A quick trip to town

As I had £15 on my Debenhams Beauty club that was burning a hole in my pocket I popped into town with the intention of picking up one of their Setting Sprays. After yesterday's post and realising it actually worked out cheaper than the Collection one and being the last day to get the 15% off I thought I'd pick it up. I'd planned to pick up De-Slick Oil control (link here) but the MUA said I'd probably be better with Up all night as she'd only recommend De-Slick for people with very oily skin and I think mine is oily but not completely. I was so disappointed when I got to the counter and she told me they'd run out and probably won't get them in till after Christmas. 

I really want to try the Naked Foundation as well. I should have asked her to put it on me as 15% off that takes quite a bit off. Due to my oily/combination skins I try to get a tester of foundations so I can check how they last. Have any of you tried it? Would love to know your thoughts?

I had a back up as there were a few Mac items I've got my eye on. I wanted a YSL glossy stain but with my pink hair I didn't want to get a shade that doesn't go with it and the one I want is the red. I've seen so many gorgeous eye looks using Mac Cranberry. It's the prettiest berry red shimmer shade and I can't wait to create some amazing eye looks with it.

It's also completely unlike anything I own so I couldn't resist. With the 10% off (which ended yesterday I believe) it came to £10.80. It's my first Mac eyeshadow so I can't wait to play around with it.

with flash

After watching some of Estee from essiebutton.com videos and seeing how gorgeous Plumful looked on her it went straight on my wishlist. I really love how she does her make up and want most of the lip colours she has. 

without flash

The colour is a rosey pink better than lip colour shade on me. I was hoping it would be a little darker as it appears in her video but it's probably better for me it isn't. It's unlike any colour I own, goes with my hair and is perfect for everyday. So I can't ask for much more from a lipstick.

As you can see the lipstick is really mositurising and has a nice natural glossy finish. It is a lustre finish and was £12.60 with discount.  Cranberry is a little redder than it shows here but you can really see the shimmer in it.

I quickly put them on when I got home as I couldn't wait to try them. I applied Cranberry to my crease and really like the way it looks. Even though it's reddy I think it's actually quite easy to wear.

I also picked up this Green Skater Skirt from Miss Selfridge. It's a jersey material with a black elasticated waist and was only £14.00 I think I will get a lot of wear from this. I wanted more skater skirts as they are easy to wear for day/night and comfy.

I really want this black coated River Island skirt and it's a bargain £20. I'm gutted it's sold out online but I'm hoping I can find it in a store.

The leather trend isn't one I've embraced apart from my jackets but I really love the skater skirts and think they'd look great with thick tights and a cosy jumper.

Seen as I was meant to be Christmas shopping I shouldn't have bought stuff but I just couldn't resist. Have you embraced the leather trend? Are you loving skater skirts like me?

Love M

xxx

Review: Collection Fix Me Up Spray

I was so excited when I opened a She Said Beauty box a few months back and found this little delight in there. Being an Oily/combination skin type a Make up Setting spray has been something that has interested me (and L who was equally eager to try it) for a while. I can't wear foundation without a bit of powder to set it or I'd just look like a shiny mess, but I've never been a fan of the powdered look. So a spray that reduces that was something I'd been meaning to try for a while.

There are so many of these type products around including the ever famous in blogsphere Caudalie Beauty Elixir and the Urban Decay up all night. For me it was just nothing I thought to spend my money on. Other more pretty make up appealed to me. Both these products have rave reviews and I will probably end up purchasing them at some point to compare. Especially as a quick google has bought up some reasonable prices for the Caudalie Beauty Elixir. Escentual have the 30ml bottle for only £9.99 (here). Note to self order that soon!!

The Collection Spray comes in at £5.99 for 18ml which when compared with other sprays seems cheap but is in fact more expensive than the Urban Decay ones which are currently on offer in boots for £16.15 for 118ml. Even when not on offer they are still cheaper than collection ones at £19.00 for 118ml. Urban Decay also do 3 different types for different skin types.

The packaging is a simple black bottle with a black sticker and pink writing. I like the combination of black and pink together and the fact it's plastic means I don't have to worry about throwing my bag around. I'm not the most careful of people. The lid to protect the spray pump stays on securely until you lose it in the pit of lost lids (you know the same one that swallows socks) I lose the lids to all things cosmetics annoyingly.

Ignoring the price of the spray how did I find it. I like the spray and have bought a second bottle since receiving it in my box (prior to comparing prices of others). It says to use three sprays but I usually use four. I absolutely love this product some days. But other days I find you can see where is has been sprayed on my skin and leaves marks in my foundation. It has a fine ish spray to it but I think it could be finer to help leave a more even finish.

The days I've loved it (I switch up my foundation a lot so I think it probably just doesn't agree with some of them) it has removed the powder look. I don't think it makes my make up last better but it definitely gives it a better finish. More smooth and fresh looking. This product is quite scented. It does dry pretty quickly so you don't end up with a wet face.

The big question would I repurchase. Probably to just chuck in my bag and for nights out it's size makes it good, but for a use everyday product I think there is better I just need to test them out and find it. I'd like one that's better value and with a finer mist. I kind of feel like this is one of those products I've made myself think is perfect but I'm not sure it really does too much.

Do you use setting sprays? What are your thoughts on them? Any recommendations on ones to try?

Love M

xxx

Like M I'd never tried a setting spray before this one came along.

I heard it had come in the Beauty Box so was intrigued when M said it was pretty good and so I picked it up on a 3 for 2 deal from Superdrug a little while ago and road tested it when we went out for Halloween.

It has since become an everyday part of my make up routine as I find that it leaves my make up looking dewy and has helped with the lasting power.

I do agree though that when you compare costs with other more widely known setting sprays the difference is minimal and I would be so interested to see how they compare.

I found that the Collection one was a little bit 'dribbly' for want of a better word, it could do with being finer as sometimes I did end up with droplets on my face. They weren't big enough to make my make up run or anything, but a mist would be far better!

This is great for a first try of a setting spray and perfect for throwing in your handbag for touch ups at work as the bottle is handbag sized.

I will be picking up the Urban Decay one though for comparison purposes!

What are your thoughts on setting sprays?

L xxx

Review: Origin's Modern Friction

If you hadn't noticed, me and M are biiiiiiiiiig fans of Origins.

A few weeks ago we went to a Christmas event at John Lewis Beauty Hall and I spent quite a bit of money on some Origins goodies.

I picked up Modern Friction after wanting it for ages, along with the box set of masks and consequently a goodie bag of samples too.

Modern Friction is what Origins call 'natures answer to microdermabrasion'

To me this sounds like an amazing all natural way to resurface and smooth my own skin without blasting it with harsh chemicals and leaving it red raw.

This product uses rice to buff the skin into looking fabulous.
You apply to to dry skin normally and then wet it afterwards but for sensitive skin can apply straight into wet skin if you prefer.

It also contains lemon juice which we all know is great for use in scrubs due to its lightly acidic properties, just whatever you do do NOT get this in your eye. Lesson learnt!

I massage this all over my face and neck twice a week and have noticed a massive difference to the texture and overall appearance of my skin.

After short term use my skin looked brighter and less grey, definitely from sloughing off the most recent layer of skin.
After longer use my skin surface has definitely improved and I can say it is smoother to touch and also looks more refined.

This product is pretty pricey being around the £31 mark but I believe it's worth every penny and my twice weekly use of the 125ml tube has left me with 3/4 left after 2 months of use.

As I'd spent a certain amount at the origins counter (sucker!) I also came away with this amazing goody bag!
Check out the beauties in this!

This was exclusive to the event and the Brighter By Nature face pads were alone worth £20 so this was an utter bargain.
We've both been using them for the last few weeks and will be reviewing them shortly!

Have you used Modern Friction before? Would you spend £31 on it?
What Origins product(s) are your favourite?
I just love how natural everything is and it all smells DIVINE!

L xxx

P.S. don't forget to enter our giveaway! It's ending this weekend so don't miss out!

Beauty Rehab

So far this year I have made a bit of progress using up oold products and attempting not to buy many more.

I've been charting my progress with my Beauty Rehab series which you can catch up on here.

The latest update is as follows:

Tigi CatWalk Fast Fixx Leave In Conditioner Spray - Have been spraying this on for months and hoping for an improvement. I usually use this after the gym and it's so easy to apply and never greasy.

I bought it from TK Maxx so wasn't full price and I think I'd pay for it again, but not at full price.

Molton Brown Indian Cress Conditioner - I am always bought Molton Brown products at Christmas by my auntie, I enjoy using them but I'd never buy them for myself as I just don't feel they're worth the money...

Batiste - Probably my 20th can. Will buy forever!

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Wash - I am aware this is from the baby range but even so, it came as a set with the lotion and I absolutely loved it. No tears from me in the shower and it's super natural and helps save the bees which EVERYONE should be doing by the way.

Bees are amazing and without them we'll die, so go buy some bee products!

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - Bought many times! Will buy for the forseeable future/forever

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturiser - Picked this up in America as I was told it was better than Dove/Johnsons. I can't say the colour was better/streaked less but the smell was gorgeous and it would be a contender to the market if only they'd bring it over to the UK!

Avene Gel Cleanser - Was sent this to try and it really was gentle on my skin and removed the majority of my make up. It was quite runny so I would have preferred a pump a la Liz Earle so I could control it more, but lovely all the same.

Origins Eye Doctor - Saved up my Boots points since purchasing this in March time ready for when it ran out, and so have already bought a replacement!

My super sensitive eyes love me for it and I will buy this for a loooooooooooong time.

Botanics Eye Make Up Remover - I thought this would be great as it's organic etc but this gel cleanser made my eyes fog up for a few minutes after use meaning it was actually getting in my eyes and although it did remove eye make up, I had to use it a few times to get it all.

However it was really gentle and did feel soft on the skin. 

My tube broke in my wash bag so I'm having to throw it out anyway!

Etat Pur Actives - A01 is a anti wrinkle treatment, loved the feel of the serum but didn't notice much long term benefit aside from the instant smoothing of applying a serum

After attempting to use A22 without success the lovely Etat Pur sent me A20 to review alongside it to maximise the effects.

Sadly as my skin problems seem to now be caused by stress and not oiliness these products unfortunately didn't work as a permanent solution for me, but I can 100% recommend them to fellow oily skin sufferers as combined they did make a difference.

Botanics Moisturising Eye Cream - This isn't a patch on Origins Eye Doctor I'm afraid. It felt a bit too heavy and greasy on the skin around my eyes and I wouldn't buy again

Technically this isn't an 'empty' but I was far too excited to share with you my new Real Techniques purchases.

I absolutely love all of the brushes in the range and just needed these two to complete the face brushes collection!

How have you gotten on with using up products this year?

I think over Christmas i will have to have a clear out of products I just know I won't use.

I NEED to stop as my obsession is massively out of control.

Would you like to join me in my quest to rid my room of retail therapy ridiculousness??

Let me know via twitter or email if you'd like to join in from January :)

L xxx