Urban Decay Event

Happy Easter All

Hope you're all enjoying some tasty Easter treats! I'm currently waiting for a tasty pizza to be delivered as there has been no Easter roast for me this year :(!

I've been given some tasty Easter treats though and they've been tucked into.

On Friday we went to an event for the launch of the new Electric Palette from Urban Decay. I was really intrigued to see how they'd use the palette as for me (and I'm sure many others the palette looks really scary at first!)

The ladies from the Cardiff Urban Decay counter are brilliant and so helpful. I love that we all had face charts of the looks that were going to be created so we could remember all the products used. We also had a pen so we could easily write down any tricks! (like you can use the pore perfecting primer to turn an eyeshadow into a long lasting lipstick!)

L absolutely loves Naked Skin at the moment and did purchase it after the event. At the moment my skin is too bad for such a lightweight foundation. 

So here is the beautiful Electric Palette. The packaging is gorgeous!! I absolutely love it. The colours are pressed pure pigments so are super pigmented and can be used in a variety of different ways as was demonstrated!! They convinced we I totally need it but I don't know if I'd actually use it so I've resisted for now. The palette contains 10 eyeshadows and a brush and retails for £38. The shadows are all a decent size too and will last forever! And at only £3.80 a shadow it really doesn't work out that bad!

The first look created was one to show how to subtlety use the palette for everyday wear. The slight bit of pink through the crease looked so pretty on and subtle. I'd also love to use the amazing blue shade (Chaos) and the purple (Urban) as coloured liner!

The next look was a more full on look for a night out. I love that they used the jilted pigment on the lips. It makes such a gorgeous colour. The eyes remind me of a parrot in a good way. I'd love to have this look done on me for a night out. It really did look amazing. I'm not sure I have the skills to recreate it.

The final look included coloured brows, a pink contour and using the shadows as hair chalks!! I'm totally in love with coloured brows. As I have pink hair at the moment I'm so tempted to try this. I'm not sure I'm confident enough to pull them off. This would be amazing counter/stage make up!

There were lots of products to play with. Myself, L and Nina (from the little nomad!) were swatching everything!! The new glitters look amazing. Some of these were used on the lips and the eyes in the final look and really finished it off.

Thrash (the yellow green shade) looks really scary in pan but really looks great when used a little on the inner corner. It was also used where you'd use highlight to bring out the cheeks!

Here is Chloe at stage too prior to false lashes!! The colours really pop and she makes it look really wearable!



And the final look. Look at those brows!! I'm in love!! The eye make up is so stunning. I love how creative the girls are!!

Such an fun afternoon. L and I enjoyed some shopping after and we will be sharing our purchases soon!

Thanks Ladies!

Love M

xxx

Una Brennan's Super Facialist Range

Happy Saturday lovelies!

Hopefully the weather is shaping up to belong to this time of year and everyone is out and about. i do love the first pub garden visit of the year! If not....at least it's EASTER BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND! Hurrah! Chocolate galore!

You've probably heard of Una Brennan's Super Facialist Range by now. I picked these up quite a while ago during a 3 for 2 deal as I'd heard such rave reviews about the range and for some reason they've just sat in my drawers.
I've decided to be good and rotate my products a lot more to get the best use out of everything so I've recently rediscovered them and here they are!

Her ranges are designed to give you the opportunity to give yourself an at home facial without expensive products and so you can get salon skin without the price tag.
It's quite a big claim and I do wonder if anyone at all can succeed in this!

First up, the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask. This has been created so that it is even suitable for sensitive skin and is a thick white cream that you apply to dry skin for 5 minutes before removing it.

This allegedly boosts skin moisture levels and radiance by utilising white willow extract, vitamin U and urea with marshmallow to hydrate and replenish skin.
Applying this once or twice a week this should save my skin from the dehydration issues its been having lately.

As my skin has been that temperamental I was initially worried it would irritate my skin or make it extremely oily. I'm glad to say that this didn't happen at all and my skin more nourished after use. I've even applied it as a moisturiser at night and left it on until the morning which was great too, no irritation and baby smooth skin!

Definitely a thumbs up from me!


Next up is the Miracle Makeover Facial Oil from the same Rose Hydrate range.



This pre cleanse treatment oil contains many natural oils including raspberry, carrot and avocado to eliminate impurities from the skin and encourage cell regeneration. It also contains brown algae and Calendula oil to soothe even the most sensitive skins leaving it feeling supple.
Sounds quite a lot from a little oil used before cleansing doesn't it??

It's directions state you apply a generous amount to your hands to warm it up before applying to your facial skin and massage it in circular movements to dissolve impurities and open pores before cleansing as you normally would.

I've used this a number of times and you need a few pumps (3/4) for a normal face of make up but if you've got heavy eye make up on you'll probably require an extra 1 or 2 as it can be a bit stubborn when the oil is absorbing into your skin. Having said that I really like it and it does a great job of dissolving make up and has become a fixed part of my skin routine. I sometimes use a face wipe to remove the make up from my face before cleansing to dissolve some of the crap but this is definitely a less harsh alternative and works well without irritating my skin or coating it with oil. I just wash my face with my cleanser of choice as normal and I'm good to go.

The Mask retails at £8.99 but is currently on offer with £3 off, and the Miracle Oil retails for £14.99 but is currently £9.99 both from Boots.

Will you be trying either of these products out? What products have you tried from Una Brennan before?

I've heard so much about the Vitamin C brightening products I'm going to have to give them a go!

L xxx

Fitness Update

Hello!

I thought I'd start today's Fitness Friday off with my own personal fitness review. A few weeks ago i attended a session with my trainer and I'd been working so hard to get a few pounds off. 

If you've never read a fitness post of mine before then let me fill you in. I'm 5ft 9 so quite tall for a female and a few years ago I weighed a little more than I do now. A few years of uni binge drinking and late night take aways meant I'd piled on about 14-20 lbs (I'm unsure exactly as I've never been someone who weighed herself).

Due to stress i found myself feeling ill after every meal and kept getting stomach cramps so I ended up changing my diet completely cutting out crap food, dairy and bread, and citrus fruits as they were too acidic for me. I lost 17lbs and ever since have been OBSESSED with food in a good way and I absolutely love going to the gym, planning my meals, and generally eating as who doesn't love that?

Obviously i love a binge like everyone else but I've totally changed my lifestyle over time and now i don't crave bad food unless I'm hungover, I combat stress with exercise and I'm generally enthusiastic about the whole thing, reading and researching new foods, recipes and workout routines.

However as with all stories that go along this line, even with my relatively healthy diet and regular exercise, usually 4/5 times a week I've been finding it hard to shift some pounds. I'm not overweight by any means, my BMI is 22 and I regularly do weights so probably have more muscle than others but I'm really conscious of trying to get my fat % down. 

I actually can't remember my specific percentage as my trainer keeps it all recorded for me, but i was OVER THE MOON when I had lost 3lbs of fat the last time I was weighed. It was a huge confidence booster and I was so unbelievable happy.

I've got a long way to go to getting where I want to be as I'd like to lose a further 10lbs of fat before the summer but I'm clearly doing something right this time.

Moving on from that my trainer also gave me my new program which is AMAZING! I'm so into it at the moment that I could scrap all my classes and running just to do it, but I need to keep up my stamina in the others too.

This routine incorporates box step ups with weights, mountain climbers, lunges and lat raises with weights, and squat and press with weights.

In total I use the cross trainer, bike, rower and treadmill for short bursts of cardio and i also have a circuit of exercises to do using TRX which I repeat three times.

It's an all over body blast and although i love it it does take a considerable amount of time. Sometimes i have to cut out the third circuit of TRX exercises because there just isn't enough time during the week.

How have your fitness routines been going lately? Have you got any new programs you'd like to share?

Do you have any running tips for increasing distance to 10 miles plus?

I'd love to hear any of them!

L xxx

Beauty Rehab

Good morning!

Another Beauty rehab update for you today. I've been ploughing through my stash and moving it around a lot to try and make space and encourage me to use more. It's a long and slow process but I've got into a sort of routine now and clearing things out regularly is a must do as there are always things you can give away and make more space,which is something I could definitely do with!

Origins Ginzing Eye Cream: Loved this and the pinky tone which is lovely, sad to finish it but have a sample one to use.
China Glaze Pool Party: One of my faves which was unfortunately not closed after its last use...its hard as a rock! Gutted, will repurchase in future.
Origins Drink Up Intensive mask: Love this, still have sample sizes from Christmas sets to keep me going.

Bourjois Happy Light Matte Primer: This wasn't bad but for the price and size totally not worth it. I'd easily use one in a few small weeks and i find Revlon to be better
Vichy Dermablend: Super fave foundation, already repurchased 100% recommend.
MAC Studio Fix Fluid: Love this though I hate the smell, good coverage and thick enough to cover serious blemishes.
Benefit Hello Flawless: I can't make up my mind on this one, I love the brightening dewy effect it gives but it doesn't last long enough for me whatever primer i use.

NSpa Hot Cloth Polish: This was a great alternative to Liz Earle's original one and I'd definitely purchase this as it is very similar for a much smaller price.
Liz Earle Skin Tonic: This surprised me how much I liked the routine and the smell of the toner but to be honest I don't feel like it did a lot for me, but I'm not a toner lover anyway,
St Tropez Bronzing Mousse: Love this, hate the price but you get what you pay for! Love the colour and it lasts, already repurchased.

Batiste Dry Shampoo: Love this, have a stock ALWAYS
Ojon Revitalizing Mist: Helps to condition hair and detangle it but I don't think its worth the price tag, there are cheaper alternatives in my opinion.
S&G Clean On Me: Absolute mammoth size shower gel, gorgeous smell and lasts a lifetime. I always feel like its an accomplishment to finish it! And I always seem to have another in the sidelines...

Collection Illuminating Concealer: Wasn't a huge fan, much prefer the Lasting Perfection one as its a lot thicker and I prefer the wand.
S&G Thick and Fast Mascara: Massive brush that reaches every lash, good for the price and even better when you get it in the Christmas set every year!
Revlon PhotoReady concealer: Loved how easy this was to apply, just draw onto your face! Blends easily and covers everything.

Powders are a it of a thing for me obviously!

Bourjois Mineral Powder: Contains a sponge for portable travel but i wasn't a fan and the smell was a little off putting (very powdery and old woman like!)
Rimmel Match Perfection Loose Powder: Loved this, first time I've used a loose powder and I'd definitely repurchase.
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder: Didn't finish this as it became coated after use and to be honest it wasn't good enough for me to try and scrape the top off and try again.

So there you have, this was what I managed to use up and get rid of this month.

What have you been using up? Do you agree with my views on some of these products?

L xxx