Avon Haul

The lovely Lisa from Brunette Beauty Banter (check out her blog here) has recently become an Avon rep, and sells their products through her blog. My Avon rep from uni has graduated now, so I thought I'd give Lisa a little tweet and order some stuff through her.

I exercised some self control and only purchased 4 things, but I've got a couple more items on my list. (of course.)

 Ultra Colour Rich Satin Lipstick in 'Pout' £2.99

 Glimmer Stick Eyeliner in 'Magnetic Plum' £3

(don't let glimmer mislead you, it's a solid purple)

 SuperShock Mascara  in 'Black' £5.00

 Dry Oil Spray in Soft & Fresh £2.60

The lipstick is actually one of my favourite every day lipsticks, it's gorgeous soft pink with a slight hint of peach peeking through.  My last one is so nearly finished so I needed a back up, wears well and is such a great price.  I love dry oil and this one is so impressive, it sinks in very quickly leaving a slight sheen and no stickiness at all.  The scent is definitely 'fresh', very clean and Avon do offer another slightly sweeter scent which I have bought before.  Although the mascara wand is very big, and not my favourite to work with (definitely a few eyeball pokes occurred), the formula is what grabbed my attention. I usually do NOT get on with non-waterproof mascara, but SuperShock holds my curl all day with minimal transfer under eye.

Everything, apart from the Glimmerstick, I have owned before and have been very impressed with; the quality is amazing, especially at such affordable prices, the products really behave like products you would expect to pay at least double for. I can't see any reason why I won't continue buying from Avon. Plus, its always nice to support fellow bloggers!

You can find an eBrochure on Lisa's blog here. 

Also bear in mind, that Avon continuously do great specials and deals so the prices may be different to what I paid as they tend to change every month or so. But regardless, still super affordable!

Nic xxx

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Leopard Print Love

Just a quick post to share a little bargain I managed to pick up last week.

Topshop 'MADISON' Loafers £32 here

Weeks and weeks ago I spotted the 'Madison' Leopard Print Loafers in Topshop and have been umming and ahhing ever since. The £32 price tag just seemed a bit steep for my student budget. Yes, they are 100% leather, but it's not like I was going to be wearing them everyday.

And then the eBay gods answered my prayers and I found a basically brand new pair for £17. There was no way I could resist.

YAY!

I never thought I'd be pottering around in loafers, nevermind leopard print ones, but I absolutely love them. And have been deciding my outfits around the shoes just so I can wear them.

I've just seen they also come in a green and pink versions, but the original colour remain my favourite. I have also had my eye on the dalmation print version. Eek.  I've been stuck in a shoe rut lately, pretty much living in my suede chelsea boots so it's nice to have an alternative before it gets too wet outside!

Highly recommend them, they are really comfy. Even at full price I think they are worth it, great quality and I'm sure they'll last an age!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend and hi to my new followers. It's exciting to reach double figures! So thank you all for taking the time to follow.

Nic xxx

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November Hauling

Hello girlies!

I seem to have picked up a few new things this month, and although I took photos when I bought them but never got around to doing individual haul posts. So, I've decided to throw them all in together.  A few other items are going to be saved for individual reviews so look out for those.

First up is LUSH, until I started reading blogs I had no idea where to start. I'd always go in and smell everything but don't actually recall making a purchase. Now, I can't get enough! 

Calacas £2.95

Part of the Halloween collection. A wobbly shower jelly that smells lie lime, is but sweet at the same time. I love citrus scents, it's really refreshing. It also has a skull imprint on it, which is a nice little touch.

Snow Fairy 250g £5.95

The hype about this candy floss scented shower cream is definitely worth it. I think the smell is divine, but my housemate really doesn't like it. So, if you don't like sweet and sickly smells then I would avoid. As you can tell from the photo I couldn't wait to use it, but the thing that impressed me the most is how soft it leaves my skin feeling all day!

Daddy-O 100ml £4.75

I picked this up after some advise from the SA about what I can do to keep my highlights as bright as they should be. And she immediately recommended this. The shampoo is a deep violet which looks like it has a shimmer running through it. It's really gorgeous. I also read online it's great for anyone with dyed her to help it remain vibrant and shiny!

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Facemask £5.50

I mentioned this in my first ever post here and so it became my first ever Lush rebuy. The smell of blueberries is so lovely, and it really does help calm and soothe your skin, leaving it really soft after you rinse it off.

I've become an absolute dry shampoo fiend and when I read Tamsin's from little Glitter's post about Girlz Only's offerings I knew I had to try it. You can read her full review here. At only £1.50 for 150ml it was an absolute steal. 

It's available from Tesco, and does come a few scents I believe, although my Tesco only had the pink in stock. So I snapped up two. The smell is really nice, quite sweet and leaves my hair looking so clean. I think it may have taken over from my TRESemme dry shampoo while saving me a few pounds!

I feel in love with Mat Lumiere in the summer, and my interest was mostly sparked by the infamous Anna at viviannadoesmakeup. After trying out a sample I went back to Boots to pick one up, but the previous SA had written down the wrong shade, so I ended up getting shade 20, instead of 40. Which I then slapped on my face before realising it was far too light.

With my £15 worth of Debenham's beauty points, after 2 months I finally picked up the right shade! I was just mixing it before, but that is a bit of faff. It really is a beautiful foundation and I might have to pick up another before it gets discontinued!

If anyone would like any in depth reviews of any of the above products or has any requests at all please get in touch! Either via email or just in the comments below. Also, any Lush recommendations are always appreciated.

Nic xxx

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Panels & NOTD

I popped into Zara on the weekend to exchange a top, and I laid eyes on this little piece. It was love at first site. (I fall in love with clothes and shoes far too easily!) The faux leather panels really add some zing to an otherwise very standard top, but it still remains very wearable. I paired it with black skinnys, flat ankle boots and a khaki parka jacket to uni today.

 Excuse the webcam shot. Couldn't capture my face with the camera. May need to invest in a tripod!

Zara 'Special Edition' £19.99

 I just thought it was so cool, and different to anything I own.  The material is so light and falls really nicely. I am a very happy girl and for that price you can't really go wrong. I couldn't find it on the website, but it's definitely worth popping into a store as  Zara has some really great stuff at the moment, I was very impressed. Might have to add a few items to my Christmas wishlist. 

Nails of the Day

 I am currently sporting Essie's Lady Like with a couple random silver accent nails through in. I picked up Lady Like at Professional Beauty North in the Fall Mini Collection last month, and I've worn it quite a few times already. It's definitely my favourite of the collection, it's great neutral colour, perfect for autumn and I would describe it as a dusty grey based mauve (if that makes any sense!) My camera seems to pull it a little more pink than it actually is though! My index finger in the photo below is pretty much how it looks usually.

I've also used love&beauty by Forever 21 in Silver. I'm not sure if the UK F21 stores sell the polishes but they aren't available online. But if you get the chance to try them, I highly recommend them. I've got a few in my collection, great consistency, apply easily and last well. Plus, they are super cheap! In the US they retail for $2.80. I am majorly impressed by the quality of these polishes, especially at that price.

The Essie Carry On fall collection is available at the BeautyBay.com in full size bottles for £8.50

here

Thanks for reading!

Nic xxx

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FOTD: What Joy! & A Rediscovery

As mentioned in my previous post here is a FOTD featuring What Joy! from MAC. Kept my eyes really simple as the lipstick makes quite a statement on it's own.

Face

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC25

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NC30

MAC MSFN Medium Deep to contour

MAC Trace Gold Shimertone Blush to highlight.

Eyes

MAC Brule all over up to browline

MAC Wedge  blended lightly from outer v into crease

Collection 2000 Extreme 24 Hour Felt Liner in Black

Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Mascara in Black

A recent rediscovery for me is the Lancome mascara, I bought it so long ago that I can't even remember when. But I was really impressed. It wasn't clumpy at all and left my eyelashes looking really fluttery. Think I'm going to buy myself a new tube and give it a proper test as this one is quite dried out and so it flakes a bit.

I'm beginning to realise how much I rely on MAC products, even though I have a huge stash of non-MAC products. Think I'm going to have to venture out a bit more next week, and try use up some other products.  Maybe a MAC ban should be self imposed (foundation&concealer excluded!)

Nic xxx

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What Joy Comes in a White Little Bullet?

Hello and excuse the lame title, but I couldn't resist. I am beyond happy with my one and only purchase from the MAC Glitter & Ice Collection released a couple weeks ago now. (Although I'm hoping to pick up another on the weekend, Morning Frost Paint Pot, I am looking at you!)

Back in October, when the swatches went live on Temptalia I immediately added What Joy! lipstick to my wish list. It looked like the perfect berry red, a shade I had been searching for. So I sat waiting patiently for the release date.

Ouu so shiny!

I didn't even bother trying it on in store, just went to the till (after having a massive eye shadow/paint pot swatch session) and asked for it. I'm a bit of sucker for limited edition packaging, and I know some don't like the white, but I think it still looks sleek and not tacky at all. Plus the silver boxes are wicked!

How gorgeous does that look! In the bullet it almost appears like a deep reddy/brown but on the lips it transforms to it's true berry self.

Dabbed on as a stain / Applied properly.

This is what it looks like dabbed on slighty and then rubbed in with my fingers. It's a really nice wearable flush of colour. On my lips it does tend to lean a bit pink, but just dab on more for a deeper colour. It's really great during the day - not sure I'm brave enough to wear it full on during the sunshine hours.

As you can see it's a really deep, classy red. It is quite in your face, but very sophistacted at the same time. I am super happy I got my hands on it, it's like nothing I already own. The Satin finish means it's got a lovely sheen to it, and lasts really well. Lotta love for What Joy! Really is happiness in a bullet.

It's sold out on the MAC & Debenham's websites already, but may be available on local counters and concessions.

I'm going to do a full FOTD post later to show it off some more.

Nic xxx

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Colour Me In

The weather has been so depressing so I've been really enjoying bright lips. These are some recent additions to my lipstick collection.

L-R Impassioned / Show Orchid / Neon Orange

These are the truest representations of the colours.

I went into MAC in September when the Fall Colour Collection was released just wanting to pick up Show Orchid which I'd been after for a while, and walked out with all three.

All three are amplified finishes, and as a result are super pigmented and last ages. They have quite a sheen to them, and I haven't found them drying at all.

L-R Impassioned/ Show Orchid / Neon Orange

Impassioned

Impassioned is a hot pink, but on my lips its very warm and almost looks like a peach/pink to me. 

Show Orchid

I tried to capture the purple iridescence running through the bright fushia pink, which you can see quite well on the lip swatch. It is a really bright and eyecatching colour, when the light hits it it almost looks purple. It's gorgeous. Rely more on the hand swatch/ bullet for true colour though.

Neon Orange

This swatch is a little misleading, it's actually a very bright true orange, there's no red tones at all. The hand swatch shows it's true colour well. It's very simliar to MAC's Morange.

Neon Orange and Show Orchid are available permanently from the Pro collection, although Neon Orange is still available on the normal website. Impassioned is part the permanent line. 

Sorry the lipswatches aren't great representations, my camera seemed to dull down the colours the closer I brought it to my lips. Took multiple photos to try my best though.

Here's a little photo of Impassioned in action.

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Recent Empties No1

I love seeing empties posts, it's a great way to find out what products have been impressive enough to rebuy. They can be more reliable than intial first impressions, even after a couple weeks usage. So here are some products I've finished over the last couple weeks. 

Numbers four, five & six were all first time buys.

            one             two           three           

one. MAC Studio Fix Foundation NC25. 30 ml. £19.50

Lost count of the amount of bottles I've owned. Not quite HG status, but it works so well for me. Definite rebuy.

two. TRESemme Dry Shampoo. 200ml £2.65 at Superdrug.

This is the 5th bottle I've finished, great smell, doesn't leave white residue. Trying out a new (cheaper) dry shampoo, otherwise definite rebuy, it's replaced Batitse for me. Although on the expensive side as they never last too long.

three. Paco Rabanne Black XS EDT 50ml. £35.50

I received this bottle at Christmas, and I think it's my second bottle. I've only had one perfume since then, so it's run out really quickly! Described as 'amber and woody', it's got a very distinct, sweet smell. Love the bottle as well. Think will try something new, although probably repurchase in the future.

(i love the mens version as well, for men that is)

 

four            five               six

four. No7 Cleanse & Care Eye Make up Remover 100ml £7.75

Very gentle oil and water cleanser, I wear waterproof mascara daily, so need an oil cleanser. I bought it with a No7 voucher, works great but is very expensive for what it is. Nothing special basically. Will rebuy the Garnier remover for £2.99 for 200ml. here.

five. MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer NC30 £13.50

Bought at the beginning of the year. Doesn't come close to MAC's Studio Finish concealer, which has far better coverage and staying power. It's very creamy, and I found it creased under eyes. Will not be rebuying.

six. Boots Botanics Cleansing Body Scrub 250ml £4.59

Loved the idea of it being cleansing, loved the colour and the scent, which is very fresh. However, you need quite a lot of the scrub for full body so it has run out quickly. Leaves skin very soft,without being abrasive at all. Not sure if I will rebuy yet.

I finished an awful essay today so had a big of splurge in Debenhams today to help me feel a bit better about it. Which is something I actually do way too often. I spent last weekend back at home, (I go to Uni in Sheffield) and my mom and I had a lovely shopping trip to Brent Cross, where I picked up a few Lush bits and my mom treated me to a bit of MAC & Zara. She's a babe. Expect some haul posts soon!

Thanks for reading!

Nic xxx

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Shoe Porn: Sam Edelman

 I have been oogling these shoes for aaaaages and finally, come Christmas they shall be mine! 

Sam Edelman 'Lorissa'

 Santa (my mom) agreed to buy them for me, providing I wait till the 24th of December. They are definitely worth the wait, and I am ridiculously excited to receive them!

I was really stuck whether to go for the  silver studs instead, but they weren't on sale.   

I got mine from Nordstrom online (here) as my mom's boyfriend lives in the US, we can save on shipping costs. They work out £100 cheaper than buying them from any UK website I've seen. 

The full collection can be seen on the official Sam Edelman website. I have a feeling these won't be my last pair.  The nude suede with silver studs is definitely on my list! 

Nic xxx

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No7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

Armed with some No7 vouchers in September, I decided to pick Beautifully Matte for £8.50 and see if my years of avoiding drugstore foundations has been a mistake.

It does come with a cap, I just have a thing for losing them!
 

For reference, I have combo/oily skin and suffer from breakouts, blemishes and marks so I always go for fuller coverage foundations. 

Beautifully Matte's claims:

•     *Shine free for up to 12 hours
•  
•  
•  
•  
•  

*Balances oil production and minimises the appearance of blemishes
*Moisturising enough for dry skin, yet suitable for oily skin
*Colour stays true and looks fresher for longer
*Contains salicylic acid to unclog pores and heal blemishes
*SPF 15
*Full coverage

(Can't say I noticed the salicylic acid benefits, but I did start a new skincare routine just after buying)

Application

Although it is a thick creamy foundation it does blend magically into the skin, evening out skin tone and concealing imperfections and blemishes. You do need to work quickly however, otherwise I find it can look a bit cakey and you loose the natural finish. I work in small sections using a small amount, blending with either my fingers or MAC 187.  Great pump applicator which enables you to control the amount perfectly. 

Unblended                      Semi Blended

Finish

Very natural, with a silky matte appearance. Not powdery in the slightest.  You can see how the foundation completely disappears into my skin. Amazing!

Fully Blended                 Natural Finish

Wear

Beautifully Matte contains a patented fine, oil absorbing powder which continues to work all day helping to keep the shine at bay. Although I didn't get a full 12 hours, it wasn't until 8-10 hours I noticed some shine on the T- zone, and even then it was nothing compared to what I tend to experience, more of a slight 'dewy' finish, rather than a full on greasy shine. (Gross.) 

I am majorly impressed with this bad boy's staying power, the amount of foundation that I find is buffed off with my muslin cloth is ridiculous! It really does last all day.

Shade Range

With only 6 shades to select from there isn't much option. Reading some reviews on the Boots website it seems very light skinned girls have a problem finding a match. I wear No 10, New Ivory which has very yellow undertones and isn't ivory in the slightest, and was quite a good colour match for me.

Positives

+affordable with No 7 vouchers (otherwise overpriced)

+long lasting, shine control

+pump with great control

+plastic bottle- lightweight (but also a negative if you like to display your foundations)

+great for blemished skin- disguises and conceals well

+natural, silky matte finish

Negatives

-actual product runs out quickly

- limited shade range

-can cake if applied too heavily

-need to work in small sections and blend quickly which can be a little tiresome 

Would I rebuy?

For me, the biggest flaw is that I've been using it for under 2 months, and I have less than half of the bottle left. My MAC Studio Fix Fluid easily lasts me 6-8 months,so in the long run the cheaper price doesn't mean much, especially for someone like me, who wears foundation everyday.

  So no, although very impressed, I wouldn't rebuy. 

(I hope this post wasn't too long. I know I prefer to read more detailed posts about foundation so hope you all share the same sentiments.)

Also wanted to say hello to all my shiny new followers, it's so exciting to see people liked the couple posts enough to follow. So thank you! 

Nic xxx

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