Recent Buys

When I heard Benefit were releasing a new blusher for one day only before it comes out in September I knew what I was going to spend my birthday vouchers on soon. So I took a trip to Swansea on Saturday. As Debenhams had there offer on where if you spend £40 you get 500 points. I originally wanted the Mac Pro Longwear but after one of the Benebabes tried the World Famous Neutrals Sexiest Nudes Ever one me I was completely sold. It's perfect for when I'm a bridesmaid in 2 weeks.

I then popped into Cardiff hoping to spend the rest of the vouchers I got on a dress for a friends wedding. After I didn't see anything I headed to Illamasqua as I wanted to try skin base. I love how it looked in the shop but can't seem to apply it as well myself. Any tips? I also picked up a small de slick spray. I'm hoping I love this. As I still needed to spend a bit to make it up to £40 I picked up some Urban Decay lashes to try. They had some amazing ones.

After having no luck in Debenhams I headed to House of Fraser who have a brilliant sale on. I picked up this beauty from the Warehouse section in there reduced from £80 to £28. I really love the back detail on it and the colour. I actually found 3 dresses I liked but returned the other two after. Now to decide on shoes and a bag. 

It seemed like I couldn't stop spending. I went to meet L on Sunday to have a coffee and a catch up as we know won't see each other till the 16th August. It's a long time for us ha! I couldn't resist picking up this midi dress in sale. It was only £10. I've wanted one for ages but my shape has put me off. I'm actually really glad I picked it up. I even wore it to work yesterday and felt comfortable in it. Now I want more.

Have you been shopping the sales?

Love M

xxx

Make Up Empties

I've been meaning to write this post for ages. I did't complete my project 10 pan as I did pick up a few bits but I definitely reduced my make up buying (until this week, but I was spending birthday vouchers!). I separated my make up empties from my normal ones as I had so many.

Mascaras

I have a lot of mascaras, I probably have more than 10 brand new unopened but I haven't been letting myself open anymore new ones until I used some up.

Jemma Kidd Make up School I-Glamour Volume. This came free in a magazine and I've never really got on with it. I found the formula too wet and didn't like the results. 

YSL Shocking (Review). This mascara leaves me in two minds. I love it and the results it gives. I do find it's better once it's been open for a few weeks. I must have been lucky as I didn't find it dried out like everyone said it did. Mine lasted at least 6 months (yes I know mascaras shouldn't be open that long but I've never had a problem doin it). I do find the results similar to 17 Peep Show mascara which is a much more reasonable price. I think I would re purchase if I had money.

Collection Skyscraper. This is a mascara I picked up in savers. It has a plastic wand which I don't usually like. It was ok but for me not a repurchase.

Maybelline the smoother. This was one of the first clear primers I got. I like the lighter weight texture of this but don't find it performs as well as Revlon Photoready primer. I do think it's better for fine lines though. Another not repurchase for me.

Collection Primed & Ready. To be honest I don't like this at all. It's quite a thick clear primer and for me it doesn't improve wear time or oil control.

Rimmel Match Perfection. I really like this concealer. It's a highlighting and concealing. I really like this and it's the second tube I've got. It's perfect for under the yes and I'd definitely get it again.

Mac Pro Longwear (Review). This was the first ever high end make up item I bought. At first I loved it but then I thought there was better out there but every time I try this I like it more. I will be repurchasing this as I still thing it offers great coverage, doesn't look cakey and really lasts.

No7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser. I really love this. It offers soft natural coverage and is great for lazy days. I will be doing a full review soon. I have all ready repurchased this.

Revlon Lip Butter Candy Apple. This was the first and up until recently was my only lip butter. I go through phases with this. It has great pigmentation but I didn't think it was as moisturising as everyone said. I also think it run out quite quickly. The colour is very bright true red. For me I think I'd repurchase a colour like Red Velvet instead.

Natural Collection Loose Powder Neutral Translucent. This was picked up because I forgot my powder one time when I went home. I ended up really loving it. It's light weight, controls my oil and helps my make up last. Best of all it's a bargain!! Will by a repurchase.

Collection Fix Me Up. This is ok but doesn't work all that way and actually works out more expensive than Urban Decay so I won't be repurchasing this.

I'm finally starting to use up more make up. I just need to keep it up now.

Love M

xxx

NOTD: Avon Nailwear Pro+ Blue Water Lilies

I'm sure you'll be able to tell by now I'm a huge fan of Avon make up especially the lipsticks. You can see the Avon products I've reviewed so far here. Today I bring you on of their nail varnishes. 

The Nailwear Pro+ formulation is currently on offer for £3. What a bargain. That's what I love about Avon you can usually get great deals on the products. I think £3 is such good value. The normal price is £6 which I do also think this nail varnish is worth.

They Say

Nail enamel fortified with acrylic gel for strength and Dura-Plus Complex. 12 days of lasting colour, shine and nick-resistant finish. 

I find this formula to be really long lasting it also glides on easily and gives a gorgeous finish  in two coats. As for lasting 12 days. I can't comment on that as I never leave polish on that long but after 5 days it's still looking good.

I've got the shade blue water lilies which if you can find I suggest ordering (that's the only thing with Avon, due to campaign changes products aren't always availble). It's such a beautiful summer colour. It's a pastel periwinkle blue with a soft gold shimmer running through.

The gold through the blue looks stunning on. It adds a subtle shimmer without the colour looking glittery. 

I paired it with a gold statement nail (max factor Ivory) to highlight the gold in the polish. Ignore my shoddy topcoat. My beloved Seche Vite is going gloopy on me :(.

In sunlight you really notice the soft shimmer in it. This is a colour I've been reaching for lots lately. I love the shade and find it really flattering against my skin tone. It also looks great when I'm tanned. I love this shade of blue for nails and have been looking for it for ages. I have other light blues but none quite as pretty.

Are you a fan of blue nails? Have you tried the Nailwear Pro+ formulas?

Love M

xxx

Review: Outback Organics

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to be sent some products to try from Outback Organics. I had seen them on twitter and seen lots of positive reviews on their products so when they asked for people to try stuff I sent them our information.

Outback Organics is a company from Somerset (my home town) so that intrigued me even more. It's great to support local businesses. They've grown into a successful business which is used my professionals in salons and available to purchase online. We were sent three products to try. The Face and Body Scrub, Face and Body Wash and the Botanical Body Oil.

The Face and Body scrub was the product I was most excited to try. The scrub comes in a tube which I prefer in products. I'd much rather this than a tub as I find tubs like soap and glory end up with the product going gloopy as it gets water in it. As someone who uses an epilator unfortunately ingrown hairs are part of what comes with this method of hair removal. This product was developed to use prior to waxing or epilating to help prevent them and is gentle enough to then be used after and on the face.





I love multi-functional products. They are handy to leave my bathroom less cluttered. This product is a white cream with a soft exfoliation. No rough particles. The beads are a good size but don't feel rough on the skin. The micro-beads are make from jojoba which helps to buff away dead skin without irritating it. I've used this a few times a week since receiving it. I've had no reactions to it and I've used it all over my body and face. It's been perfect for the bits of skin left behind after spots and has helped with ingrown hairs. The scrub retails for £8.99 for 100ml. It's also not tested on animals (big positive) and is free from synthetic chemicals. I also have to add the smell of this whole range. I love it. All the products smell very spa like, they are fresh, almost woody smelling. They smell exactly like spa massage oils to me. I definitely want to try the ingrown hair serum from this range.



The skin wash is another multi purpose product but I've been using this just on my face. This is from the tea tree range. Anyone with oily skin will know tea tree is great for helping cleanse it. I usually stay away from tea tree products as I find them over powering and while this smells of tea tree it isn't as strong as I usually find them. The tea tree oil in this in organic and it also contains peppermint oil. The combination of these help to clean pores and prevent spots.



The skin wash retails for £5.99 for 100ml. I personally think this is a great price and this product will last a while. I like to use this in the mornings as it has a fresh scent to it. I also prefer to use a gel cleanser in the mornings. I feel like this is giving my skin a deep clean and leaves it feeling fresh and not greasy. This will definitely be a repurchase for me.



The botanical body oil is a product with four uses. It can be used pre wax, post wax, pre shaving and as a moisturizer. I've only tried it the last two ways. Being an oil I was definitely skeptical of putting it on as moisturizer. I don't enjoy the feeling of being slippery. This took me a while to try out. After I did I wondered why. It really is a dry oil. Which is quite an unusual texture. When rubbed in it sinks into the skin leaving soft skin feeling that lasts. This has really helped my sun burnt skin. I've been applying it morning and night and so far I've not had any peeling (fingers crossed it stays that way). It's really kept my skin soft.



I also tried it out under my shave cream (shampoos I didn't like) and found it made my shave much smoother. I definitely like this as a moisturizer and a spray bottle is much easy than a pot of body butter. I'm a fan. This retails at £11 for 100 or £15 for 250ml. I know which size I'll be reordering. If your a fan of dry body oils I definitely suggest trying this one. It'll last ages too.

I've really enjoyed trying these products and it's nice to find a new company that doesn't test on animals.

You can purchase outback organics online from here and they have some great July offers on.

Love M

xxx

Unfortunately for me I had a bit of an allergic reaction recently, so haven't been using anything new on my skin until it cleared up. You can see any pictures of it on twitter, but after a trip to a spa I was covered from head to toe in a pretty nasty rash which took a week of super strong antibiotics to get rid of. 

This meant that I haven't been able to try the Outback Organics products as much as I'd have liked.

I have however used the products once or twice (without any reaction!) and I think they're really great.

I tried the body oil first and that sunk in really easily leaving my skin with a sheen but not feeling greasy which a lot of body oils seem to do. It seems a lot drier than others I've tried and smells really fresh and clean, I'd definitely be interested in repurchasing this if the long term effects are as hydrating!

The face and body wash is also another that smells great. It smells of tea tree oil and from my childhood this always reminds me of being really clean and would be great for oily and blemished skin to fight off spots and kill bad bacteria on skin. It foamed up nicely too!

The face and body scrub felt really gentle and smells of rose I think? It's a really soothing smell and my body and face both appreciated how gentle the scrubby bits were as they weren't abrasive at all.

Another plus was the multi functional usage of the wash and scrub as you can use them on both face and body. This is perfect for morning showers when you are in a rush! 

I can't comment on how they are over time as I've only just started using them, but on initial usage I really like all three products and would definitely be interested in looking at other products from Outback Organics.

What do you think of these products? Do you like multi functional ones?

L xxx