Empties 2

It's been a while since I've done an empties post. I really shouldn't have left it so long as I've actually used up quite a bit lately. You can read my first post here. I've been really trying hard to use things up and work my way through my stash.

Here's what I've used up over the past two months. As you can see it's quite a stash!!

First up is hand creams.

I use quite a lot of these. I have quite dry hands and my job means I wash my hands a lot!! The Avon African Shea Butter hand and cuticle cream is my favourite of all time I think. It sinks into the skin easily and quickly and smells amazing! Will definitely repurchase! The Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream which I think I got in a She Said Beauty box I just didn't get on with. It was a super thick cream but left my hands feeling so greasy!! I used it at night as after using it I just didn't want to touch anything. Wouldn't repurchase.

Deodorant and Dry Shampoo

Normally I wouldn't include deodorant! Let's face it it would be boring to see these in empties every time but I have this time, as at the moment I seem to be seeing lots of adverts for the compressed ones. so I thought seen as they are meant to be better for the environment and all that I'd give them a try! For me they ran out VERY quickly! Definitely wouldn't buy again. Batiste Dry Shampoo Tropical Love batiste, wouldn't use anything else. Love the fragrance (see my save, spend, splurge on Dry Shampoo here) have got another big bottle of it already!!

Bath and Body

Philosophy Peppermint Bark Shower Gel I love the smell of this, l gave me this as she didn't like it. I thought it smelt like mint chocolate!! Yum. Love the texture of this too. Will be on the look out for it at christmas time! Next Spa Sugar Body Scrub I loved this!! The texture was amazing, thick and gloopy in a good way and a great but not too harsh scrub! Can't seem to find it in shops at the moment which is a bit disappointing as I love it. Lee Stafford For Hair That Doesn't Grow Past A Certain Length Treatment I got into the habit of using this stuff about two years ago and couldn't get out of it. It always left my hair feeling lovely and soft and in great condition. I do really like it and I think it helps hair grow by improving the condition. Don't expect long flowing locks though. I do like it and have another one I'm currently using. Soap and Glory Calm One Calm All I love this bubble bath, gentle smell that's not over powering and produces a nice amount of bubbles. Have another waiting in the wings thanks to a donation from L.

Skin Care

Boots Cleansing Wipes Pretty sure these featured last time! Great product, does the job and stay reasonably moist, I prefer these to baby wipes I find they don't tug as much. Lush Whip Stick Although it's a pot lip balm I do love this for night time. Great smell and leaves lips nice and soft, I've already picked up another of these. Carmex Cherry Lipbalm I'd totally forgot about Carmex until I found this and a few other lipbalms lurking half finished. Carmex is one of my favourites for sore lips and love the cherry scent. Will pick up the tube version next time. No7 Eye Make Up Remover My all time favourite eye make up remover, I always pick it up when it's on offer and I'm never without it. Removes make up easily without tugging and doesn't leave the eyes too greasy. (Read my save, spend, splurge on Eye Make Up Removers here) Clarins  Eye Make Up Remover I didn't get on with this at all, I just found it didn't remove my make up very well. Lancome Hydra Zen I loved this cream, light on the skin, sunk in well and left my skin feeling soft and well moisturised. Once I've used up some of my stash I'm going to be looking into this. Clinique 7 Day Scrub  for me this just felt too much of a harsh scrub. The particles were so big I'm just not a fan.

Mascaras

I'm a mascara addict. I have a huge amount of them and usually use more than one type on my lashes. Benefit Bad Gal I think I got this in a magazine one time. The brush is huge!! Which I liked, it was great for volumising the lashes and even though it was a big brush it didn't get all over my face. Avon SuperMagnify won't talk about this one too much as it's being discontinued! I love it though, I have two back ups! Avon Curlious Diamonds I'm not sure this is still sold but their normal curl one is! I did quite like this mascara but a curling mascara isn't what I really go for. Maybelline Colossal Volume This is probably still my favourite mascara of all time, it's amazing, doesn't dry out and gives amazing results!!

Face Products

Collection Fix Me Up Spray I like this product but when you work it out on a price per ml basis the Urban Decay setting sprays are actually better value, It's a great purse size product though. Rimmel Clear Complexion This is an alright product, nothing amazing so wouldn't repurchase, for a cheap powder I prefer my Natural Collection loose powder. FCUK Brush This was in one of those sets you get from boots, I love the rest of the brushes in the set but this one is just rough and hard so I've decided to just throw it out. Rimmel Recover I quite like this as a light coverage foundation, it's a little bit rough in texture but does look great when applied, hard to find now but I did spot it on fragrance direct! Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation this was a generous sample I got from the counter. I really enjoyed this and think when I have some money and have used some foundations up I'll repurchase.

Random Make Up

Carmex Moisture Plus I had forgotten how much I loved these until recently, they are like the original of Revlon Lip Butters but sheerer. They provide great moisture and a wash of colour, will definitely pick more up! Bourjois Eyeshadow Beige Rose This is a great everyday base colour, a slight shimmer and easy to blend. Lastly Avon Perfect Wear Everlasting Eyeshadow I love the forumlation of these, a slight cream to powder formulation that's quite wet. It has a sponge type lip gloss applicator. I'm on the look out for more of these!!

So that's my latest stash of empties! The spending ban definitely helped me!!

Love M

xxx

FOTD Every day Cranberry eyes

Whoo no Monday blues here today. I'm spending the day with my parents today as they are coming over to visit my other half and me. Hope you've got some good plans for the Bank Holiday if you are lucky enough not to be working!

I really like doing and reading FOTDs. My make up skills aren't that great but I definitely think reading and writing blogs is helping improve them. I picked up Mac Cranberry eyeshadow a while back (you can read that haul here). After watching a YouTube Video by Tanya Burr I just had to have it. It was a colour I didn't think I would wear all that much but still had to have.

Pictured with the Beautiful Plumful Lipstick! Cranberry is a shimmery red shade with a hint of lilac. Not all that wearable on first glance but I actually probably wear this four days a week. I love the way it looks on me and people tend to comment on how pretty a colour it is!

To start with I applied a base of Porefessional, Mac Pro longwear (review) and erase paste (review).

I tend to wear it as a crease colour over Tease from Naked 2 palette (a matte light brown shade). I blend Tease through my crease and apply a generous amount of cranberry over the top and into my outer V. I apply Bootycall over the lid first as base. It's a shimmery nude shade or Mac Naked Lunch. 

To deepen the outer corner I apply the smallest amount of Blackout (a matte black) and blend well. I then finish off the eyes with a flick of gel liner!

I add a small amount of blackout under the lash line and blend well so it doesn't look too much. I then put on lashings of mascara. I'm such a mascara girl. I love my lashes to look full and fake so tend to wear 3 different Mascaras. My current winning combination is to use Givenchy Phenomen'eyes as a bottom lash mascara and then Lancome Hypnose Doll lashes and YSL Shocking (review) on the upper lashes. I picked all of these up in duty free last year and would definitely repurchase all of them next time I have the money too. I'm dreading them running out.

For the cheeks I go subtle as I wear so much on the eyes! If you've read the blog of my tweets you may know I'm obsessed with the combination of Benefit Dandelion (review) and Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer (review).

For brows it couldn't be anything other than Benefit Brow Zings (review)! And Powder is Natural Collection loose powder.

Last but not least this gorgeous warm red lipstick is No7 Stay Perfect lipstick in Grace! I'd recommend testing these in store as the colours are nothing like on line. They are a little drying but I love them still. 

Love M

xxx

   

Spring Series: Make Up

This is the last in our Spring Series (you can see the rest of our posts here). Today is all about spring make up.

It's this time of your all my dark berry lipsticks get pushed to the back and my bright vibrant pinks start to make an appearance again. I absolutely love a bold lipstick and bright pinks are my favourite for the spring time.

Here are a few of my favourites

Also I start to load on the bronzer more in the hope to look more sun kissed. For me there is no better than Liz Earle Natural Glow Bronzer (review here). I start to use it for more than just contouring and start to add a bronzed look too my face.

I tend to apply more highlighter through Spring too. I crave that natural luminous glowy skin. I've previously raved about MAC MSF in Soft and Gentle (review here). It gives a soft sparkly highlight and blends effortlessly into the skin.

Lately I'm also loving MeMeMe Sunbeam. This is a cheap version of the Benefit product. I find this gives a soft highlight to the skin and is less sparkly. Perfect for day times.

During spring I usually like a slightly bright blush to match my now bright lips. This is where Sleek comes in. Hello amazing pigmentation. I love my Blush by 3 Palette in Lace (review here). I love all the colours in this and using the middle one means I don't need to highlight. The red shade looks gorgeous blended in and I surprised myself with how much I liked an orange blush.

Excuse the dodgy photos! I'm surprised how much my photos have improved over the time of the blog

I really want the sleek Pink Spirit palette now. Maybe that can be my treat after my new challenge.

Lastly base, this changes in the spring. I've also been a full foundation girl but that is definitely changing. During spring this year I'll be favouring No7 tinted moisturiser and my Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser.  If my skin does need a bit more I'll be reaching for Mac Studio Fix Fluid.

I like my skin being able to breath more than with a foundation on. I really like both of these and will definitely be repurchasing the No7 one. I've not used the Laura Mercier one enough to comment yet but can't wait to more. I find both of these pretty good even on my Oily/Combination skin. For ages I was put off tinted moisturisers so I'm glad to have found these.

As for lips it's time to bring out all the bright colours, hello corals, pinks and oranges. Here are some of my favourites

Maybelline 10 h Tint Gloss Forever Fuchsia (review) Avon Perfect Kiss Berry Smooch (review) Kate Moss No 20 (review) Kate Moss Matte Collection Shade 110 (review) Mac Shine Supreme Fashion City, Mac Amplified Chatter Box (review) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Satins in Smitten and Rendezvous (review)

The Swatches are in Lipstick Order. 

Lastly I like to play with my eyeshadow on the weekend. When It's a bright day outside I love to play with my make up. I have a few brighter eyeshadows and I like to blend these through the crease and then smoke them out of use them under my bottom lashes to add a splash of bright colours. I do this with the colours from my Naked 2 palette making up the base and neutral shades!

Here are some of my favourites!!

What do you change during the spring months? Does your make up change to prepare for summer?

Love M

xxx

I am yet to find my perfect tinted moisturiser, I just can't seem to find one that it light enough but covers enough of my blemishes without making me oily and blotchy.

If you have any suggestions let me know!

I like using the Revlon PhotoReady Airbrush Mousse as it's light and even though it has really good coverage I don't feel like it clogs up my skin.

After this I do also apply concealer to my undereyes and any blemishes I have. My current favourite for this is Benefit's Fake Up as my skin s still so dehydrated the additional moisturisation is necessary to help it blend. 

After setting with powder I then apply my favourites; Benefit's Dallas and Coralista which hopefully on a daily basis gives me definition and glow like this:

I love using Benefit's Brow Zings too, lots of love for Benefit in today's post!

M was kind enough to give me her spare Brow Zings kit and I've completely fallen in love with it. It's in light and even though my brows are pretty much black I think it looks better than dark might because of how pale my skin is, and I can't go without my brows being defined!

Depending on what I'm doing that day, I might apply some nude eyeshadow to define my eye shape by using  my Naked Basics palette or Theodora before applying eyeliner in a winged effect.

After that it's lashings of mascara and it's time to apply some bright lippy!

Normally pink is the perfect colour so I might wear Mac's Nicki Minaj lipstick (shown below) or Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar.

Otherwise my latest purchase Vegas Volt is also a really good red/orange colour that seems to go with everything!

What are your favourite products for a Spring Make up look??

L xxx

Urban Decay Oz Palette: Theodora

I'm sure the world of bloggers own at least one Urban Decay palette (I own 4...) and the Oz palettes will be no exception.

When these bad boys came out I obviously needed one of them And by one I obviously meant both (!)



I was lucky enough to get the Theodora palette as one of my presents from my parents for my birthday.
I was massively excited and knew that I obviously needed to purchase the Glinda palette with my remaining birthday money to complete the collection.
A post on this will be coming up soon I can assure you!

The box contains the palette itself, a Super Saturated Lip Stick in the most beautiful red and also an instruction card which details how to create Theodora's face, played by the beautiful Mila Kunis.

Anything magical generally catches my eye, particularly all of these adaptations of childhood fairy tales.
I loved Hansel and Gretel, Alice in Wonderland and Snow White and the Huntsman!

I love the outer packaging for this, the dark and stormy colours with some celestial clouds look mystical and take me back to my childhood, who doesn't want to be a princess??
I love even more that theres a goody and baddy, a palette for all your moods and possible eye make up creations!

As for inside the palette:

There are a range of nude single colours and then two separate duo colours containing and black and a gold, and two varying sage green shades.
In the centre is also one of their 24/7 black pencil eyeliners which was a surprise for me as I only knew about the palette and lip pencil initially!

Here are the colours again in natural light. I do love the arrangement but part of me wonders why there isn't a space for the pencil too. It would be so much easier if you could carry them all together in one case and know that you have a look sorted if necessary.

You can see the palette and the corresponding names on the back of the original box in the above photo.

Names like Beware and Bewitch always make me want them more, they sound much more mysterious don't you think??



Having tried 'lip sticks' like the Revlon Just Bitten lip stains I was dubious about the pencil type lip stick but it actually is just that; lipstick in the shape of a pencil.

It's so soft and glides right onto lips with great colour pay off, it's really soft and moisturising too and I can see me getting a lot of wear from it.

You can see the colour when applied to my lips in the photo below. It's a great 'true' red and will suit all skin tones. You can easily draw the colour on using the pencil and the lipstick isn't hard on your skin at all like others are.

In fact the only issue I can find with this lip product is that it may even be too soft, as the pencil has in fact gone flat after a few uses and I'm a bit stumped as to how to get it back again. Sure, i could sharpen it.....but I'd have to buy a new one to accommodate its larger size and then I'm not sure it would sharpen well as it's so soft?! Dilemma!


So here are a few photos I've taken with my make up done using the Theodora palette on various occasions.
I've used the Super Saturated High Gloss Lip Color Theodora lipstick both times for the sake of continuity and all the eye shadows are from the Theodora palette!

The above three were completed using the duo eyeshadow called Jealous, along with Broken as a base and inner eye shade and West for the outer corner and crease.

The three pictures below all show the look created with Broken again as a base and inner eye colour, Beware and Bewitch as the main shades and West again in the crease:

I love how they're both so wearable and the red lip colour makes my teeth so white!

This is a great palette for those just starting out as the nudes and browns can be worn by anyone and the black/gold and green duo shadows are great ones to experiment with. They're staple colours in anyones make up wardrobe and i order you to buy this!

For £35 you get 6 shadows (8 really!), an eyeliner and a lip color making each item a bargainous £3.50.
They're also limited edition so don't miss out on these!

Which Urban Decay palette is your favourite?? Glinda will be coming up in a review soon!

L xxx