Perfume Empties

Hi my lovelies! I don't generally do "empties" posts and I don't know why because it shows I really love a product and have used it up. At the moment my perfume drawer is over flowing and I've got a few that i absolutely love with just a few more sprays left in. So time to share them with you.

Hugo Boss Orange.


This is just the warmest softest most comforting smell out of all my perfumes. I think this is easily my 6th bottle and I already have a new one waiting in the wings.

Bvlgari Crystalline Omnia. This is just amazing, heavy without being overpowering. I generally wear this in the evening but it could be worn in the day.



Miss Dior Cherie L'eau.


This is a fresh, floral, crisp smell. This is just a great fragrance that can be worn day or night. I generally wore it on special occasions and it pains me to say that it has been discontinued (major pet hate). So while I am here to rave about it I'm afraid it is no longer available.

What are your favourite perfumes? I'm always looking for good recommendations. X

Reviewing Nails inc Gel Effect Polish

Hi my lovelies, it's not often I do a nail related post so this is a bit different for me. I get my nails done at the salon, a gel manicure with either French tips or occasionally a colour. I was in John Lewis recently and saw this colour Kensington High Street in a gel effect polish. I love gel finishes as they are so much shinier and last longer without dreaded chipping. Now it's hard for me to review a polishes longevity on my nails as they are gel and nothing really chips off but I've had this as a pedicure colour for over a week and it's still perfect. I absolutely love this colour and have had so many compliments on it. It was about £12 so not cheap but for me the colour and shinyness (I don't think that's a word) are worth it.
Hope you are all well x

Japonesque Brow Beauty

Hi ladies today we are talking brows! Until recently I did nothing to my eyebrows apart from the usual plucking...because if I didn't...well that's a whole other story! So Cara Delvigne brought the strong brow into fashion absolutely ages ago and while she rocks that look amazingly there was no way I was going down the big brow root. Then theres the filling in of brow type thing that everyone does. What to use? Pencil? Felt-tip style thing? Powder? The lists are endless and I genuinely didn't have a clue! However Japonesque kindly sent me their brow kit probably about a year ago and it's only just worked it's way into my daily routine. This is so easy to use and as long as your light landed you won't look like something off a trashy reality show! My eyebrow hair is dark but thin so I just wanted to fill them into look naturally a bit thicker and darker....nothing major just something to frame my face a little better.

It comes in teeny tiny small packaging.


I use the angled brush with the lighter colour and sweep it through each brow gently. Then brush through with the brow grooming brush.

Excuse my well loved product.



The two colours.


Top photo is before.
Middle using lighter brown.
Bottom using dark brown.


As you can see they both give a natural finish which is so important to me, my personal favourite for daytime wear is the middle as my hair is a dark brown at the moment.

Anyone use anything else on their brows that is amazing? Tweet me @iz222

Stila Sales Haul. Positively Pink Blusher Review.

Hi my lovelies, I know it's near the end of January and probably a bit late to be talking about my sales haul but there's a blusher in here that deserves some serious talking about.


I picked up the Breast Cancer Positively Pink Set and some wet to dry shadows that I've not had chance to try yet.

Anyway this set cost around £8 I think which is super cheap for Stila products. I'll be honest they were bought on a whim after fee at makeupsavvy did a blog post saying there was some bargains to be had. I didn't expect much but boy was I wrong!


This is the prettiest, freshest pink colour I own. It has the ribbon style highlighters running through it which make me love it even more as I love a pretty shimmery blush. Basically for now I've tossed aside any other blush I own and this is my favourite! It stays on all day, you can build the colour up nicely, it's just in a word ahhhh-mazing.

Swatched.
Left is pink alone.
Right pink mixed with ribbon highlighter.


I'm not sure if you can still get hold of this as a set so cheap but if you see it then snap it up, and I'll be honest all of a sudden I'm now more intrigued about the stila line in general so I might be checking out what other blushers they have:)

Hope you are all well x

My Top 5 Lipbalms.

Hi my lovelies I'm here today with another requested post. It's all about lipbalms, now being an absolute lipbalm junkie this is a fun post! I'm going to give you my top 5 in order.


1. The winner is Dr Lipp Nipple Balm for Lips. This....well words can't explain how amazing it is! It is lanolin based and originally used for nursing mothers as the name would suggest. This is apparently used by many make up artists under or over lipsticks, it just stays on, smoothes lips and doesn't leave you with that awful tightness after it has worn off. Priced at £12.50 it's up there but considering the price of a few below and how well this actually works it's the hands down winner.


2. Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Lipbalm. This is more greasy in texture but lovely all the same. It lasts a fair amount of time on the lips and has the typical 8 hour cream smell. Priced around £15.


3. Carmex. This badboy has snuck in to 3rd place due to the price. It works, gives a nice fresh tingley feeling but also constantly leaves you wanting reapplication. This is a cheap and cheerful solution to dry lips.


4. Dior Creme De Rose. What a lovely treat on the lips. Smooth, creamy, rose smelling beauty! Priced at £20 so very high end. For a treat I would buy this (mine was a present) but possibly not something I would constantly repurchase.


5. eos lipbalms. This has made it in due to the cutest packaging ever! I love these little balls they just look so cute in your bag. A nice fresh lipbalm, does the job and instantly smooths. Not the easiest to get hold of in the UK though, we have Balmi which are very similar in cubes available at Boots.

Bloggers made me buy it tag!

1) Who are your most influential bloggers? Who are the ones that you really rely on for reviews and swatches?
From the UK Fleur from Fleurdeforce, Annie Jaffrey, Tanya Burr and Kaushal from Beauty Fulfilled. They are all very honest and provide good in depth reviews. From the US Tati from Glamlifeguru and Ingrid from Miss Glamorazzi.

2) Do you buy a product solely as a result from one review from your favourite bloggers, or do you look for more reviews from others?
I have been known to watch a FleurdeForce video and "need" a product immediately but generally ill google a few more reviews.

3) What is your most favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?
Probably my Real Techniques brushes, they really are every bit as good as people say.

4) What is your least favourite item that you have ever bought as a consequence of blogs?
The Ren Glycolactic Renewal face mask. This brought me out in really painful spots.

5) Name 5 products you have bought recently as a result of blogs?
Soap & Glory lipstick 'The missing pink', Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Quad 'Dolce Vita' and Blusher 'Love Glow', Magnetic Lash Mascara and Wet n Wild lipstick in 'Cherry Picking'.

6) Have you ever given into blogger hype? If so, which hype?
I guess both Urban Decay Naked Palletes are the first that spring to mind and Maybelline Baby Lips.

7) Have you ever avoided blogger hype? If so, which hype?
The cello shot blusher things by Estée Lauder I believe had huge hype...I avoided that, also the UD Naked 3 Palette!

8) Is everything you buy based on blogger reviews or are there some items you buy without checking out a review?
If I'm out shopping and see something for myself then I fully go on my own opinion, swatched on my own skin there's nothing more true than that. However if it's a new product I've heard about ill check out a few reviews and then go on the hunt.

If you haven't already done this tag then I tag you!

Favourite Concealers

Hi my lovelies, I decided that due to my new blogging schedule of Tuesday, Friday and Sunday it would be nice to get a few requested posts on here too. A lovely twitter follower requested my 'Favourite Concealer' post.
Now this really isn't that difficult for me as I have been using a combination of 4 Concealers on my face every day for pretty much 6-8 months. So I'll go into a short description of each and where exactly I use them.

First up this guy needs no introduction Nars Creamy Radiant Concealer. 'Ginger'.


I am on my third tube of this so it really is about time I talk about it. It is exactly what it says....creamy and radiant. I dab a few dots under my eyes with the doe foot applicator after I have applied foundation and buff it in with my sephora mineral powder brush. This concealer is quite thick yet doesn't crease easily, gives great coverage without looking caked on. This is something pretty special so next time you see this at a beauty counter definitely give it a swatch and get matched.

Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener 'Light to Medium Peach'.


I actually use this to highlight my face so swipe across my cheekbones, down my nose and around my mouth then buff buff buff. This is absolutely beautiful if you have dry skin as it leaves you glowy and dewy but I don't think oiler skin types would suit using it in this way.

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer 'Natural'. Excuse my incredibly loved product!


So after I have set my foundation and 2 above Concealers with a setting powder I dab this on with a brush underneath my eyes and mix it with Maybelline Fit Me. Dab dab dab with my fingers and I have bright under eyes. Together these two just work amazingly as a final step. The bright eyed fresh look is never going to get old!

Now reading all of this sounds a bit crazy but it's a very honest post and this is exactly what I use daily and they just work for me. I do suffer with dark under eye circles and this lot just banish them!

Maybelline Fit Me '20'.


Easily the best concealer in the drugstore, it's brightening, blends beautifully and gives great coverage. I can't recommend this enough. This is about my 6th tube, I try to pick this up on 3 for 2 at Boots.

Hope you ladies enjoyed this post and if your looking for a new concealer it gives you a little more information.

My Birthday!

Hey my lovelies! Last week I celebrated my 29th birthday and it was such a lovely day. This is a post to share some of the fab pictures.


I got lots of amazing beauty bits so here is a photo of just a few.


Thankyou to everyone who made my birthday very special, I had a family dinner at home, went for a pamper day with my sister and a birthday family lunch out too. It's been busy and so much fun. I'll be using these products soon and getting back to you with reviews:) x


In this picture I'm using the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita Palette and Love Glow blusher.

My week in Instagram photos

My Vanity Area

Hi my lovelies! Today I'm giving you a a sneak peak at my vanity area. I love posts like this so for anyone else that does then read on. My room is the 'box room' of the house so maximising storage is key. The drawers I use here store the majority of my most used make up and are from the 'Moppe' range at IKEA. I have done a previous post on spray painting and lining these drawers so feel free to take a look back at that.


A closer look at the items.


This is a beautiful vintage tray given to me by my mum, I literally adore this. I'm a sucker for all things vintage and this just fits the theme of my room perfectly. On top I store a few foundations and primers. And in the lipstick holders are my YSL Rouge Volupte Lipsticks, these have to be in here as they are the just stunning. There's a little Tarte Marajuca oil and Vichy Eyes & Lashes serum I'm trying out.

I bought 2 mini candle holders, one has Tarte Lip Crayons and the other Tarte lipglosses.


Another vintage piece given to me by mum is a crystal pot.


I store my brushes in a faux box book, i prefer this to using jars like most bloggers as I hate the idea of dust falling on them and being transferred to my face especially as I'm so lazy when it comes to cleaning them.


Hope you all enjoyed this post and if anyone has any requests then leave me a comment or tweet me @iz222

New favourite lip combo.

Hey my lovelies, I'm sticking to my new blogging schedule! Whoop....let's see how long it lasts :) Okay a new favourite lip combo, these are 2 products I'm reaching for at least a few times a week so it's definitely time to share them with you.

Soap & Glory Lipstick "The Missing Pink".
Dior Creme De Rose lipbalm.


I've read a few blog posts about this Soap & Glory lipstick with my favourite one being from Le Beauty Girl so be sure to check out her blog. This also turned up in FleurdeForces November Favourites and I'm an absolute sucker for the products she recommends as they are genuinely all amazing.

Miss Glamorazzi has raved about this Dior lipbalm and it's around £20 so most definitely the higher end of the lipbalm scale. I got this for Christmas and absolutely love it. Now I use these together as I love the lipstick colour but definitely feel it needs something over it to give it a glossier softer finish therefore pair these together.i wouldn't say the lipstick is drying however it's not as soft and creamy as the lipsticks I usually enjoy wearing.

Swatched.


A close up of the balm, a beautiful pink colour in the pot but clear when on the lips. The packaging is also beautiful it's quite heavy and feels great quality.


A huge thumbs up to both of these products that haven't left my handbag in a while!

My week in Instagram photos

I'm a lucky girl...new Mulberry

Hi ladies! I know this is a beauty blog but my other big passion beauty aside is handbags. The newest addition to my collection is the Mulberry Lilly. I usually don't blog about bags just tweet or Instagram but this is my first 'smaller' bag. I generally like bigger bags that get lots of use like the Prada Saffiano Tote or Chanel GST. However for a while I've been feeling that no matter how dressed up I am as soon as I pair it with a big bag it can just dress down the outfit so quickly. Therefore the time has come for me to get something I can use in the day but most definitely perfect for the evening. I opted for the medium lily rather than the small one as I like something around the medium Chanel 2.5 size. I know I'm a very lucky girl to have got this bag and if anyone is looking for a new purchase then I highly reccomend it. Mulberry have fantastic quality and excellent customer service.
Hope you are all well x

Just to let you know I have a new blogging schedule so expect new posts Tuesday Friday and an Instagram Weekly Post on Sunday.

Soap & Glory Powder Trip

Here ladies we have my one and only sales purchase of the year which is quite frankly shocking! I am usually stocking up on the Space NK website or frantically ordering on the Boots website but this year I can honestly say nothing bowled me over. That and the fact I just ordered a new mulberry bag so I couldn't really justify more beauty products I don't need! The one thing that caught my eye was this Soap & Glory Powder Trip. Originally priced at £20 it was still a steal as individual powders are £11.
I picked this up for £10 in the sale.


So inside top left there is a luminizing face powder, a multi shimmer blushing powder and lastly a multi shade bronzer.


Swatched.


The top left for me will most definitely be used as a highlighter, very subtle for daytime wear. The darker side of bronzer could be good as a contour. And lastly the multi tone blush is a gorgeous rosy shade that I think will look lovely all year round.

Hope your all well and found some amazing bargains!