Inspiration: Hunger Games Catching Fire

Hello all!

I'm sure like everyone else on the planet you are all excited for the latest installment in the Hunger Games trilogy. When I first heard about it from a friend a while ago i thought....what the hell?!

But she persuaded me to read the books and I was HOOKED. I loved them and couldn't wait for the films!

In light of the latest film coming out this week I have decided to do an extra post with inspiration from the film and the districts, I hope you enjoy the ideas!

Unfortunately I've been struck down with some kind of flu; I've been suffering with the usual aches, swollen glands and ear ache so I've been confined to bed and watching a lot of tv.

Because I'm not looking quite as attractive as normal (ha!) I decided to stick to simple ideas and have a lip and nail idea for you. They're quite simple which is what i like best and i took inspiration from the name Catching Fire. 

First up is the nails, here's what I used:

China Glaze Smoke and Ashes (from the Official Hunger Games Capitol Colors Collection)
OPI Bond Die Another Day
OPI Bond Girls Liquid Sand Jinx
OPI Goldeneye
Revlon Sequins

Excuse the messy mid-way photo, I used to sponge to apply a gradient polish effect. I started with the black and green glitter from China Glaze and progressed from left to right using the polishes in the above photo.
I used a sponge to do this in multiple layers layering to the gold colour which i used on the tip.

The gold glitter is then applied all over for a 'spark' effect; you can't catch fire without one you know!

I hope you like my nail design, i had lots of fun doing it whilst sat in bed. It's always the best place to be when you're ill. I've even got myself some tea and homemade cake, lush!

My other inspiration idea was an ombre lip, similar to the nail design. I used the following products:



Rimmel Kate Moss 107, Rimmel Kate Moss 12, Maybelline Color Sensational 912 Electric Orange.





I also used Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner, Rimmel Scandaleyes Kajal and L'oreal Color Appeal Eyeshadow in Pure Gold.



I applied 107 to the outer corners of my lip, 12 to the middle and then Electric Orange to the centre of my lips blending together as I went.
In order to make the lip line neater I used the red lip liner to give my lips more definition and shape, and then used the black kajal pencil to make it darker at the outer corners.



To make the middle of my lips look even lighter I then used the gold shadow to highlight the centre and just dabbed it on the centre.



This was a lot of fun and a completely different look than I'd normally choose. I love playing with eye make up and this was a fun change from that; I'm not the biggest fan of taking photos of my mouth as i see some that look ridiculous and my lips aren't the biggest so have the worst pout!

What do you think of my Catching Fire inspired looks? Will you be trying either of them out?
Have you see or will you be seeing the latest film?

We're going Tuesday, i cannot wait!

L xxx

Bourjois Happy Light Primer

When we went to a Cardiff meet a few weeks ago all of us went off shopping. Of course we had to go to Boots. I'd planned on not spending anything but after trying this out on my hand I just couldn't resist picking it up.

The Bourjois Happy Light Base Serum Matte is a lightweight primer which seems to just sink into the skin without leaving it feeling masked and heavy as I find a lot of mattifying primers do.

It comes in a glass bottle with a pump which is my preferred type for foundation and primers. Glass bottles just feel more expensive to me. Annoying to travel but I'm not someone who goes abroad much so it's not a problem for me.

The primer is a nude colour and does feel as light as a serum. I love that this leaves the skin matte without feeling like silicon. It seems to smooth onto my skin and sink in. I've found it really helps my foundation stay oil free but I don't think it makes it last any longer. I am currently having a love hate with all my foundations and lasting power at the moment.

It is smaller than most other primers as it's only 15ml. It retails for £10.99 but I picked it up for £6.99. Due to size I wouldn't pick it up when not on offer. Luckily 3 for 2 is usually on in boots so I'll be repurchasing when this is on.

Would you be put off by size? Porefessional is another small size primer.

Love M

xxx

Having tried this on the back of my hand, I was super excited for this primer as like m mentioned above, I'm also having a love hate relationship with my base products at the moment.
My skin is finally under control (mostly) but make up wise I just cannot win.

I still get shine so I need powder and mattifying products but my skin is so much more dehydrated now that I need products that aren't going to clump and cake on my face. Sigh.

Packaging wise, i like the thin glass bottle and the sturdy pump that dispenses a nice small amount without wasting any product.

However the bottle is TINY when you realise there's only 15ml of product in there which is equivalent to a full size OPI polish. Although they are priced similarly at £10.99 for the primer, I just couldn't justify the price knowing that I'd use a decent amount of it every day.

This did apply nicely to my face and I found that I didn't need loads of product and I felt it mattified my skin and left it ready for my foundation to be applied.
After foundation application I felt my make up was 'stuck' to my face, mostly in a good way as it felt that it was going to stay on my face and last. However I didn't find that it did, on my cheeks and patches on my forehead my base clumped together in patches and my t-zone was still shiny.
I tried this with multiple types of foundations but unfortunately so far this has not been for me.

I'm intent on finding something that works with it to see if I do love it like others have, if you have any suggestions let me know?

Maybe I'd be better off with the other primer they've just released as there's also a Normal/Dry skin primer but as my skin isn't dry I'm not sure it's appropriate either?

Sigh!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Hi all!

I've been a busy bee over the past few weeks and have been saving up my empties for you as normal.

I've been a little bit pathetic at the non spending part of Beauty Rehab the last few weeks....Christmas sets and random trips have left me wanting and purchasing a lot, my poor credit card. That has had to stop pretty quickly though as I owe my parents a fair bit of money, so I'm back on the wagon....so to speak!

Without further ado here's what I've managed to use up this time:

Aussie 3 min miracle conditioner: Forever love this, my hair loves it, the smell is amazing, always a thumbs up.
Nioxin Shampoo: Can't say I was a fan, felt cooling which I didn't love and I think it stripped colour from my hair...booooooooo hisssss
No7 Eye make up remover: Love, have 2 ready waiting in the wings!
Batiste: As above, bought them on a deal, love it!
Avon Intensive Body Lotion: These are great value and really work, would buy again.
S&G Easy Glistening: I believe this has been repackaged, quite good...sometimes a little too glittery but the almond oil in it gave a great sheen.



Liz Earle Skin Tonic: Have the full size which I'm currently using, not decided if there' any benefits but it feels lovely and smells great.
Ralph Lauren 4 Lotion: Came with the perfume, sank in easily and not a strong smell, wouldn't repurchase on it's own though
Neutrogena Acne Wash: This one was bought by mistake by my American friend for me, it was nice but not what I was looking for.
S&G Hand Food: Love the smell and its a pretty good hand cream, glad to have finally finished one though as I have tonnes of it!
Origins Checks and Balances Cleanser: Love this, love the smell, cleanses my skin and I've bought another.
St Tropez Body Polish: Quite like this, its buffs but doesn't leave a residue but not sure its worth the extra price tag over others which do the same.
Origins Make a Difference toner: Looooooooooove this. The smell is out of this world and didn't dry my skin at all. I'm not a fan of toner but even I am considering repurchasing!



Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel: Can't decide on this one. Removes make up but turns into a 'milk' so gets everywhere and in my eyes.
BioEffect EGF Serum: This was a sample but a lovely one, worth a LOT of money....15ml is £125.....RIDICULOUS if you ask me. Obviously it was nice though....absorbed very fast and very hydrating.
Clarins Extra Firming Day Cream: This was from a friend, lovely consistency and great for my dehydrated skin
Vichy Normaderm Moisturiser: Loved this when I had oilier skin, it's still pretty good now especially for day. Not sure I'd repurchase as my skin has changed.
Essie Top Coat: Loved this, topped it up with a cheap polish to use the last bit but obviously wasn't the same...have another!
Almay Colour Correction Primer: Can't get any more out of the tube for some reason, was very hydrating for a primer but didn't feel like it did much
Molton Brown Shower Gel: Always love their smells, this was a great tester and very zesty
Max Factor Foundation: Nice and thick, great coverage but started to separate....I have had it a few years though!

YSL Nail Polish: Lovely colour, very sheer. Brush doesn't quite reach the bottom though
Origins Zero Oil: Bought when i had oily skin, have used it in the mornings to use it up and it's still really good at absorbing oil
HD Brows Powder: Great powder and I loved the design of the compact
Aesop Parsley Seed Serum: Love this, would snap it up again if I could afford it! Hydrating without overloading my skin, but at £45 for 100ml I cannot afford to repurchase
Origins Make A Difference Rejuvenating Gel: Will be repurchasing, favourite smell of the whole Origins range and has the best effects.
Elemis Shower Cream: Couldn't see the fuss with this shower gel, it's just a shower gel...very nice smell but not worth the extra pennies as i needed a lot for a lather too.
Bioderma Micellar Solution: Loved these, will have to get some to compliment my eye make up remover as sometimes you just need a bit more!



Last picture!

Bioderma Samples: Won from twitter. There were a whole load of them and maddeningly I loved every single one! I will just HAVE to try out some full size versions of them too!
Sudocrem: Great for those days when my skin is overloaded with oil and whiteheads, dries them right up if a little bit harshly. Not for regular use!
Lush Daddy-O Shampoo: This was purple and scared me and my highlights...but it was amazing! Stopped them from changing to a weird colour which is what was happening at the time. I no longer have them but would get this if I did
Rimmel Max Curves mascara: Love Rimmel mascaras, this one is good for the price as always but it wasn't my favourite of their range
L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes: Loved this which was a surprise. I'm lucky with my lashes and don't find expensive mascaras are that great but this was a happy medium when on offer as it was a little more but with better results.

So that's what I've been using!

How has your stash going? Is it growing or shrinking?
I'm trying my best but it just doesn't really seem to be going anywhere!

L xxx

25 Before 26

Morning!

Bit of a lifestyle and list post for you today.

I keep seeing lots of these doing the rounds, they're like mini bucket lists and as lover of lists I think they're awesome. I have quite a large list of things I'd like to do/complete over on my 101 in a 1001 page here, but most of these are expensive and probably completely unachievable in the time I have left; things didn't go quite as I'd thought.

Instead I'm going to start breaking it up and aiming to tick off a few things in smaller installments. I'm 26 in March next year, so I'm giving myself the target of ticking off one task for every year that I've existed so far.

Here's my 25:

1: Visit another place in the UK, my aim is 5 and I've ticked off 2. Another one should be achievable in this time; suggestions below please!

2: Read 4 Classic Books. 20 was my aim and I've only read 1, I can surely manage to get a few of these read over the next few months as I have a lot on my kindle for free. I'm going name a few specifically to ensure they're read and fill up more of my 25! First is Robin Hood

3: Second is Frankenstein, I've heard its a great story and a complete classic

4:I also plan on reading the real Beauty and the Beast

5: The real Jungle Book

6: Wuthering Heights

7: Treasure Island

8: Dracula

9: and lastly the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. This is quite a list.....fingers crossed I get some time off soon! 

10: Try 2 new foods. My aim is 10, surely 2 more can be done over Christmas!

11: Visit an art gallery; cannot think where this will be but I'll have to find one

12: Give blood - this is simple and I have to fit this in somewhere; maybe on a week off

13: Work harder at toning up - I've put on a few pounds recently and am feeling a bit too pudgy for my liking. Need to drop 7lbs and I'd be happy, this sounds easy but my diet is pretty good and I exercise 3/4 times a week as it is. If I work harder though it can happen!

14: As a sub list I have a number of new things I'd like to do to make this happen. Firstly, I'd like to try rock climbing, it's supposed to be a great way to tone your upper body and I'd love to give it a go. There's an indoor climbing centre in Cardiff so I think I'll start there

15: Start yoga/pilates - still haven't tried a class and I think it's about time I tried one. Body Balance is the class at my gym that combines a number of stretching and poses so I think I will try one of these and start there!

16: Gorge walking - a fun day out that my dad and brother also want to do, winner! Family time will always be a good thing

17: Run 10k - Initially my aim was to run 5k but I do that regularly now. Running 10k is something that terrifies me but i have to get there to complete other challenges! My friend has recently signed me up to do a 10k at the beginning of March. I have no excuses now...

18: Go ziplining - there's a Go Ape near me that does this kind of thing, definitely need to go!

19:Go to a gig - no idea what one yet but something!

20: Learn to cook something new, one of each sweet and savoury

21: Continue to plough through the excess of 'stuff' in my possession. Capsule wardrobe be mine!

22: Learn basic things to fix on a car - this is ongoing having just bought my first car. The winter will bring lots of issues that I'm sure will be a learning curve for me!

23: Go to London over Christmas - this might seem easy for some of you but I've never wandered around London at Christmas just to soak up the festive spirit and see the shop windows in Harrods and Selfridges. I've booked my train tickets for December so will definitely be going!

24: Visit an Antique or Vintage Fair - hopefully I can find one of these in the next few months. It would be great to wander around one of these and see what gems can be found!

25: Write a short story. I'd love to write a book but it is such a mammoth task involving so much free time that I just don't have at the moment. I'm sure I can stretch to writing a short story, even if it's something based on my own experiences!

What do you think of my list? Achievable?

Hopefully I can get a load of them done over Christmas and then I can check off more! I have a week off coming up so fingers crossed I can get some reading etc done then, and maybe an outdoors task.

Do you have a list of tasks you'd like to achieve by a certain date?
Do you have an tips for achieving them all??


Send me any links you have to your own lists, I love reading them!

L xxx