Spending Ban Update 5

I've been meaning to write a spending ban update for a bit now. It's been a while since I've done one. You can read my last one here. I've not been doing them weekly as not much has changed.

So far I'm pretty proud of myself. It's been 56 days and I've still not bought any make up. The Saturday before last when L and I went to LFW I forgot to pack my flat shows so picked these up from Asda. For only £10 I wasn't too annoyed at spending. I love the stud detail and the nude colour. They also come in black, you can see them here.

So in 55 days to have only bought these which were truly something I didn't need. I have bought shampoo and conditioner and some DVDs but at least I haven't added to my make up collection.

Last week was probably my hardest. I was moody and all I wanted was a new lipstick. It was so hard to actually resist. So far I have, the thing keeping me going now is that me and L are going to go to MAC and have our makeup done for her birthday. It is before the spending ban is up so I'm going to add on a few extra weeks for those purchases.

I feel like I'm getting past the not buying thing now, it was making me moody at first as I couldn't shop but I'm starting to feel more proud now when I put things back.

L and I went to a Bloggers meet up on Saturday. I did resist buying anything but I did get my brows done. They were bugging me as they were uneven.

For the next 4 weeks (prior to L's Birthday) my plan is to not buy ANY make up, clothes, skincare, dvds, starbucks (this may be hard as on Thursday's I'm in uni all day and my flask isn't enough to last me). I'm also going to make sure I buy food to keep in rather than buying junk food and lunch.

I think my spending is getting better but I'm still not as good as I can be. I think for me the spending ban needs to be a more permanent only buy if I need things.

I've also signed up to my local pool which is £26 a month so that's money I need to stop wasting now. 

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

MUA Eyelid Primer (my mum got me one so I've taken this off)

Illamasqua Pigment Base

Origins Cheeks and Balance

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo (L has offered me both of these this week as they are cheap. It's hard to tell myself I don't need them)

Daniel Sandler Water Coloue Blush

Elf Brush Cleaner

Elf Blush and Bronzer Duo (we were very lucky to get an amazing goody bag from the Bloggers meet so I don't feel like I need this now, post coming soon)

Stocking Tights

Maybelline Colour Tattoo

Rimmel Appocolips

This time I'm adding

Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Concealer 

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

How are your bans going?

Don't forget to check out Marvelle's blog here to see more of the lovely ladies doing the ban.

Love M

xxx

Review: Glo Tan Tan in a Can

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to be sent a can of Glo Tanz Tan in a Can*.

This is a new style of fake tan which isn't in an aerosol, and you do not need to shake it before use.

Both of us are regular self tan users, being naturally pale if we plan a night out we spend around a week before preparing tan. It seems to take us both a good few coats to build up tan onto our skins. It's fair to say we've both tried a fair few of the ones on the market at the moment. L's favourite currently being Vita Liberata and M's being Lauren's Way Darker than Dark.

This was a tan that appealed to both of us after reading the press release on it. It's paraben free, alcohol free, environmentally friendly and not tested on animals. It also boasts to be fast drying, non sticky and to have a light tropical fragrance. 

The can has a list of instructions that are important to follow. This tan is really not like any spray tan I've ever used. I think it may be due to the fact it's a non aerosol can. There is definitely a temptation to shake the can but it really is best not to. With spray tans usually you layer them on and spray over an area a few times. This isn't the case with this tan. If you do you'll end up with this.

L and I both ended up with results like this the first time. We wondered if we were doing something wrong with the tan. I washed it off straight away and stepped away from the tan. The first time I used it I found it quite difficult. It's hard to go against what you normally do and only spray over each area once. The product is a really fine mist and does disperse onto the skin pretty much by itself. 

After my first attempt I'd emailed the company and asked for some advice. The next day I reapplied it all over as L and I were off to fashion week and I wanted a tan. I was so surprised by the different result I achieved. This tan will last ages as you really use so little when you apply it. This time I held the can basically as far away from my body as my arm would let me. I found this gave the best even application. I lightly sprayed each body part and was careful not to spray the same area twice.

Pre tan skin colour in natural light. 

I had a few dark spots on my stomach so lightly dabbed these with a tanning mit. I did find that even though it didn't look fully even when applied I was surprised as it dried it evened out and I was left with a gorgeous colour.

Immediately after application  in natural light.

As you can see it doesn't look that even but once dried it's amazing. It's feels really light on the skin and is really quick drying. I find on my skin it needs to be left at least 4 hours before washing it off. I tend to leave it over night. (don't do this on white sheets, I've now learnt)

once washed off in the bathroom light.

As the photo shows and when compared with my skin above you can see the glow it gives. I found this tan unlike any others I have used so it was hard to get used to but since the second time I have done 3 full body applications and the can still feels reasonably full.

A few tips

• Don't shake the can
• Apply a sheet a double sheet (one you don't mind ruining) down where you apply it. 
• As it's a fine mist it does disperse far hence the sheet but it gives it an amazing finish
• Apply with socks on. As the tan go everywhere the first time I ended up with dark feet. Now I wear trainer socks then apply tan to them last
• Put vaseline on spot scars and brows
• Only spray each area once. Tan can be built up over a few days
• Keep a tanning mit near by and dab if necessary

I'm now converted. The tan is messy but the results are worth it. When slept in the tan I'm left with a gorgeous even colour (I've had no streaks yet) that lasts around 4 days all over and then leaves a glow for up to 7. I absolutely love that it DIDN'T smell of biscuits!!!! How amazing. I find some that don't smell on application start to smell as it develops. Not with this one. I noticed a slight tan smell the next day but nothing that all other tans have left.

This also makes a great face tan. Where it is fast drying and a light mist it doesn't break me out. It's handy being able to use the same face and body tan. 

Overall it's an effort the first time you apply it but great afterwards and I've used it a good few times now. It does take getting used to but it's really worth it for the colour you get an how long it lasts. 

Love M

xxx

My first attempt at using this was admittedly a disaster. 

I got into my shower as it was the easiest place to spray tan onto me without making a mess.

However a shower cubicle provided the first problem, you need to hold the can a bigger distance from your skin than I ever have with other tans and my shower cubicle simply wasn't big enough for me to hold the can far enough without it running down my legs!

The tan feels quite wet and so you definitely need to hold it far away to allow the spray to settle onto your skin without running and leaving patches.

After my first attempt I was a little put off, but tried it again by getting into my bath and trying it again.

This was much more successful as there was much more space, though a little more scary as the dark coloured tan looked black against the white bath tub!

The effort to apply the tan was well worth it though as the colour is very natural and lasted a good few days.

I think as we are used to shaking a can, applying it and rubbing it in it took a few goes to get the technique right but the outcome was worth it.

I will definitely be using this again for the colour that it produced.

L xxx

This is a new product that is currently being prepared for sale by a company who previously only dealt with professional air brush tan. It can now be purchased for £26.39. 

This was a PR sample but both of our opinions were honest

LFW Matthew Williamson Show

This post is going to be photo heavy.....but well worth it!!

When I saw Benefit were running a Twitter competition to win tickets to Matthew Williamson's Show and a Benefit goodie bag I immediately retweeted the tweet.

A few weeks ago I was having a really bad day. Finished off by splitting my skirt. When I checked my twitter Benefit had tweeted me saying I was the lucky winner. I was completely over the moon. I was so excited. I've been wanting to go to London Fashion Week for a while. I thought it would be really exciting.

Of course I immediately text L to invite her along with me. She rang me as soon as she finished work to discuss plans. We decided to make a weekend of it and booked travel and somewhere to stay.

The show was on Sunday and was a great way to end the weekend. Before the show we met up with some of the lovely ladies from Benefit, they kindly gave us both a goodie bag with some great goodies in.

After a quick drink we went to the Royal Opera House, which was an absolutely beautiful location. It has the most amazing ceiling to the building and was perfect location for the show.

There were obviously lots of celebs....here's a few snaps of my paparazzi style photography!

Above is Twiggy having an interview...

Here's Olivia Palermo surrounded by photographers.

 

A whole host of other front rowers including Mary Charteris in the pink and my new idol for being so beautiful is Vanessa Kirby in the pale green dress.

Daisy Lowe was also in attendance...

and quickly made her way over to Yasmin Le Bon and Olivia.

Then the lights went down.....and the show began!

Matthew's show was amazing with some gorgeous pieces. The colours were amazing and the attention to detail was stunning. Some of the detailing and beading on the pieces was so pretty.

The show featured some gorgeous colours from sky blues to navy with turquoise and some beautiful orange and purple combinations. There were also some beautiful pleated skirts which were similar to last years fashion with frills being added to the bottom for a more feminine touch

One of my favourite things was the lighting panel at the back of the runway. The theme was based around Northern Lights and the panel reflected this perfectly!

 

L's current favourite colour is coral, and this dress was everything she wants in her wardrobe!

Personally for me the stand out piece was the stunning sky blue dress. This was skater style with mid length sleeves. What really caught my attention was the way silver glitter was added to the skirt in almost an ombre style. I'd absolutely love the dress. Of course I'm sure the price tag will mean that won't happen.

L also loved the orange coat and matching skirt with gold sequins. The structure and style were perfect!

Cara Delevigne was also in attendance strutting her stuff down the runway with fabulous brows as usual.

There were some gorgeous floor length gowns with lovely colours merging. One of the floor length dresses had the same colours as the invitation. The greens merged into orange and blues was stunning.

For the finale the ceiling began to snow!

It looked beautiful with the models being lightly dusted with flakes and the lighting setting it all off beautifully.

The man himself! Taking a very well deserved bow at the end of the show.

And as we were leaving who should we see but Cara Delevigne!

The poor girl must have been blinded with the amount of flashes going on but she still seemed to enjoy it.

It was an AMAZING experience and we would have loved to do it again and again!

No doubt you'll be hearing from us soon with regards to the Benefit goodie bag!

Thanks again to Benefit for putting on the competition.

What would have been your favourite dress?? Which designer would you have loved to have seen at LFW?

L and M xxx

Empties (1)

Since I've been doing the spending ban (it's been ages since I've done an update but I will do one soon) I've found myself using up more products so I thought I'd start to share my empties.

Hair Products

Tigi Catwalk Honey and Oatmeal Condtioner (not pictured)

My Other Half through away the bottle not realising I was saving them. I picked this up for £12.99 in TKMaxx. They always have lots of varieties of Tigi and Bedhead products at reasonable prices. As they are huge bottles they last ages. This is aimed at dry hair and I absolutely love it. It really conditioners my hair well, is light and leaves my hair soft. I will be repurchasing once I've used one I picked up from the hairdressers to add protein back into my hair.

Charles Worthington Dry Shampoo

I reviewed this one just yesterday so won't go into much detail. It's great size for the handbag but as Batiste do handbag versions I won't be repurchasing this as I didn't think it was as good.

Redken Colour Extend radiant-10

This is marketed as a multi benefit treatment spray for coloured hair. For my as it's advertised as colour extend it did nothing to help the colour of my hair stay. I also don't think it did much for the condition. I got this free in a beauty box and wouldn't repurchase.

Batiste Blush

I love love love bastiste. Used it for years. You can read more in yesterday's post. I've already got another can of this waiting.

Clariol Nice 'n' Easy Colour Seal Gloss Conditioner

These come in the Nice 'n' Easy hair dye sets and can now be bought separately. They are great for adding a boost of moisture for the hair. Once of the spending ban I will be repurchasing as I love these.

Skin Care

Boots Essentials Cleansing Wipes

I usually pick these up or some from Wilkinsons. I tend to use wipes to clean my foundation brushes daily. I used to use them to remove make up but favour a make up remover in liquid form now. I will still use them for lazy days. These are great value and usually on offer too. I always store wipes upside down as it helps keep them moist for if they aren't used regularly.

Origins Balanced Diet

I've mentioned this in my Save, Spend, Splurge series for day creams. It's ok and good for oilier skin tones as it's a very light moisturiser. It lasted quite a while too as a little goes a long way. For me though I felt it was a little over priced for a moisturiser that didn't offer and think else. I like my cream to have something that helps to keep wrinkles at bay too.

Origins Starting Over

This was a product I got from Origins when they offered a free moisturiser when you bought back an empty moisturiser. This product isn't great for oily skin types and is aimed at more mature skin so I stuck to using it as a night cream as it was heavier. Even though it was heavy it didn't break me out which is a good thing. I wouldn't repurchase this purely as there is better for my skin type.

Lush Sugar Lips

I love this lip scrub. It's amazing. I use it morning and night and it really helps keep my lips nice and soft. It is around £5 and lasts ages. I keep it by my bed so I remember to use it and it has made such a difference. I already had one in my stash but will be repurchasing when that one runs out.

Make up

 Avon Sparkle Glimmer Stick in Black

This is a product Avon re release around Christmas time usually. I got this in a set and put it to one side as I thought a glitter eye liner wasn't that wearable. I've been using it most days since the spending ban started as I'm trying to save my gel liner and use up other products. The glitter doesn't show to much on lids making it still wearable for days. I like that it winds up and doesn't need sharpening. If I see this on sale I would buy it again.

Bourjois Volume Max Mascara Waterproof

I picked this mascara up on a whim. It had a huge chunky bristle brush which I love in mascara's. I didn't mean to get the waterproof as I find I don't usually like them as much and they are hard to remove. Since switching to liquid make up removers I quite like this mascara. It gives great volume and looks amazing. It's reasonably prices and great for summer do to the waterproof formula.

Rimmel Perfect Match 2in1 concealer and highlighter

I really like this and this is my second bottle. It's great for brightening under the eyes and does conceal pretty good. It's a light formulation and blends great. The only downside to this is the fact it has a brush applicator which I don't like very much. I would repurchase.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation

This is a very raved about product in bloggersphere. I've had this since it was first released now and at first I did really love it. It smelt amazing and gave the skin a great glow. But I've found I just don't really like it on my skin. I find it doesn't last great on me and the colour selection just isn't that great. For me I wouldn't repurchase. 

Other Products

Avon Orange and Cinnamon Bubble Bath

This is one of the Christmas scents. They sell these on great offers if you keep your eye out. I was lucky enough and my other halfs mum gave us loads of them. I don't find that they give the best bubbles without using loads of the products. Personally I prefer other bubble baths so I wouldn't repurchase.

Soap and Glory Hand Food

This is another product loved by bloggersphere. I do think it's a great hand cream that smells and feels great. I prefer an Avon one I'm using at the moment though so wouldn't repurchase. I do have another of these to use up first.

So that's my first empties post. I plan to do these a bit more now. I won't do monthly as I don't think I'll get through that many products. Hope you enjoyed seeing what I'm using.

Love M

xxx