Urban Decay 15 year anniversary eyeshadow palette

     I have been so excited about this palette ever since I heard they were releasing it! Before I had seen it I thought it would be full of bright, daring colours, because Urban Decay do like their brights, but to my surprise most of the shades are very wearable & the palette would be perfect for all natural eye/smokey eye looks! There are a few more daring shades if you fancy a pop of colour, making the palette more versatile & enabling you the freedom to play around & create some adventurous looks! This palette is simply gorgeous! Each shade is brand new for this palette, offering a perfect mix of lights & darks, neutrals & brights, satisfying every possible eyeshadow need. 

 

All in all I am so impressed by this palette, it's so versatile & would be perfect for just about anyone! Every shadow is really pigmented, offering amazing colour pay-off. Some shadows are ridiculously shimmery, such as Midnight Rodeo, so you have to be really careful about fall-out, but that's no surprise when you're dealing with Urban Decay shadows. As long as you can handle the shimmery fall-out, you'll love this palette! The packing is simply sensational, it looks like every penny of the £39 went to good use! The velvet-lined compartment that holds the palette gives it that extra touch of glamour, & the shiny gun-metal box has beautiful detailing giving it an ornate look, making it a perfect dressing table feature!

 

Midnight rodeo, Midnight 15, Vanilla, Flow, Chase

                                         
                                            Tainted, Junkshow, Omen, Evidence, Deep End

                                         
                                                 Deeper, M.I.A, Ace, Blackout, Half Truth

    You can buy the palette from House of Fraser or Debenhams for £39 which seems steep but for 15 shadows that's only £2.60 per shadow, which is a dream compared to Mac's shadows that are a whopping £11.50 each! At least have a look in store & go see for yourself. If any of you have already picked up this palette, let me know what you think. Does it give the Naked palette a run for it's money? Any thoughts girls?

Thanks,

OOTD: polka dots & studded shorts

     Today I was messing about with my DSLR & I found my fisheye lens, so I thought I'd have a bit of fun & make an outfit of the day with it. Today I'm just off to the shops so I'm keeping it casual, & no surprise it's pouring here in London so I'll definitely be needing the leather jacket! I haven't posted one of these before, which is strange seeing as I have more clothes than sense, so this is the first of many!

Polka dot blouse: H&M

Studded denim shorts: Topshop

Leather Jacket: River Island

Necklace: H&M

Lipstick: Mac's Costa Chic

Thanks, 

What's inside my Glossybox: August 2011

    It's that time of month again! Yes, once again it's Glossybox time. I was so excited to open this one after how amazing last months one was, & to be perfectly honest I wasn't as impressed, but still pretty pleased with my goodies. Enough with the chit chat, let's take a look inside...

1) Murad time release blemish cleanser:
     Salicylic acid is the hero ingredient in this dual action, extra gentle cleanser. Clinically proven to increase cell turnover, it reduces blemishes while diminishing wrinkles and keeps your skin smooth and glowing!
     I'm almost out of my Liz Earle cleanse & polish so this was perfect for me! Plus my recent unexplained break-out needs sorting out so it looks like help is on its way! Maybe it'll give my c&p a run for it's money...

My deluxe sample: 30ml
Retail price: £29 for 200ml

2) Ahava mineral body lotion:
     Part of Ahava's new My Skin Reborn range, this quickly absorbed richly moisturizing lotion draws on the properties of dead Sea minerals to effectively hydrate, nourish and protect the skin.
    It's not the most exciting product ever, but who doesn't love a good body lotion, ay? It's a perfect size for when you're on the go & I'll probably end up taking this away with me to Egypt in a few weeks. Perfect!

My deluxe sample: 40ml
Retail price: £18 for 250ml









3) Daniel Sandler jumbo jet mascara:   
Jumbo jet is the only mascara a woman needs when she wants high-performance, luscious lashes. After one stroke of the brush, lashes can appear thicker and longer.
     Now that's what I'm talking about! After seeing the wand I was so impressed, it's definitely one I'd pick out for myself! I'm expecting amazing things from this mascara...

MY deluxe sample: full size
Retail price: £14.75


                                          


4)KMS California hairstay style boost:
      Primer for your hair! The foam-to-liquid crackle formula enhances natural movement and bounce while boosting the performance of styling products, for a style that lasts up to 3x longer.
     I'm not really a hairspray kind of girl, & generally I just stick to what I know so maybe this product will break me out of my comfort zone. Fingers crossed!

My deluxe sample: full size
Retail price: £10

5)Rebel nails nail wraps:
     Welcome to the nail revolution! Rebel nails' nail wraps are easy to apply, long lasting and kind to nails. No chipping, fading or wear. Amazing professional finishes and designs are now available at your finger (or toe) tips!
    Disappointing. I suppose I've always been intrigued by nail stickers & have never actually tried them so this is an opportunity to see what they're all about. I just wish they weren't a paper bag colour & for my toes. I've spotted some snakeskin print ones on their website so I might buy some if these turn out to be worth it. Who knows, maybe I'll be converted!

My deluxe sample: full size
Retail price: £7.99

So that's it, overall I'm pretty happy, it's only the nail stickers that have let the whole box down. It's definitely still worth the £10 so I can't complain really. What did you get in your Glossybox this month?

Thanks,

Sorry

I know it's been a while since my last post, but I'm still quite new to Youtube so I've been focusing on that & neglecting my poor blog. But now I've written a huge list of ideas for my blog & I'm making myself a schedule so that I do a few posts a week, so basically... I'm back!
   It probably hasn't helped that my mum has taken my camera on holiday with her, so the next few posts might have quite horrific quality but I'm sure you'll all forgive me! If you have any requests or ideas for me then please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks, 

What's inside my Glossybox: July 2011

     I've waited over two months for my first Glossybox & it has finally come! I had to try to control myself & not rip it all apart at first sight. I somehow found the patience to take photos as I opened it, so let's see what was inside my Glossybox...

For those of you who don't know what a Glossybox is, it's the UK's version of a Birchbox (US). You pay £10 a month to receive 5 deluxe samples of high-end beauty brands. On the website you fill out a little questionnaire style section so that they can get to know you & what kind of products you would be interested in, and then your Glossybox will be personalised to you. Because of this, everyone's Glossybox will be unique, and tailored to them. My favourite part is that the products you receive will be a complete surprise until the box arrives on your door-step!

 

    1) Ciate nail enamel: From the ergonomically designed bottle, the deliberately long cap for ease of use and the 250 bristle flat brush for long lasting, full coverage: Ciate takes exceptional care to make applying their beautiful enamel colours a pleasure.

     I was so pleased to see this full size nail polish in my Glossybox, I'd seen them before but have never actually owned one. The colour is a little out there for me, & I probably would have preferred the blue or nude shades that I saw in other peoples box's, but I'm hoping this shade will push me out of my box & get me to try out more vibrant colours. It's such a beautiful colour for summer, & makes a lovely addition to my little nail varnish collection.

Retails for: £9

                                             

      2) Illamasqua powdered metal in Ether: Powdered metal creates anything from a subtle sheen to an extreme metallic finish on the face and body. The shimmering pale gold adds radiance to bronzed skin, and highlights your skin where applied.

 
  



   I was so excited to see an Illamasqua product in my Glossybox, & the fact that it is full size makes it even better! I'm hoping it will give me the perfect extra bit of glow that I'm looking for in the summer months, & maybe even give me the confidence to rock a more daring metallic look. Fingers crossed that it makes it in to my monthly favourites!

Retails for: £22.50

     Orla Kiely eau de parfum: A charming debut fragrance by the acclaimed designer, the eponymous fragrance's light floral notes, with natural extracts of rose geranium and bergamot, are subtly balanced with fresh fig and a hint of chocolate.

     All I can think about is how adorable that bottle is, it's so tiny in my hand that I can't help but carry it around with me everywhere. It's a lovely scent, but perhaps not something that I would have picked out for myself. Nevertheless, it is going to be a staple item in my handbag all summer.

Retails for: £55 for 100ml (deluxe sample is 5ml)

  


Ultra sun face 30: Ultrasun's special Liposome formula protects skin from UV induced ageing. Apply it once a day for water-resistant sun protection that moisturizes, too. Perfect for face, next, decollete and hands, formulated without emulsifiers, fragrance or oil to reduce prickly heat.

     This item is definitely the most important staple product for the summer months, and admittedly I'm a bit of a sun-tan lotion avoider myself. I did actually try this out today & it doesn't give you that horrible sticky feeling, but instead feels more like a moisturiser that you can easily forget about for the rest of the day. Another amazing product for your handbag!

Retails for: £19 for 50ml (the deluxe sample is 15ml)

     Weleda pomegranate regenerating body oil: Weleda pomegranate body oil contains only pure plant oils. Rich in essential fatty acids and anti-oxidising vitamins, slather on this oil for more elastic, hydrated, smooth and supple skin. Suitable for vegans.

     This is the third product in my Glossybox that is full size! I've got to admit that I am not the biggest fan of the smell, but I have read reviews online & this bad boy seems to give amazing results!

Retails for: £19.95 100ml bottle









     I am so happy with my first glossybox, and I am definitely going to carry on subscribing! When you work out how much the products are worth together, the saving is amazing & suddenly that £10 seems like the best money you ever spent! Not only do you save all that money, but you also get given a few discount codes for some of the brands in your box. This month I got a 20% off at Illamasqua discount code, a Ciate offer where you can get a speed coat free if you buy two of their nail enamels, and a Weleda discount code to get £5 off when you spend at least £15.

     If you got a Glossybox this month, I'd love to know what was in it! Oh & I'd love to hear what your favourite Illamasqua products are, 'cus I'm probably going to use that discount code on a few goodies xo

Packages: Mac & Sigma

     So I did a little bit of online shopping. Naughty, I know! Anyway, I thought I'd do a quick blog post for you guys showing you what I bought, 'cus a few people on twitter were asking.
     From Mac I ordered brush cleanser, full eyelash curlers, travel-sized fix+ & an empty 4 pan palette. I have filled it with Naked Lunch, Woodwinked, Patina & Satin taupe, all of which I already owned.

 
         From Sigma I ordered four brushes, & got the miniature blending brush for free! So far I absolutely love them, so expect to see them in a tutorial soon!

     Sorry this wasn't very interesting, I just thought I'd show you guys what I've been getting excited about lately! What are your recent purchases? xo

Mini haul

     So I went shopping with my mum today. Cool, I know. Well, she treated me to a few goodies that I'd wanted for a while & I am ridiculously excited to try them all out! I got Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, Dove summer glow moisturiser, and Revlon lip gloss in Peach Petal.

     My favourite purchase of the day would have to be my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation. I'd heard great things about it and a few weeks ago I picked up a sample when I was out shopping with my friend Jess. I fell in love straight away! It's pretty full coverage, which might seem a bit much for summer, but I was looking for a full coverage foundation for nights out.
     Obviously I have only just bought it, so I can't speak too highly just yet, but I am so excited about this new addition to my foundation routine. Look out for a review in a few weeks!

     The Dove Summer Glow has been on my 'want list' for ages, and it was so cheap so I had to pick it up! I'll do a review on it in a few weeks, once I've been able to see how well it works. The last thing I bought was this Revlon lip gloss in the colour Peach Petal. This was the only product of the three that I could really talk about, because obviously the others will need a bit of time to get the feel of.
     It's such a beautiful milky pink and will look amazing over my nude lipsticks. It's not sticky either, which is always a pain, so I'm pleased!  I've swatched it for you below, & that's how it looks on my lips with no lipstick underneath. Pretty, right? I love the sleek packaging, it reminds me of Chanel and looks far more expensive than it is. My first impression is that it's a beautiful colour, has a lovely consistency and seems like one of those products that I'll become obsessed with in no time! Hopefully you'll be seeing it in my July favourites!

     Do you have any of these products? I'd love to know what your thoughts are on them! Have you guys picked up any amazing products lately that I can add to my 'want list'? xo