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

NOTD: Next Gold Library - Green

If you've seen our recent posts (or our tweets) you'll have seen that we were lucky enough to be invited to the Next Beauty event last week.

It was great fun and we met some lovely bloggers and chatted our way through the evening.
(Post here if you wanted to see the pictures!)

As a bonus to the night there was also an area where you could have a massage, threading or a manicure done, which I couldn't wait to have!

The poor lady was very nice and had to go through the arduous task of removing my glitter nail polish from my nails first (I had china glaze and saffron glitters piled onto the tips!) but she was lovely about it, and even complemented me on my natural nails, how nice!

Here's the colour that I chose:

It's a gorgeous bottle green shimmery colour that applied opaque in one coat, but had a second just to ensure it lasts.

The colours were all really impressive, and I'm missing this particular colour from my collection and wouldn't hesitate to go out and buy the box set as the colours in it are amazing!

Here's a photo of the Gold collection with a close up of the Nail Library on the right:

You can see the great range of colours that would be a perfect gift for all females at Christmas time!

There's a blue, green, red, purple, bright pink and some gorgeous shimmery metallics too.

This green colour also complements most skin tones as it isn't too yellow toned.

I personally couldn't stop staring at it in the lights!

The lady at the manicure station applied Seche Vite as the top coat and this kept the nail varnish on for a good 5 days before the chips started coming through.

I would definitely say this is a perfect gift for someone as Christmas, or even yourself!

It's a bargain at £10 and can be found here which is great for 9 polishes in wearable colours.

Would you pick this up as a present for family or a friend?

Do you love the range of colours?

L xxx

Review: Mac Studio Fix Fluid

I've been using this foundation for a little while now.

It was something else I picked up in America for cheaper than here in the UK.

The woman in Macy's was very nice and loved my accent so was very happy to colour match me and I picked up NW20, which by the way, is me with a tan.

Lovely!

First of all, having only bought Pro Longwear and various compacts (Studio Tech, Studio Fix and Pressed Powder) before I had no idea that the bottle wouldn't come with its own pump.

Naive you might think, but I genuinely never thought about it so obviously picked one of those up too.

I love simple packaging so Mac always hit the nail on the head for me.

A glass bottle always makes a product feel luxurious too, and as brands such as Rimmel also use them now it's almost expected.

I love how clean the bottles and pump look when they've never been used! Such a pretty photo.

(Is this the addict in me talking do you think?!)

As far as the coverage goes, I love it.

Full coverage, with a semi-matte finish this does last for a decent amount of time.

I'd say that it lasts an 8 hour day with a good primer and powder, though I think it could last longer.

I don't seem to have found the best combination yet of primer/foundation/powder for the longest lasting face.

The Studio Fix Fluid is also buildable so you can cover problem areas more effectively if you need to.

Here's some of my face with Studio Fix Fluid on:

I really like this....but I have an issue with the smell.

It's hard to describe but I just can't stand it, I was worried initially that mine was gone off or something even though I'd bought it from a reputable department store!

Ah well. 

I should also add that I'm quite lucky, I genuinely am an NW20 year round, as even though my tan has faded this foundation is still the correct colour....yay for being so pale!

Have you tried Studio Fix Fluid? What Mac foundation is your favourite?

I'd love to buy more of their foundations so let me know which one is your favourite and why!

L 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