Easter/ Westfield Haul

Helloooo, I'm back!

This posted was supposed to be up two weeks ago, but Uni has taken over my life, and when I do have some time I just don't seem to have to energy to think of anything to write that would not bore you to sleep, and I really didn't want to put up a half-arsed post! It's now 3am, and I've just finished my prep for my second essay and really felt motivated to get this up!

This is a bit of a mixed haul, but mostly it was from a little trip to Westfield while I was at home at Easter. It was mostly an excuse to meet up with Yu, and we had a lovely time- hope she appreciated me getting up before 9, that doesn't happen too often. We started off at Pain le Quotidien (great place for breakfast/brunch and reasonable too! Definitely recommend) and discussed our mutual appreciation for runny eggs before showing her my make up bag, and being told 'ouu you're one of those', (my used lipstick takes on a sort of scooped slop, rather than being flat.) We then spent a good few hours milling round the shops, swatching, oogling at handbags through windows, and spending too much money, more me than Yu, but I had cash burning a whole in my pocket. Anywho, on to my purchases...

Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser

Continuing on with the idea of simplifying my skincare, and reducing the amount unnecessary chemicals that go on my face I picked this up. I had already picked up the night cream version which I am actually in love with and will do a full review on it soon.  After a couple weeks use, I've really enjoyed this, although next time I think I'll go for the normal version, but it works really well as a mattifier, I just find with Double Wear (my foundation of choice) my skin doesn't really need extra mattifying.

Kleenex Facial Cleansing Wipes

These were on special in Tesco, and I'd read they're quite good and 'moist' (urgh, horrible word). I like to keep some wipes at my boyfriends house just incase I forget my make up remover, and I've only used these a couple times but I'm seriously unimpressed. I feel like they just tug on my skin a lot- maybe I got a bad pack, or it just doesn't work well with Double Wear.

NARS Luster Blush

Definitely influenced by Yu's raving about it, and although I wasn't planning on picking it up when I saw her, it had been on my wishlist for ages and I decided to just go for it. And I really really love it, and will definitely do a review and hopefully face of the day!

Benefit dr feelgood Primer

Yu and I looked at this at Westfield, but I didn't actually buy it until I was back up at uni. My best friend from home used to wear this when we were younger and I was always fascinated by it. My POREfessional had nearly run out so I decided to bite the bullet. At the moment I'm a little undecided about how I feel, and will do a full review when I've used it a bit more.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir 

Totally gave in to all the blogger hype, yes it's refreshing, but no I don't notice any improvements to my skin or brightening, no wows here and it's running out ridiculously quickly. So again, I'm very torn- it's a nice enought product, but I don't think it delivers on all it's claims. But then again, I've only been using it 3 weeks.

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil (for dehydrated skin)

I'm sososo glad I listened to Yu and picked this up, okay more like invested, as it's not cheap. It really deserves it's own post, gets a massive thumbs up from me! 

Topshop Innocent Lipstick

I originally wanted Infrared, but decided I don't wear my bright orange's enough so justify buying a third one, so when for a more wearable everyday pink. I had previously bought the Strawberry Shortcake Revlon lip butter, but lost it, so decided to go for something different!

Dove Nourishing Oil Conditioner

I've spoken about my love for the express treatment before, but decided to try out the normal version as well to see how it compared. I've only used it twice so far, and have really liked it, not sure if it's going to replace the express version though!


I would quickly like to wish everyone luck who's coming up to the end of year exams/assignments, or are doing them at the moment. It's really not a fun time of the year is it!?

Full reviews of some of the products above will be coming when I can squeeze them in.

Have you bought anything new lately? I love reading haul posts, so feel free to send me your links (and youtube channels).

Nic xxx

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My Week Without MAC

Hi girls, please be warned this is a bit of long one!

Having decided I rely waaaay to much on my MAC products, I avoided using any for the whole of last week. My self imposed rules meant where I would usually grab a MAC product, I had to go for an alternative. Foundation and concealer have been excluded as my Studio Fix is the only thing with enough coverage and the right colour match at the moment.

So here's what I've been wearing:

Not included in the photo are my standard eyeliner & mascara which I don't have alternatives for, and obviously my foundation & concealer. Looks so pathetic without them!

Eyes

Urban Decay 'Naked Palette'

Sin.Naked.Sidecar.Buck.              Sin. Naked. Buck

I didn't use Sidecar because the fall out is something stupid, which is frustrating as the shimmer is so lovely. So, I just stuck to the three on the right hand side of the photo. Using Sin with Naked blended into the crease for a bit of definition during the day; sometimes opting for a smudged eyeliner along upper lashline. Saturday night I went out, so I added Buck to create a darker smokey eye and used my Collection 2000 felt liner. I've also been using Primer Potion that came with the palette instead of my MAC PP.

Cheeks

Illamasqua 'Laid' Cream Blush      Benefit 'Coralista' Blush

I've been alternating between these two blushes. Coralista is just over a month old and I've really been enjoying it. Love the soft peachy shimmer.  Laid, I'm ashamed to say, has been in my collection since July and I hadn't used it once! So it was nice to have a play with it. Yes, it does looks scary and very bubble gum pink the pan, but using my Sigma F55 Duo Fiber Stippling Brush, helps avoid being too heavy handing and applies a light flush of health colour. Using fingers works well too, but I prefer the brush.

 Highlighter

Bobbi Brown 'Bronze' Shimmer Brick

I have really fallen in love with my MAC highlighters,  but this week I discoverd how gorgeous the Shimmer Brick is. I've been using the top two colours as a highlighter,  I just rub my fingers over both the colours and then blend into the top of my cheek bones. I only acquired it recently when my mom said she didn't use it anymore so I could have it. And absolutely love it. One day, I just gave my F55 a light swirl over all the colours and used it as a light shimmer blush, as the bronze tones work really well with my skin tone without being too in your face.

Lips

sticking to the highstreet

 
No 17 Mirror Shine On 'Beehive / Topshop Lipstick 'Coy'/ Avon 'Pout'

Beehive has been my go-to lipstick all week. It's gorgeously glossy without being sticky, and adds a slight hint of colour. I've had it for 4 months now and I'm nearly finished.  I feel less guilty wearing highstreet lipsticks during the day, saving my higher end for the evenings. 

I reserved Coy for my one night out and had to use it with Carmex otherwise I found it too drying. Gorgeous colour and I got a few compliments on it. I know it's a really spring/summer colour but I finally found it the other week after searching all summer for it, and couldn't resist.

As mentioned in my Avon Haul post, Pout is one of my go-to lipsticks during the day. In the bullets Beehive and Pout look really similar, but Pout has a better colour payoff, and is more of a creamy peachy/nude.

So, you can see I kept it pretty simply. I hardly ventured out apart from a few lectures and then out on Saturday. It was nice to reduce the amount of make up to choose from, so it really helped minimise my getting ready time, and that was actually really refreshing. Might have to start shopping my stash a bit more, I do feel guilty about the amount of make up I hardly touch.

I've really been enjoying The Sunday Girl's Sunday Shopping the Stash feature, and really motivated me to do my MAC free week.  It really helps rotating your make up and avoiding getting stuck in a rut (like moi!).

Phew! If you managed to get through all that I've very impressed. Thanks so much for reading. Please share your shopping the stash posts as well!

Nic xxx

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What I've been loving lately #1

After multiple attempts at the awkward first post, I've decided to jump straight in and have a bit of a round up (which you might have figured out from the glaringly obvious title).

Face

No 7 Beautifully Matte Foundation

This was an absolute surprise for me- armed with No 7 Vouchers last month I decided to take a gamble. It seemed to promise everything I want from a foundation- shine free, long wearing and full coverage, and it really delivered.

MAC Trace Gold Sheertone Shimmer Blush

I bought this at the beginning of August and have worn it pretty much everyday. On my skin tone (somewhere between at NC25-30) it has a gorgeous subtle colour which really helps to brighten my face. Great for every day use.

NARS Laguna

Do I need to say much about this? I don't really use bronzer during the day, but find this great for contouring in the evenings.

Eyes

MAC Painterly Paint Pot

I use Painterly as a primer- helps my eyeshadow to last all day and is great for neutralising my eyelids which can be slightly red first things in the morning.

MAC Woodwinked E/S

Lately I've been applying this all over my eyelids and smudging some Badgal liner along the lash line and I'm good to go!

Benefit Waterproof Badgal EyeLiner

I usually have a problem with my eyeliner ending up all smudged under my eyes- even when applied to the upper lashline only- but not with this. About 6 months ago I tried out my moms and I was sold. I'm so impressed with it, at £14 it's not the cheapest option but so worth it in my opinion. 

Hair

LUSH Solid Shampoo- Jumping Juniper

Love how much this lathers and really makes my hair and scalp feel super clean.  Perfect!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment

Leaves my hair feeling so soft, and the smell is deeeevine and really lasts all day.

Macadamia Oil- Healing Oil Therapy

Received this as a birthday present in July, it pretty much does the same as all oil treatments which are around at the moment, but I have found I've reached for this over my VO5 one- I love the smell, and the way it makes my hair feels. My ends usually look very dried out on the second day after I've washed my hair, but I've not noticed this much since I've been using it.

Skin Care

Origins Clear Improvements Charcoal Face Mask

I usually suffer from quite a shiny T-Zone, especially during the Summer months but  I've been using this 1-2 times a week and found these has really helped. My skin really does feel great after using- although I haven't noticed that it's helped with decongestion much but worth it for it's mattifying effect. Pricey but I've had it for over 2 months and I can't even notice much missing from the tube.

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Face Mask

Smells of blueberries and really has a great calming effect on my skin, perfect for reducing inflammation and redness.

Before I end this mega post, I would like to give Yu from Let's Make Yu Up a big hello. If any one but her ever reads this, and hasn't read her blog they should definitely head on over. She is so lovely and uber friendly and really helped give me a bit of a push in starting this blog as well as  answering a lot of questions! So thanks a lot for all your help Yu.

And just to give you a bit of an insight into my obsession here is a photo of the make up I recently took with me for a three day trip to Vegas (apparently I have an inability to pack lightly).

Photo courtesy of my beautiful friend Olivia.

Nic xx

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