Mini MAC & Drugstore Haul

I don't know why but I seem to think birthday's are an excused to 'treat myself'. So I've spent quite a bit of money over the last few weeks, probably didn't help that my birthday also meant the end of my eyeshadow ban, and I've gone a little over the top, buying another 4 eyeshadows after treating myself to Burberry's Midnight Brown. But I could justify it, as 3 of them have survived a long wish list that has been whittled away.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo On & On Bronze

When these were released I knew I had to get my hands on this shade, so I waited patiently until my eyeshadow ban was over, and then immediately purchased it. I definitely haven't been let down. It's a gorgeous bronze (duh) that is beautifully pigmented and has been the perfect product to slap on, and blends well using just my fingers. Ideal when you need to get ready for work in a rush, especially when you tend to sleep through your alarm like I do!

Urban Decay All Nighter XL

 This was a complete spur of the moment purchase, and with my fix+ nearly run out I decided to pick one of these up, and managed to let the sales girl convince me to buy the bigger one. I have read great things about this setting spray so I'm hoping it impresses me. I keep forgetting to use it though, so once I've given it a proper test I will review it!

MAC Studio Fix Powder NC35

The liquid version has been a dear companion to me for many years now, and after Yu telling me how much she liked it, I decided to just go for it. The coverage is probably a little to light for me when I apply it using a normal powder brush, but I am looking forward to playing around with it, which I haven't had the chance to yet. Bear in mind, the colours of the powder don't correspond to the liquid version, so you you might have to go up a shade or three!!

MAC Club Eyeshadow

These two MAC shades have been carefully selected to fill my final two remaining spaces in my palettes (I have one neutral and one colour). I absolutely looove Club, and can't believe it's taken me so long to buy it. It's an amazing duochrome colour, that changes depending what light it's in. It's got great depth to it, and it looks great paired with goldy/brown shades as a base. Can't wait to experiment a bit more with it.

MAC Patina Eyeshadow

This is also a unique colour, although it has a fairly neutral browny base, it's got hints of pink, gold and purple to it. I think this is the sort of colour that will change depending on who is wearing it, which makes it a lot more complex and special that it might initially seems in the pan.

Loreal Infallible Eyeshadow Eternal Sunshine

My local Boots has a pretty small selection of these pressed eyeshadows, and I sort of grabbed this on a post-ban high, and then wished I had gone for the silvery one. But I am glad that I got this, it's super pigmented so you need to be careful it doesn't come out too yellow. But when you blend this softly and pair it with a bronze you get a beautiful golden/bronze smokey eye. 

Maybelline Ceramic Blue Nail Varnish

This was definitely influenced by Essie Button, and I'm a sucker for pastel shades any. Really love it, it's even got the most subtle shimmer/irridenscence running through it. Definitely one to look out for! I got so many compliments when I wore it. aOnce I soak off my gel I'll be doing a NOTD, it's such a beautiful colour and I think it would suit a lot of different skin tones.

I should really put down my debit card, but payday is so soon! Arghhh.

Any recent new purchases you're loving? 

Please so send me your links, as I'm looking for some new blogs to read. :)

Nic xxx

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Recent Hauling

I know I only just did a haul post a couple days ago, but I felt because this was one was make up it was okay. Sorry, if anyone find them a bit boring, I personally love seeing haul posts/videos!

Real Techniques Core Collection

I've wanted this for ages, but paying the postage costs always put me off a bit.  I originally bought the stippling brush nearly a year ago and have really been enjoying it, so was curious to try out some of the others. When I heard they were going to be sold in Boots I headed down, to find it sold out at first, but went back a week later to pick up the powder brush for Yu, and there it hung in all it's glory. First impressions are very good, and I've actually been choosing the buffing brush over my previous fav, the stippling brush!

Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation 233

I don't know why it's taken me so long to look into this foundation, but a recent foundation collection video from Yu reminded me that I had wanted to try it. So I went for a colour match and walked out with it, oops. In my defence, Illamasqua don't actually give out samples, (which is ridiculous if you ask me) and the colour match is pretty good, it's a bit dark for everyday use, but works great for nights out which is exactly why I wanted it, and hopefully in the summer it will be a better match. I've only used it a couple times, but plan to do a full review in the near future. 

MAC Viva Glam Nicki

I managed to nab one of those advance codes, and so I received it a bit earlier than the official release date, which excited me more than it probably should have. I really love this, although when I apply it, the hints of peach disappear, and I'm left with a very vibrant almost highlighter pink. I wore this last night, and let me warn you, this baby leaves a stain. After 8 hours sleep I woke up with my lips still pink.

Bare Minerals Original  Golden Beige

I was soo excited to pick this up, it's something I've sampled before but never took the plunge.  I was between shades so I went for the slighty darker one as I thought it will be perfect in the summer anyway, and I can make it work when I've fake tanned. At the moment I'm using it lightly as a setting powder and it's working well. Once again, I'm planning to do a fuller review once I'd had a bit more use out of it, but it really is as good as I've read, with suprisingly good coverage. 

Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

Nic xxx

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Updating My Wardrobe

I am very attracted to all hues of green, from soft pastel mint, bright turquoise to deep autumnal green, but with Spring approaching the softer and more exciting shades have been catching my attention.

The Topshop earrings I first spotted on Maria's blog and fell in love, and luckily found them in store the next day, I can't find them online anymore. They have a mint green cotton thread wrapped around them, are quite large but don't feel too heavy at all; great statement earrings, and not badly priced at £8.50 either.  Zara Cutwork Ballerina shoes which are definitely the most I've spent on a pair of flats but the colour is so vibrant and really jazzes up a seemingly plain outfit.  And lastly, another gem from Zara, a light knit mint jumper with hole at the back, which was very reasonably priced, around the £15 mark, and fits beautifully. I couldn't find it online, but bought it about 3 weeks ago so it should still be in stores.

Anyone else slowly adding some Spring pieces to their wardrobes? Would love to see any other posts on wishlists or recent purchases, so please share!

Nic xx

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Professional Beauty Excel & Haul

On Sunday I headed to Excel for the Professional Beauty Show. I've been a few times before as my moms company exhibits there, but usually I'm working; this time I just went to see the new stand and have a wander round. Yu also came along, and we had lovely, albeit, slightly stressful time trying to maneuver round the crowds. The show is obviously a professional one and it's based more towards salons and spas etc, but you can pick up some good deals on nail polish and fake tan, without having to buy in bulk! I took a few pictures (still trying to figure out my new camera!) to share or you can just scroll to the bottom to see what I bought! Enjoy.

OPI Heaven

Yu getting her eyebrows did by my aunt.

Young Blood.

Brushes galore at Crown.

Essie

My mom's stand! Calgel/Christian Eyebrow.

I had such a good day, time went far too quickly and there were stands I would have liked to have had a nosey at but didn't get the chance. One in particular was Young Blood, but they had a small stand and two girls were busy using the products from the little displays so we just left it. I've heard such good things, so it was a little disappointing I couldn't have a little play.

 Nail polishes were definitely the highlight, and myself and Yu went a little crazy. You can see her post on the day, as well as her purchases here. (I hope I didn't scare her off too much with my comment about silver dangling balls.)

L-R. OPI Pedal Faster Suzi! Mavala Fresh Melon. Essie Topless & Barefoot. Mavala Toulouse. OPI Coney Island Cotton Candy.

Crown C209 Chisel Pointed Fluff

I'm getting really excited for Spring now, and I don't actually own a lot of creamy, or pastel colours so I really found myself being drawn to the colours above, and it was hard to limit myself. Malava's new 'delicious' collection is amazing, and I easily could have bought every shade, but I went for Fresh Melon as it reminded me of Chanel's latest offering 'June'. Toulouse is a lovely bright pink salmon colour. I've had my eye on Coney Island for a while, and am looking forward to wearing it, it's a very creamy yellow peach that will look amazing with a tan (to be fair, all of them will!). Topless and Barefoot, I've wanted for months but where ever I looked it has been sold out, so I'm very happy to have my hands on it finally. And the last varnish, is from the new Holland collection by OPI, Pedal Faster Suzi! it's a gorgeous lavender pink with very small silver flecks in it, which make the nails look super shiney, rather than glittery. A lot of the range seemed to be more Autumn colours which we found a bit odd, but this one is very season appropriate and looks great on.

I highly recommend Crown eyebrushes, I bought 4 back in November and they have really impressed me. They hold their shape really well, don't shed and are super soft, I haven't look back since. I picked this one up for £3 so it was an absolute bargain, and I know it will last, as I already have the smaller version!

Pedal Faster Suzi!

Did anyone else go to Pro Beauty? Or picked up anything from the new OPI collection?

Nic xxx

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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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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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