King show in Animal Kingdom. Gymnasts, ballet and dance bits!!

I loved seeing all the fireworks and parades there. You can't beat fireworks.

Fireworks at epcot over the lake! They were so good!

Being in America we of course gorged on food. You can see some of the food I was scoffing here!! It was so lush having so much choice. You can also see my amazing hand luggage! I loved it.

Amazing breakfast, pancakes, cinnamon roll, fruit, waffles, chocolate, cream, syrup and M&Ms! I may have ate cooked aswell that day!

I of course took advantage of America being cheap and did lots of shopping. Post on that coming soon.

And of course there is sea world. I really loved the Dolphin Show. They are so clever.

I did sunbathe a bit in the mornings but didn't get too much of a tan! I've ummed and ahhed over the bikini photo but decided I would. I was proud of the weight I lost for holiday. Plus it's in my amazing Kelly Brook bikini from her collection for New Look

Hope you liked having a nosey through some of my snaps. They aren't the best, stupid missing camera and phone not linking properly.

Fantasmia Show at Hollywood Studios

Love M

xxx

Presents from America

A few weeks ago M left me for a WHOLE WEEK!

I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself without my best friend around but luckily it was also just before my MSc dissertation hand in date so I was kept busy.....

Luckily for me she brought me back a whole load of goodies!!

Look at these for a batch of presents!

We've both already said how much we absolutely LOVE Revlon, they've really upped their game recently and there is so much I want from them!

I eventually managed to narrow it down though...

I picked Revlon Colorstay as I love it, and also the Photoready Airbrush Mousse as it has been raved about.

I also spotted the 2 compacts online and had to have them!

M was also kind enough to pick me up my very first lip butter too!

She also got me 3 Eos Spheres which are amazing and we're both very big fans of these.

She picked 1 of each Summer Fruits, Lemon Drop and also Mint.

I've tried the Summer Fruits one before but never the others so I'm looking forward to those!

Also as a present she bought me some shampoo and conditioner bars:

I have never heard or seen these before and am intrigued!

Apparently they'll last around 50 washes which would be amazing, they're going straight into my gym bag so I can start using them!

They smell gorgeous too.

Here's a close up of the Photoready Bronzer:

I haven't seen anything like this in store or online in the UK yet so was very excited when M managed to pick it up for me!

It's a gorgeous quad of bronzers that does not contain any shimmer and has a range of 4 colours.

I have a feeling this will get used a lot for nights out!

I also asked her to pick up this Photoready Sculpting Blush Palette as we've both been getting into sculpting (see our Kim Kardashian tutorial here..)

I'm hoping this will be a much easier and compact way of sculpting without using loads of products.

This is also not available in the UK yet so I can't wait to use it!

Here's the Photoready Airbrush Mousse.

I'm expecting great things from this after hearing so much about it!

And lastly my very first Lip Butter in Candy Apple.

I'm so excited to try all of these out!

What do you think of my presents? Is there anything you'd like to see more about??

I was so excited when M gave me my goodie bag!

THANK YOUUUU! :)

L xxx