Life Update

Hi there!

It has been a little while since I did a life update as things have been so busy. I recently started a new job and things have been crazy, but I've been up to lots! Here's my pictures:

Having seen lots of pictures on twitter of everyone's Harry Potter t shirts I couldn't resist picking up the same as they were all from Primark and perfect for mine and M's upcoming Harry Potter party!
I got the Gryffindor tshirt (above) and the Hogwarts pyjamas.

I've been having a bit of a chocolate fest recently; it's been a long time since I've eaten it but with my Amelia Rope goodies (see post from yesterday) I've been given the taste for it again. I've made a nutella and banana smoothie, and my aunty made a massive white chocolate cheesecake for a family meal, it was HUGE!

 

That said, I've also been back at the gym a lot. My new job is based on shifts so I've been on earlies this week, meaning 4.30am starts which hasn't been too fun! However I've finished at 2 so this meant I could go to the gym straight from work and avoid the rush hour or go home and go back later for classes. I've been really enjoying being able to go to body pump again and building my weights back up, and hopefully seeing some results!

Both me and M went to an event recently for Neal's Yard Remedies and were kindly given the Wild Rose Beauty Balm. I honestly cannot describe how amazing this multi functional product is and it's become my go to for every skin problem. Come back tomorrow for a full review, even the packaging is just so beautiful!

With all of the NATO summit going on in Cardiff it was hard not to get frustrated with public transport and laugh at the ridiculous 'ring of steel' you can just about see on the corner of the picture above.
Me and my parents went down to Cardiff Bay to see the warships there, this is HMS Duncan one of the billion pound ships commissioned by the UK government. It was quite impressive to see it considering it's not something I'm interested in and the whole place was packed.

It was good to see so many policemen (and women!) from so many areas and they even grouped together for their own selfies in front of the ships!

I've also been on a bit of a spending spree (slaps the back of my hand). I managed to buy the Benefit items and Rimmel brow product with my points, the new eye liner was free when you swapped an old liner, the Mac lipstick (Coral Bliss) was a Back to Mac purchase and I also had money to spend on my Debenhams Beauty Card which was the rest of the Urban Decay products.

I was super lucky to have all of this as I've been saving them up for a splurge for a while! I've still got Boots points so I'm looking for my next Benefit buy! Here's a picture with the Pulp Fiction palette, Perversion liquid liner, Perversion mascara, Coral Bliss lipstick and Coralista:

I also had my hair dyed back darker finally! I've been waiting to do it for ages but wanted to wait until the summer months were over. Here's how light my hair was to begin with and how dark it was after dying it:

I loved it but unfortunately it's going to take a few goes to cover it all permanently as some of the colour has washed off already. I think when I go back to see my hairdresser next I will ask her to do it darker again too, as my natural colour is almost black.

I was planning on being good and not buying any more products now that I'm working again and can do overtime and hopefully pay my parents back whilst working my way through my stash.

That idea was totally thrown out the window when Space NK had their deal where you spend £150 and get a fabulous goodie bag, this time with 28 products in. I thought I was going to miss out but then I luckily sold some textbooks on amazon which helped towards the cost! Here's what I bought and am super excited to start playing with:

Up until this week I didn't own a Nars product....oops! Hourglass is a brand I've recently been reading about and their blush was too good to refuse, and I'm already a fan of Laura Mercier.

Here's a quick snap of the goodies in the Beauty Anthology bag:

Some products are only sachets or 5ml which is a bit disappointing as it doesn't give you much chance to use them but others are 30 and 50ml and I can't wait to try out all of them.

Do you see any of your favourite products in the goodie bag?? Have you been eating and exercising to make up for it like me? What do you think of my purchases?

I need to reel in my spending that's for sure!


L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hello!

I'm here with another Beauty Rehab post today. I've been trying really hard to not spend, and also use up products from my stash.
My stash is rather extensive and it's just taking up too much space in my room. I do not have enough space for the ridiculous amount of stuff that i have accumulated, more than that I do not want to waste them so Project Use Up has begun.

I wrote more about my decision on this post here and I haven't been as good as previously as I have picked up a few goodies....but nowhere near as many as previously!

Without any more babbling I'm going to start doing 1 line on each product so you can have a quick review of whether I loved, hated or didn't care for the product.

Molton Brown Shower Gel: I can't say I'm ever a fan of expensive shower gels as I never find them that different to my usual S&G type ones, so this wasn't a massive hit for me but a nice smell.
Dove: Essential in my product wardrobe, always have about 5 on the go!
Neal's Yard Hand Cream: I love this, would repurchase asap. Smells amazing and saves the bees! SAVE THE BEES EVERYONE!
S&G Clean on Me shower gel: Another Christmas present essential, I look forward to getting the next Xmas kit!
Clarins Eye Make Up Remover: Liked this, wouldn't pay the price for it though as others do the same for less.
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish: Love this, would buy again but am working through my stash for now.
No7 Eye Make Up Remover: Love this, would buy again and already have more! The £5 vouchers are awesome.

St Tropez mousse tan: Loved this before but now I'm not so sure, the colour wasn't so dark as before and I was a bit disappointed.
S&G Mist you Madly: Not a fan of the smell and so wouldn't repurchase, huge bottle though!
S&G Butter Yourself: Loved this! Amazing smell and works a charm, would repurchase in future on 3 for 2s!
Garnier Ambre Solaire spray tan: This is my saviour for tanning my back, I have no bf present to tan my back for me so this is perfect for reaching and giving an even tan! Would repurchase.
Aveeno Triple Boost Serum: This was great for the price, sunk in easy and helped with hydration.
Good Things Deep Pore cleanser: Apparently they don't sell this now which is a shame as I would have repurchased.
Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hours: This did pretty well at lasting but I wasn't a fan of the finish, and also the colours were a little dark for my skin sometimes.
Aussie 3 min conditioner: Have loved these forever and will always buy them! 

Neutrogena Daily Scrub: Loved the smell, didn't feel like it did enough for me, very small particles so good for sensitive skin.
Rimmel Wake Me Up: Love this for a drugstore foundation, lovely glow and coverage, this is my 2nd bottle.
Another Aussie, Dove and St Tropez, see above for comments.
Rimmel Recover foundation: This was too glittery for me, but did work at being anti fatigue.
Hydraluron: Didn't see any results initially, stopped using it and my skin was so dry! Just disappointed in the price for such a small tube as I'd love to repurchase regularly.

L'Oreal False Lash Flutter mascara: Quite liked this, the brush was interesting and picked up all my lashes.
Benefit's Dallas: Forever love this, am on my 2nd but i do hate that they break as product is wasted.
Benefit's High Beam: Love the original highlighter! Also have another.
Avon Magix primer: This was great, great price and works so well, i should repurchase, not sure why i haven't!
Rimmel Match Perfection: I bought this as a powder so it worked quite well but was a bit heavy, and on its own wouldn't be right for my skin. I have the loose powder to try though!
Benefit's Porefessional: Wasn't sure of this at first but now I love it and was gutted to finish it. My miniatures will have to see me through for now.... :(

OPI Correct and Clean Up pen: Useless, dried up in seconds. Stick to cotton buds!
Barbara Daly Eyeliner Pen: Liked this initially but again, it dried up so fast. I'm always so careful putting lids on but they still dried up.
Lacura Under Eye Concealer: Great bargain buy from Aldi, need to buy this again.
Ojon Rare Blend Oil: Bought this in full size, need I say more.
Lush Dream Cream: Loved this but it's so expensive for a tub with a short use by on I can't justify it
Lush Olive Branch: This was so so, wouldn't repurchase as there are others I prefer.
Molton Brown mini Shower Gel: This was from a travel set which I've kept for ages....but never use! It's time for them to go and this was a lovely smell.

Woooooooooo what a list!

I've also been working my way through samples so expect to see a post with those on soon. They're keeping me busy with new exciting products.

Have you been using up your products recently? Found any hidden gems?

L xxx

Spending Ban Update 10

It's April already. How quickly is this year speeding by. My spending ban will soon be over officially but let's start by saying this week has been a really bad week for me!! I've been naughty with spending. The ban is almost over and I really need to add on a few extra weeks.

This week was L's birthday. I already had a dress so thought I'd get away without spending money! After searching through my shoes I really wanted a new pair that was actually going to be comfy. On Thursday it was ladies night in our local shopping centre. Loads of the shops offer discounts and there were cute stalls all around offering things like Pimms and Snow Cones. New Look had 25% off and knowing there shoes are usually comfy I headed there.

I picked up these wedges for around £15. They were so comfy. I was in them for around 8 hours in the end and did plenty of dancing and had no blister. I want them in all colours now!

I had planned on neon accesories and was borrowing a bag off L and her nail varnish so wanted a bracelet to tie it all together. I love the bright colour on this one and with discount it was only £3

While in there I couldn't resist one more bracelet. This leaf one was under £4 with discount.

Also on ladies night I popped into River Island. I had a voucher left over from Christmas so didn't actually break the ban for these. I had literally just been talking to L about this necklace before we walked into the shop. I had this necklace around 5 years ago and wore it till it fell to pieces. I took it as a sign and bought it in Silver and Gold, They were £6 each and are a great easy to wear statement necklace! I've still got a bit on my gift card and I'm currently eyeing up a jumper I've seen.

Lastly we had our Mac makeovers ready for L's night out. ~I stated in a previous spending ban I'd spent £30 on this. So on the day I only spent an extra £2.60 so it wasn't too bad (luckily it was a 10% off time). There was so much more I wanted to get but I tried to be good and get sensible purchases.

Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch for £12. This was to replace Bootycall in my Naked 2 palette as I've hit pan on it.

I also picked up a Shine Supreme Lipstick in Fashion City. These remind me of the Revlon lip butters. They give a glossy finish with a moisturising colour. It was £14.50. Which is more than a normal lipstick but you do get 3.6g of product instead of 3g.

I love the finish of these and will definitely be looking at what other colours they do.

So that's my very naughty week. Though I only spent around £28 so not quite as bad as it seems. Need to get back on my spending ban and back onto saving. I definitely think I'll stick to it for a bit longer.

How are yours going?

Love M

xxx

Spending Ban Update 6

The spending ban is definitely getting easier as the weeks go by. Is anyone else finding this? As much as I'm wanting products I'm finding it easier to just swatch all the pretty things on my hand and then put them back. I think this week is also easier as I'm off home to my parents on Saturday and have two lipsticks waiting there for me that my mum has kindly got me.

I have broke the ban this week. A deal in boots was too good for me to get for my mum and not pick on up for myself too. I love the original Stylfile (blogged about here) it's an S shaped file to easier shape the nails. So when I was in Boots and saw the Emergency Stylfile for £2 I had to pick up one for me and one for my mum. She's a fan too. I love that it's protected in a coil and has a file on one side and a buffer and smoother on the other side for any nail breaks.

This is the first beauty related item I've bought that hasn't been essential like make up pads or deodorant (both of which I had to buy this week). Apart from the shoes I showed in last week's post I've not bought clothes either.

On top of the £4 spent on the files L and I have booked to have our make up done in Mac before we go out for her birthday. We did it last year and that was what introduced me to higher end make up. So a year on we thought we'd do it again. That cost £30 and is before the ban is up it will be after 90 days so one splurge then isn't too bad. I think I'll add on a few extra weeks to make up for it.

The list of products I want is ever growing with so many new products constantly being released. I just have to keep telling myself I don't need it.

My Wishlist.

MAC Brick-O-La (this has been there since the beginning. I've still not seen it in person)

Urban Decay Setting Spray

Illamasqua Pigment Base

Origins Cheeks and Balance

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

Daniel Sandler Water ColouR Blush

Elf Brush Cleaner

Stocking Tights

Maybelline Colour Tattoo

Rimmel Appocolips

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Concealer 

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation or the Tinted Moisturiser. I want to get samples of both of these.

This time I'm adding:

Maybelline Super Stay 10 hour tint gloss. I love the formulation of these. As I'm adding these I'm taking off the Rimmel Appocolips. Here I reviewed Forever Fushia

Maybelline Super Stay 14 hour lipstick. I'm a huge fan of Maybelline lip products. I love all the shades especially Always Plum

How are your bans going?

Love M

xxx

Spending Ban Update (6)

Hello.. Today's post should be an update on my ban where I moan that not spending is hard and tell you about my wish list, how it's growing etc. If you've seen some of my tweets from earlier this week you will see that I had the most ridiculous relapse back into spending and bought quite a few items from the Cosmetics Company Outlet (CCO) in Swindon's McArthur Glen. Basically this is what happened:

I went a little bit spend crazy in one shop and just couldn't resist some of the bargains that were available.

I know I should have resisted....but this week I successfully paid off and cancelled a £500 portion of my overdraft and just couldn't stop myself.

I did feel guilty afterwards and for now I am back on the non spending wagon because I'd like to continue paying my overdraft off at the same rate (though this may be a little optimistic!)

Even so....here are my purchases closer up if you need a little product porn:

Make A Difference skincare set.

I've been using the moisturiser recently and couldn't resist picking this up too.

This mascara was on sale for £7!

This is a beautiful pinky red that is really hydrating and so gives a high shine look, cannot wait to use it!

My first ever Smashbox purchases came in the form of their Arced Liner Brush #21.....

....Jet Set Waterproof Eye liner in Midnight Black.....

.....Beeeeeautiful Fusion Soft Lights in Baked Starburst.....

.......and their Smoke Box Eye Shadow Palette.

(I imagine all will feature in upcoming posts)

Completely unnecessary but 100% totally worth it for the smile and feeling I've been possessing over the past few days.

I think it's even more of a high after being cold turkey for so long, though I have made better judgements on what I need and don't need.

I would have purchased so much in between Christmas and now if I hadn't have been on a ban!

Let's get back to it though eh?

What do you think of my purchases? What would you like to see in a post first?

L xxx