Beauty Stocking Fillers with Burt's Bees, Balmi and I Love...

Secret Santa and Stocking Fillers can often be the hardest presents to buy, budget doesn't have to mean basic. These minis would make any beauty lover happy.

First up is Burt's Bees, I've already claimed their lip balm as a Holy Grail, which both of these sets have.

A Bit of Burt's Bees Mango Set - contains Nourishing Lip Balm with Mango Butter and Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.*

This fruity version of their famous lip balm smells good enough to eat. The Cuticle Cream is great to use after a manicure to nourish the nail beds and prevent dryness. This set also comes in Beeswax, Pomegranate and Pink Grapefruit and costs under £6.

Hive Favourites Set contains Beeswax Lip Balm with Vitamin E and Peppermint and Naturally Nourishing Milk and Honey Body Lotion*

I can see why the body lotion is a 'hive favourite', it sinks into the skin beautifully and leaves you feeling well moisturised.

I Love ... Raspberry and Blackberry Tiny Box of Love  contains Bubble Bath and Shower Crème and Moisturising Body Lotion*

This sweet smelling trio is ideal for Secret Santa gifts, as it's under £5! They also have a range of scents which include Coconut and Cream, Lemons and Limes, Mango and Papaya and Vanilla and Ice Cream.

Balmi Moisturising Lip Balm Bauble in Raspberry*

I've seen a number of brands releasing beauty baubles as stocking fillers but this has to be one of the most affordable. The lip balm is in a sturdy cube which makes it ideal for throwing in your handbag and the balm is shaped to a pointed dome making it easy to apply.

All of these options are under £10, they are incredibly affordable, you could even treat yourself to one ;)

See my other Christmas Gift Ideas here.

BLACK FRIDAY Discounts and Deals for the UK - Beauty and Fashion

Black Friday is something us shoppers in the UK have adopted from our American counter parts. I'm #feelingspendy (as Amelia Liana would say) and I'm sure you are too, I mean who can't resist a bargain!

Discounts and Offers

Beauty

Body Shop - Black Friday Bundle £30 worth £76.50 with the code BUNDLE - Friday 28th Nov till Tuesday 2nd Dec. ALSO save £25 when you spend £50, save £10 when you spend £25 and save £5 when you spend £15 with the code TREAT


E.L.F - Free Festive Mystery Gift Bag with orders over £20 - Monday 24th Nov to Saturday 29th Nov


Hothair - 20% off everything – Hairpieces, Wigs & Hair Extensions -  Online and in store from Friday 28th Nov till Monday 1st Dec



Hair Philosophers - 3 in 1 brush at 25% of on Black Friday, RRP is £69.99, currently selling at £59.99 and for the Friday it's down to £44.99. For that price you are getting 3 boar bristle brushes.
Fashion


River Island - 20% off  with the code TREAT28 between 11am - 3pm on Friday 28th Nov


ASOS - 20% off with the code CYBERWKND20 - Friday 28th Nov


All Saints - 20% off with the code CYBER - Friday 28th Nov


Missguided - 20% off with the code CYBER20 - Thursday 27th Nov till Tuesday 2nd Dec


Whistles - 30% off everything, no code - Starts Friday


Love Hearts and Crosses - 15% off all jewellery orders, this includes sale items and Disney Couture jewellery. Use the code BLACK15 at the checkout. Thursday 27th Nov till Tuesday 2nd Dec


Find even more Black Friday discounts on myvouchercodes.co.uk*

My Foundation Collection - Pale Oily Skin Foundation Reviews and Recommendations featuring MAC, Estee Lauder, Bourjois, L'Oreal, Revlon

Foundation can be an endless struggle as your skin tone and texture and skin type change throughout the year. I often find it hard to match a foundation to my ghostly white skin, so I've trialled and tested a few to help a sister out. Hopefully this may help the oily skinned pale girls out there find the right foundation for them.

Please note, this is what I use and how my skin behaves just to give you an idea:

Skin Type: SUPER oily

Problems: Prone to spots and oily skin

Primers: Max Factor Face Infinity Primer, Bourjois Happy Light Matte Primer, Smashbox Primer

I've left the image as unedited as I could to give you an idea of shades. 

Revlon Colour Stay Foundation for Combination / Oily Skin in 110 Ivory

Texture and Formula

This heavyweight foundation is like marmite in the beauty community. Its thick texture has often been compared to a mask by those who do not favour this product. For me, I do agree with the comments of a heavy coverage but I don’t feel like I’m wearing a mask.

I really do not recommend applying this with a brush, the texture is slightly sticky until it sets so it just smears; I advise a sponge. I use the Real Techniques sponge currently and I find this is the best application.

The drying time of this foundation is a downside, it takes a minute or two to properly set.

Colour / Undertone

I would say it’s the thickest formula from the bunch but also the palest. This Ivory shade is on the pink side so be careful if you already have a pink undertone in your skin.

Longevity

It’s intended for the oiliest of skins, and honestly I feel like this does a good job of keeping my oil at bay. On my more challenging days where I may have been hot and bothered or running about, I do find that Colour Stay does start to a tiny bit patchy, it’s fixable with a little powder and hardly noticeable.

Overall

I thoroughly recommend this to those who really suffer with oily skin, I mean SUPER oily skin, then the thick formula isn’t such an issue as it’s mattifying properties far outweigh the heavy feeling. For just ‘normal’ oily skins, I think you should avoid this and go for MAC Studio Fix.

MAC Studio Fix Foundation in NW10

Texture and Formula

MAC Studio Fix Foundation has been a long term friend, it’s been with me for a number of years. It’s seen months of love then months of neglect, all depending on how my skin is behaving.  I would say this is a mid-weight in the oily skin foundation ranks, it sits between the buildable coverage of L’Oreal True Match and the heavier textures of Estee Lauder Double Wear and Revlon Colour Stay. I find this easy enough to apply and blend.

Colour / Undertone

It’s almost as pale as Revlon Colour Stay but just a tiny, tiny touch darker, and on this skin this is not noticeable. Thank the Lord that MAC brought out NW10 as NC/NW15 was just too orangey and dark on my ghost like skin. NW if you didn’t know is nude warm and NC is nude cool.

Longevity

On average Studio Fix lasts around 4 hours on me, staying relatively matte. After that my super oily skin starts to seep oil and imbalance the foundation and create a funny patchy look. For those days that I don’t want to slap on Revlon Colour Stay, I just blot on top of this, it gets me through work and looks passable. As I said people with ‘normal’ oily skin will love this foundation and find it would last so much longer than it does on my skin.

Overall

I will always have Studio Fix in my arsenal, it’s something that’s easy to apply and is good enough for a day at work. It doesn’t have the best longevity but the colour for me is pretty spot on!

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in 1C0 Shell and 1N1 Ivory Nude

Texture and Formula

A few weeks ago I claimed this foundation to be my Holy Grail and I stick by this claim. It’s not an everyday foundation for me as it has the same feel as Revlon Colour Stay so I’d rather save this expensive version for best.

It’s easier to work with then Colour Stay but again I suggest you use a sponge so give the best coverage. It definitely creates a flawless matte finish, that’s why it’s my Holy Grail.

I think it’s a little less sticky than Revlon Colour Stay, but like its rival, I do think it takes a while to set, I wait a minute or two before I apply powder.

Colour / Undertone

I have two of the palest shades, 1C0 Shell has a pink undertone and 1N1 Ivory Nude has a more orange hue on my skin. I can get away with both as long as I blend well!

Longevity

Double Wear wins on longevity hands down, it trumps both Colour Stay and Studio Fix. I can go up to 6 hours without shine and it lasts a whole night of partying! No patchy fading throughout the day and lasts well on the skin.

Overall

I could gush about this foundation all day, if I was made of money this would be my everyday go to. If you have the cash to splash this long wearing flawless coverage foundation is worth a buy. If you are strapped for cash then consider Revlon Colour Stay as an affordable option.

L’Oreal True Match in N1 Ivory

Texture and Formula

I’ve heard many Youtubers and Bloggers sign praises of the L’Oreal True Match foundation, but I doubted the claims as most of them have perfect skin anyway! I went to a Boots points event and got suckered into a 3 for 2 offer on L’Oreal.

I find this foundation to be the most fluid of the bunch, it has a watery consistency but don’t let that put you off. With my troublesome skin I would normally avoid formulas like this, but I’m glad I gave it a go. I would say this is a lighter texture than Studio Fix and on the same par with Bourjois Healthy Mix. Again I use my sponge to apply this foundation, one layer isn’t enough coverage for my liking so I pat on another and leave to set. I do still have to go in with heavy duty concealer for scarring and dark circles but overall it covers the worst of it.

Colour

This foundation is one of the only products I’ve seen in the drugstore that carries a warm, neutral and cool shade of each skin tone. This is the palest shade in the range but it is still a touch darker than Revlon Colour Stay.

Longevity

This is on the lower end of the longevity scales of my foundations. Studio Fix sticks around longer, True Match lasts about 3 hours before shine appears. I use this foundation if I’m just popping to town for a bit to do some shopping, it’s quick and easy and does the job for those few hours.

Overall

This would be more suited to those who have oily combination skin, it would probably last a lot longer on your than my skin. I think the shade range is great for drugstore but I’d pick Studio Fix over this.

Bourjois Healthy Mix in 51 Light Vanilla

Texture and Formula

I’ve never really LOVED this foundation, it only really works on me when I have drier skin than normal. I think the key with this foundation is layers and powder. It does have a ‘lit from within’ finish but this can soon turn to oil on my face.

It’s a pleasant texture, which is light and easy to work with. I normally use my Real Techniques Buffing brush but you could also use a sponge if you wanted a super light coverage.

Colour

This is the darkest foundation in my collection, and is the palest shade in their shade range. I feel Bourjois haven’t caught up to the times, a uniform beige colour as the palest shade is unacceptable. I don’t recommend this shade for really pale girls like myself.

Longevity

This has next to no longevity for me, it last around 2-3 hours maximum without shine but when 5 o’clock comes round I look like I’ve been dipped in chip fat. It also oxidises as the day goes on, leaving you with a tangoed face.

Overall

I really do not recommend this for oily skinned girls, although it would be okay for those with drier skins.

I know this was a lengthily piece from me but I really wanted to help out the pale and oily skinned girls out there.

Have you tried any of these foundations? Which is your favourite?

MAC x Giambattista Valli 2015 Preview

Italian designer Giambattista Valli, is to launch a limited edition lipstick line with MAC cosmetics in 2015, which is inspired by his Haute Couture gowns. As you can see in the collage I created, he's taken inspiration from his previous shows for the MAC colour palette.

He told Vogue:
"The best thing about make-up is that a lipstick can really change your look. If you never wear colour on your lips and then one day you wear red, everyone just goes wow! I made these for a woman with personality, a woman who lives her life and isn’t afraid to wear colour and isn’t afraid to kiss."

I haven't been excited about a MAC collection in a long time, I felt their Christmas collection was just like every other seasonal collection they have released in the last few years but this collection of lipsticks is stunning. What I really love about these are the coloured bullets, these will be a collectors item for sure.

We have a little to wait as this collection won't be released until Spring 2015 but I'll be keeping my eye out!

Images from Vogue

Milk_shake Hair Care Christmas Gift Sets

Have a female in the family that spends hours in the salon and cannot be separated from their straighteners? Milk_shake, a new environmentally conscious professional hair care products brand, has the perfect gift sets for them.

The unique selling point of Milk_shake products, except for its modern and eye-catching packaging, is there recipe which combines the benefits of milk and fruit for wellbeing and beauty benefits. Any hair care lover would be grateful of their benefits and it's a failsafe option as the products suit all hair types.

The luxury Christmas gift box (£29.95) includes a Daily Shampoo, which contains apple juice, this hydrates and protects the hair, and a Conditioning Whipped Cream, along with a Milk Body Cream and Argan Oil.

The Integrity Christmas Trio Pack (£29.99) contains a shampoo and conditioner from the Integrity line, which contains organic Muru Muru butter, it cleanses and hydrates and best of all they are both sulphate free!

The set also contains their popular Incredible Milk, which has 12 actions: UV protection, repairs all hair types, protects and maintains colour, protect from heat, detangles, maintains hold on your hairstyle, gives shine, adds body and volume, controls frizz, prevents split ends, helps straightening and helps smooth the cuticle. It really is a miracle milk!

The Duo Pack for Christmas contains the best selling Colour Maintainer Shampoo and Conditioning Whipped Cream. The products contain milk proteins that work to replenish the hairs strength and soothe the hair into a more manageable state.

I was kindly gifted a few products from Milk_shake: Argan Oil, Daily Frequent Shampoo and Whipped Cream Leave-In Foam.

Milk_shake Glistening Argan Oil* - £5.69 for the travel size and £19.59 for the 50ml

Argan Oil is one of the most coveted products on the hair care market at the moment. This one smells lovely, it makes your hair soft and manageable.

Milk_shake Daily Frequent Shampoo* - £12.79 for 100ml

For those who wash their hair everyday this would be perfect, it claims to cleanse the hair while keeping the moisture balance.

Milk_shake Whipped Cream Leave-In Foam* - £6.39 for travel size or £15.29 for 200ml

The Whipped Cream intrigued me the most, I've never seen a product like this before. This would make a lovely leave-in treatment once a week just to boost the condition of your hair.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of Milk_shake hair products, they have wide range of brilliant hair care, including a Sensorial Mint for a refreshing wash, a volume and colour range and also a range of styling products. You can check them out at http://www.milkshakehaircare.co.uk

L'Oreal Superliner Gel Eye Liner Review

Following my first proper FOTD, I thought I’d review the gel liner I used for the look. I've never used a gel liner before, so the fact that this one came in a nice gold pot with a brush completely swayed me to purchase. If I'm honest, I was a bad blogger and didn't research the L’Oreal’s Superliner gel before I bought it.

 

Consistency

The gel liner is a good consistency, it’s thick but creamy and is easy to work with, I don’t I have to drag the brush across my eye lid. Being a creamy consistency I did worry that I might get transfer. I've only noticed a slight transfer in the inner corners of my eye, where the eye goop gets (wonderful description there haha). As far as eye lid transfer goes, I haven’t experienced any.

Pigmentation

Pigmentation is the down side of this product, it’s a grey black. Compared to my 17 Wet Look liner, this colour just doesn't compare. If you are looking for something with depth, I wouldn't suggest this gel liner.

Brush

I do own a few brushes which would be great to use with this product, but I thought I’d give the one that comes with the liner a try. It doesn't have the finest point but if you angle it to the side you can work with it quite well. I’d say it’s an average brush, you do have to be cautious but it’s not awful.

Overall

For my first gel liner, I don’t think that it’s a bad product. I’d give it a 3/5, the pigmentation and slight transfer in the inner corners of the eye let the product down. I would recommend using your own brush, although if you don’t have a gel liner brush theirs isn't the worst.

Have you tried the L’Oreal Superliner gel liner?

Christmas Wishlist & Childhood Memories

I’ve suddenly got into the Christmas spirit, I’ve been humming Christmas songs and making draft wishlists, anyone remember circling the Argos catalogue?! Well making a collage of products is the blogger equivalent of the Argos catalogue, a very unsubtle hint at what to get us!

My friend and I were discussing Christmas traditions over lunch, we remember wearing silly paper hats, mad rushes to find last minute presents and leaving mince pies out for Santa’s reindeers.  As a child I made my own tradition, I used to go on hunts for Christmas presents every year. I was a naughty little child who couldn’t wait till Christmas day.

I remember one year where I went searching in my parents room, opening cupboards, riffling through drawer until I finally found what I had been looking for, mine and my sisters presents. I stood there in awe, on my list that year was a Walkman and on my sisters was a Bear in the Big Blue House toy, and there they were stuffed at the back of a cupboard.

I was never good at keeping secrets as a child so I blurted out to my mum in guilt that I had found them. Ever since then she’d hidden things in my aunty’s house.

Well here’s what’s on my Christmas wishlist this year, I promise I won’t go on a hunt this year!

GHD Limited Edition Rose Gold Straighteners - £130

Chloe Eau de Parfum - £61 for 50ml

Tweezerman Tweezers - £33

Tangle Teaser - £10.99

Elemis Pure Rose Indulgence Gift Set - £29*

What's on your list?

FOTD featuring L'Oreal Superliner Gel Liner and Caresse Lipstick in Impulsive Fuchsia and MAC Satin Taupe

Becoming a blog with a face is a scary thought. Of course we all upload profile pictures, mine being a highly edited, soft focus version of myself, but publishing an only slightly edited photo of myself is a strange feeling. For the most part my blog posts include photographs of the product I’m reviewing and a brief summary and some thoughts wrapped up into 250-500 words.

I’ve never been one who posts FOTD’s and OOTD’s, in honesty I’m not that confident and we all know the camera adds ten pounds. In an attempt to submerge myself deeper into the blogging world, I thought I’d work on my first FOTD so be gentle!

 

Products Used:

MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NW10

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light

Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot Powder

MAC Satin Taupe Eyeshadow

Urban Decay Half Baked Eyeshadow

L'Oreal Superliner Gel Liner

Bourjois One Seconde Mascara

Soap and Glory Archery Eyebrow Pencil in Blondeshell

 

This look was an ‘I’ve got a lot of time to play around with make-up’ kinda look. Rushing in the morning for work, I don’t normally get much time to play around with make-up. I’d bought some new items so I thought I’d slap it all on for some first impressions for the blog.

Starting with base, I used an oldie but goodie, MAC’s Studio Fix foundation in the shade NW10, (yes I’m ghostly white). My under eye concealer needed to be heavy duty that day so I picked up my Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Light and to set this all I used my Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder.

Another Soap and Glory product was used in this look, my eyebrows were filled in with their Archery brow pencil. The repackaged version is amazing, it has a finer point than it’s original.

 

Next, for my shadow, I reached for Satin Taupe by MAC, a blogger favourite. I tried to create a ‘spotlight’ eyeshadow effect that’s been spotted on the runways. I patted Satin Taupe all over the lid and added Half Baked by Urban Decay in the middle. I don’t think the shades I picked were contrasting enough to really show up though.

 

 

 

For my signature winged eyeliner, I tried a new product, L’Oreal’s Superliner Gel. After a number of disappointments from liquid liners I thought I’d give this one a go, there will be a full review up soon.

Another new product was used for mascara, I’d heard such great things about Bourjois’ Volume 1 Seconde mascara. From first impressions, it’s a good’un!

Finally to add a pop of colour I used L’Oreal Caresse lipstick in Impulsive Fuchsia, I feel these lipsticks have just fallen off the radar, but they have a lovely finish.

For me this is a more ‘tarted up’ look, but I really do like the contrast between the Satin Taupe eyeshadow and the L’Oreal vibrant pink lipstick. So that’s my first FOTD published, how exciting! Have you tried any of the products I've mentioned?