TBS Matte and Shimmer Cheek Colour in Pink

I recently destroyed my bronzer :( - it all decided to crumble to pieces in the tub.

So I picked up the Cheek Colour to give a go. Now a bronzer last me ages, because I'm pale I don't like to use a lot - so I thought I would try this in the pink and skip the whole bronzer bit (I've got Bare Minerals Warmth and Lily Lolo - Waikiki, mineral bronzers anyway!)

What I like about this, was that its Matte and Shimmer (I have BIG ISSUES with overally shimmery products)

(broken a bit of already!)

Done a quick picture of it just swatched on my hand, as well as blended.

(swatch)

(blended in)

The end result is a nice pinkie/goldie colour, which is perfect for the summer and my skintone. Just perks up my skin nicely for a sun kissed look.

Overall - Even though I was actually replacing a bronzer, I've ended up with a great cheek colour for summer.

The Body Shop - Pistachio Eye Colour

Just a quick post really!

With my birthday money - I thought I'd have a go of The Body Shops Eyeshadow. Not tried them before and really liked the look of Pistachio - and for £6.00 and £5.00 off for my birthday month BARGAIN!

I liked the look of this cos its a bit of the dirty/minty/grey green with slight golden look to it. Probably not a great description but best I could come up with sorry.

In the picture below you can see the golden bits picked up by the camera.

Love the way it looks!

Given that I've never tried them before, I really liked it(now purchased a shimmer cube as well - review to follow). Only complaint would be that it doesn't tend to loosen a lot of powder when you use the brush - so it does get a little messy!

Overall I would purchase others!

Lx

Quinoderm Cream

I've recently had a bit of an acne breakout on my chin. Which when you not on the good side of 25 truly sucks :(

The last time I had this was when I just turned 20. I went to Ayia Napa (enough said) and got ill on like my second day, and was there for 2 weeks! I got a throat infection and laryngitis - ended up taking what can only be described a horse tranquilizer. So this combined with lack of sleep just destroyed my skin.

When I got home I ended up using Quinoderm and it worked wonders.

So when the problem came back I thought I would give it another go.

Its a quite a thick cream and you apply a 'thin layer 2 or 3 times daily by gentle massaging over all the affected area'

Its main ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide 10%ww and Potassium hydroxyquioline sulphate 0.5ww

It does burn a little (for some it may just tingle) and you definitely don't need much.

So I'd been using it for about 3 days when I noticed by skin starting to itch where I'd been applying it (it reaaallllllly itched). It all became quite sore and I had to stop. My skin also looked like it was peeling in places and it didn't even clear up the acne!

I also forgot that it really bleaches things. See the evidence below......my poor pj top.

When I first used it - I now remember ruining a few bits of bedding and quite a few pj's.

So after a few fun days I'm now left with a sore itchy patch of dry skin and a bleached pj top.

Verdict - Hell no, never again!

L :(

GIORGIO ARMANI - Fluid sheer skin illuminator (shade 10)

So this is another of my goodies from Selfridges.

I have to admit I've never looked at the Armani makeup range before. Its not just that I've got to travel down from Lancaster to Manchester, I've just never though to look - that's definitely going to change now.

Right down to the review. I was sent shade 10 - which in the pic looks quite dark but I wouldn't say it comes out like this at all but given that its comes in 7 other shades there is plenty to choose from, so don't be put off. I have to admit I probably would have gone for a lighter shade if I was picking myself.

From selfridges site:
'Adds radiance, polish and definition to your complexion - and can also be mixed with your foundations'

It was voted Instyle's 'Best Skin Illuminator in 2009' and on Makeup Alley a total 24 reviews have given it 4.7/5 - so is definitely considered good.

It does have a orangey tone to it and it has quite a thin consistency to it (a little more watery than I would like it). But it does blend in well - in the pic below I've only blended a little and you can see how it spreads.

In the end it does blend in well.

I'm very pale, so I was worried that I would look like I've gone crazy with the bronzer, but it leaves my skin with a nice glow - skin kissed haha. I would recommend only using a little cos as I said before its a bit watery.

I actually love this and was my samples gone - this is so on the list of future purchases. However at £32.00 it is a little expensive. So if anybody could recommend a good alternative?

Lx

LA PRAIRIE - Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream

This was one of the goodies I received through from Selfridges. I've been given too little sample packets - but a little definitely goes along way. I've been using one packet now for 3 days, both in the evening and in the morning.

'La Prairie's Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream is a luxurious firming cream that drenches skin with moisture and nourishment and improves the skin's elasticity. A real delicacy'

This isn't a brand I would usually purchase (waaaaaayyyyy too expensive if I'm honest - I could never justify buying it!), but I'm really loving using it.

Its feels quite rich but blends in great under the eyes and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. It made my eye area feel so soft and I've even seen an improvement in the few lines I've been developing around my eyes.

Overall I love it and would like to purchase again but at £186.00 from Selfridges, I definitely won't be. I think my fiance would kill me.

Oh well - its been great having the chance to play with such a high end product! But for the price I would say that there is are lot more products out there, that do the same/better job for ALOT less!

L x

Sorry from Selfridges.......

I got a nice surpirse last week when I got home from work. Selfridges had responded to our complaint about MAC's rubbish costumer service at the Trafford Centre. They'd left a message on my voicemail and asked that we phoned them back. As it was my fiance in the end, who sent the complaint - he really wanted to speak. After quite a lenghty conversation - where he didn't raise his voice once and did point out that some people were working and not just doing their OWN makeup or gossiping.

Selfridges were really nice about things and ended up sending some goodies through! and on Monday a big box was delievered :)

So this is what was in the box:

1. La Prairie - Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream x 2
2. La Prairie - Cellular Revitalizing Eye Gel
3. Clarins - Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
4. Clarins - HydraQuench Cooling Cream- Gel x 2
5. Clarins - Eyes Contour Balm
6. Giorgio Armani - Fluid Master Primer
7. Giorgio Armani - Fluid Sheer Highlighter
8. Clarins - Instant Eye Makeup Remover
9. Clinique - Mild Facial Soap
10. Clinique - Anit Blemish Solutions
11. Dior - Lip Maximizer

£30 gift voucher - yay ;)

and as it was my fiance who sent the complaint - he was sent some goodies as well (quite funny really cos he is so not into male grooming! but already loves the Giorgio Armani Fortifying serum haha)

1. Giorgio Armani Skin Minerals for men - fortifying serum
2. Armani code samples x 2
3. Clarins Gel Hydratant Mositure Gel for Men x 2
4. Clinique for men - M Lotion daily hydration
5. Clinique for men - Face Scrub
6. Clinique for men - Age Defense for eyes.

Still nothing back from MAC but Selfridges have been great and I'm very happy I contacted them

Forgotten Illamasqua and MAC Birthday purchases

Ok so I'm a bit rubbish and managed to miss two of my birthday purchases!

I picked up an Illamasqua Sheer Gloss in Rousse and MAC Frost Lipstick in Angel

Love both of these colours! Both just look so cute on - would point out though that the Illamasqua Sheer Gloss in more pink than it looks here (would say it was more a candy pink).

The Gloss isn't sticky at all (which is why I have such an addiction to these glosses) and smells so sweet and edible.

Angel is actually my first MAC lipstick and I love it. It looks very natural on, so its perfect for everyday.

All in all, very happy with my purchases.

Lx

Birthday Haul

So I've been abit MIA lately - firstly it was my birthday last weekend and then my niece's and mums this weekend just gone! So just been very busy!

My niece's party was the best bit it was so much fun, my sister hired an adult size bouncy castle yet she was only turning 2! So the adults were on it most of the day :)

Anyway back to the post :) So with my birthday money I picked up a few bits. I have to admit that after the drama in the trafford I didn't get as much as I wanted but still got a few bits

1. Bag - River Island

2. Soap & Glory - Beauty Make Yoourself Youthful Super Rejuventating Face Serum

3. Bare Minerals - Prime Time

4. Revlon - Colourstay in Ivory

5. Soap & Glory - Supereyes Moisturising Eye Gel

6. Soap and Gory - The Fab Pore

7. Bare Minerals - Get Starter Kit in Light/Fair

8. Accessorize Goodies

9. Lilly Lolo Samples (quite a lot actually haha)

I'll post a reviews once I've had a good go of things. Still need to pick up need to pick up a new perfume though........

Lx

Lush Breath of Fresh Air

Thought I'd do a review of this as I've just finished my first Bottle. So the obvious question that arose was - Do I want to repurchase?

Well firstly the product promises to:

'Tone without tightness. Soften your skin with aloe; feed it with vitamins and minerals. Reduces dryness, soreness and redness'

I've been using this daily since I got it. I use it just before my moisturiser - sprayed directly on to cotton pad and then wiped over mt face (althought some morning I spray it straight on my face and then a bit on a cotton pad and wipe over face)

It can also be sprayed directly on to your face when you need as a mist - also good in the lovely air con offices!

Its got a very refreshing smell - not to strong (which is great for me)

Verdict - Overall I love this product! I suffer from redness around my nose and on my cheeks and I have seen a change in this - not massive but enough! My skin doesn't feel tight after use and its definitley feeling softer. My Skin just looks healthy and feels in much better condition. I just don't think I could be without this is my dailt rountine - so going to repurchase!

MAC: Disgraceful Customer Services!

Ok so I know its my Birthday and I'm banned from the laptop for the weekend, but I'm so annoyed and just needed to rant about it now!

So I posted yesterday that my fiance was whisking me off to the Trafford Centre today for a nice treat (I live in Lancaster - so its about an hour there and back! so not just around the corner).

I really wanted to go and get a nice pink MAC lipstick and try the foundations. I'm very fair so wanted to be colour matched!

Got there and went straight to Selfridges and started playing with the lipsticks (I would say there was about 7 staff on the corner and about 5 customers - including me and the fiance). I eventually decided on Angel - Just a perfect everyday lipstick for me!

So at this point I've been there 5 minutes and no-one has asked me if I needed assistance, which ok I do prefer that but I now wanted to get the lipstick and pay for it. Tried to get someones attention but nothing (a girl behind the till just turned her back on us and applied makeup to her already OTT face!!) I was starting to get annoyed at this point!

So not wanting to make a fuss I went back to play with the lipsticks again and see if I could get anyone's attention (the fiance really doesn't cope well in these situations and didn't want to just keep quiet! but as it was my birthday he said he would behave). At this point a young girl walked up to the counter and a blonde shop assistant appeared from nowhere and asked if she wanted any help and proceeded to go through about 20 different lipsticks with her - I'D BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT 10 MINS NOW.

Couldn't stand it any long and off I went to Illamasqua, very angry and upset

I got helped straight away and after pruchasing a new cute lipgloss thought to myself DAMN IT I CAME HERE FOR A DAMN LIPSTICK AND TO TRY THE FOUNDATION AND I WAS AT LEAST LEAVING WITH THE LIPSTICK! ITS NOT EVERYDAY THAT I CAN GET TO A MAC STAND

Got back to the counter and was making sure I was happy with the colour choice. So I was sticking it on my hand and showing the fiance, when the blonde shop assistant (still helping the young girl) pushed my arm out of the way to get a lipstick and got lipstick on my cardigan!!!!! I WAS BEYOND FUMING!!

So fiance thought sod this and opened the storage drawers and found the lipstick for me and we proceeded to the till to be greeted by the girl from earlier who turned her back on us to apply her makeup. She still didn't come to serve us, so the fiance had to go and break up another two having a chat and get one to serve us. He voiced his disgusted but I just wanted to leave at that point.

I just cant believe how bad the customer service was!! and whats worse that it seemed to be just me that was being ignored, as there was never more than a few customers at the counter at one time (I purposely had got there for when the Trafford Centre opened).

I've had some really bad customer service before but this was awful - it felt as though I didn't exist. Problem is I like the products, but no way on earth the fiance is going to take me back there now!

So sorry for the long rant but I just couldn't get over how bad my experience was and too top it off the young girl left with nothing and I was fully prepared to purhcase a foundation, powder and a number of lipsticks today and instead came home with over half my birthday cash left!

Lx

Birthday Weekend

Well tomorrow anyway ;)

Yep I'll be another year older and to be perfectly I'm not taking it all that well!

(I'm on the wrong side of 25 already!)

so I'm having a bit of a sulk :(

But to cheer me up my lovely Fiance is taking me to the Trafford Centre tomorrow

(and promised to try and not get annoyed when I've spent the last 20 mins in one shop)

So the plan is, that, as I currently don't own a MAC Lipstick I thought I would pick one up as a treat. Only really got into wearing lipstick this year - I'm a die hard lipgloss lover.

- fancy a cute everyday pink!

Also going to have a look at the MAC Foundations and see what I think!

Other than that just on a hunt for:

1. New Bag - always get a new one on my birthday and at Christmas

2. A Primer - been given some good suggestions so off on the hunt!

3. A New setting powder - possibly MAC

4. Perfume - I want something cute and summery.

I'll do a Birthday Haul next week!

Finally just a quick Happy Birthday to my twin, Kirsty, for tomorrow as well!