Recent Beauty Buys

An annual sale at our local department store means I get to go and buy a few new bits and pieces for my make-up collection.  This time I bought an eyeshadow trio, a blending sponge, and a new mascara.  The eyeshadow I bought was by Isadora, a brand I don't own much make-up from but I passed up the chance to buy a palette from them last time there was a sale and regretted it.  I spotted a few different selection of eye shadow shades and picked the cool toned browns one because I knew I'd get the most use out of it.
The shades aren't quite as pigmented as I thought they would be but they do have a lovely shimmer to them.  I prefer to use the middle one as an all over shadow by itself for some natural looking day time definition.  The darkest shade is probably the prettiest and I've used it as an eyeliner so far but would consider wearing it on a night out all over the lid.  The lightest shade is a nice, cool toned, silvery highlight which I would wear on the inner corners of my eyes.  The formula of these shadows isn't my favourite but the shades are wearable so I will get some use out of it.
The blending sponge I bought to try out because of the hype.  I didn't want to fork out for the beauty blender and this one looked so similar but was so cheap I thought I'd test it out.  I haven't tried the beauty blender so I can't compare but I've used this a few times and I'm pretty pleased.  It works well when you dab it on the skin blending in concealer to your foundation.  I wouldn't drag it across the skin as it's quite a hard sponge.  I will be using this when I apply my stage make-up as I don't tend to wear full base make-up everyday.

The best thing I bought in the sale was the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara.  I had been using the Max Factor 2000 Calorie mascara and really liking it but it was going to dry out soon so I thought I would buy this to test out next.  Of course I couldn't wait until I had finished my old one to open it and give it a go and once I had tried I wouldn't use any of my others.  The Max Factor one was really good but I think it must have already been starting to dry out already because the Maybelline one blew it out of the water in comparison.  The formula is quite wet which I like because I can get a lot of product on to my lashes.   The brush is also really good because of the different length bristles on it.  It's a plastic bristled wand which I normally am not a fan of but I find I can achieve different results with this one depending on which part of the wand I use.  The longer bristles are good for lengthening and separating and the shorter ones are good for achieving a thick coat of black.  I tend to use a combination of both ends to achieve thick lashes with length towards to outside edges.  It's a really good mascara which might take a bit of practise because you get so much product on the brush it can clump some lashes together so I find brushing strokes one way and then the other helps to keep them separated.  Even without using eyelash curlers I can get a really good curl out of this mascara which is useful seeing as I lost my eyelash curlers this summer!  Over all I would really recommend this mascara.

Recent empties

Hi there!  It's been a few days hasn't it.  Winter time is the busiest time for the theatre so it's been go go go at work.  I've been pretty exhausted by it.  Yesterday our show of the Nutcracker was cancelled which meant I had nothing but ballet class in the morning but I spent most of the rest of the day asleep in bed or curled up on the sofa.  I've been so tired and I rarely nap so I must have needed the sleep!  I'm feeling much better today which is lucky as we have another show this evening.  I think it's because I had a good rest yesterday that I've finally found the energy to come and write on my blog!  I thought I would do a little post on the products I have finished most recently.  My husband will be glad I can finally throw away the empty pots!

Lumene Vitamin C Night Cream - I bought this a while back in the sale and I really really liked it.  I have dry skin, particularly during the harsh winter and this was really thick but still absorbed  very well in to the skin.  I like the idea of the vitamin C as well as any extra radiance is welcome in the winter.  When I bought this it was just before they reformulated the packaging.  It has a pleasant fruity scent.  I didn't buy another pot for ages even though I liked it because it was quite expensive (for me).  I found it this weekend in another sale so I grabbed another pot.  I've only used it once but the cream seemed lighter than before so maybe they reformulated to product too, although it still seemed really good.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Nivea Pure and Natural Night Cream - I bought this because it was a good price and because of the natural ingredients.  It seemed like a good moisturiser, though it doesn't do anything special.  It was quite thick and even a little too heavy for me in the summer.  It didn't make my sensitive skin sting which is good but other than that it just does what it says on the tin-moisturises.  However once I had purchased and tried the Lumene night cream this cream was relegated to the back of the shelf.  When I tried to use it again after a while it had basically turned into wax, which didn't surprise me because the cream really was quite waxy.

The Body Shop Blueberry Body Butter- Love this, great light fruity smell, sinks in to the skin really well and is cooling and soothing.  I use this to calm the eczema on my arms.  I just wish it was a bit cheaper, I buy this when it's on offer!

Body Shop Chocomania Beautifying Oil - Super yummy sweet scent.  More praline-y than chocolate-y scent but yummy all the same.  I really like this smooth oil.  The lemon one was my favourite but since they discontinued it this seemed a good alternative.  I would buy this again and use it in winter as it's too sweet for summer!

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Body Cream with Kukui Nut - Very strongly scented.  Sweet smell, reminiscent of caramel.  This was too strongly scented to use on sensitive areas of my skin but worked fine everywhere else such as on my legs for example.  The scent would really linger and the cream was very rich and moisturising.

8 Things To Do When The Days Get Shorter

I'm one of those people that really struggles when the days get shorter, and it feels like you're living in an eternal night (mare).  I know there's lots of us out there who struggle so I decided to write up a list of the things I do to keep my spirits up and try to appreciate the cosier time year.

1, Candles - OK so this is an obvious one but my ballet coach once said to me that lighting candles in the evening helps her mood because the light they give off is natural light as opposed to the artificial light of a light bulb.  I have no idea if there is any science behind this but I do like the idea, and candle light is much more soothing than the glow of a bulb.  Bonus points if they're scented too.  I know candles aren't convenient though if you've got babies or pets so maybe try number 2...

2.  A salt lamp - I was on holiday in a seaside town and spotted some well priced himalayan salt lamps in the shops there.  It was something I had read about as being good for eczema sufferers (something to do with it giving off salt in to the air when warmed by the light of the bulb inside).  Well I will try anything once if there's a change it could help with my eczema but asides from that it gives off a really nice warm glow.  The light is very similar to the glow of a candle or a fire so if candles aren't your thing but you like the idea of the warm glow they give off I would really recommend you try a salt lamp.  I would have one in every room if I could during the dark wintery evenings.

3. A warm bath - There's no windows in our bathroom but this seems to matter less when it's dark outside anyway.  I love to run a bath with some salts or oils in it, light a candle and read a book.  It becomes a nightly ritual in the winter time and it really does help to relax you in the evening.

4.  Embrace winter fashion - It sucks that the weather is so dreary outside but autumn/winter fashion is appealing for so many reasons.  Treat yourself by buying the softest, warmest jumper/cardigan you can find so that you wont feel the cold when you leave the house.  Not to mention the gorgeous boots/coats/hats that you finally get to wear.  Getting experimental with your style could give you something to look forward to when you wake up in the morning.

5. Autumnal make-up - You can get away with darker shades of lipstick, eyeshadow or blush (not all at once though!) when the days are darker.  Whatever you like to experiment with, now is the time to do it.  I like picking out a darker shade of lipstick to wear out on an autumnal weekend.  Darker shades work so much better with autumn fashion than with summer clothes.

6.  Hot drinks - Whatever your favourite hot drink is now you get to drink it all. day. long.  I love drinking different kinds of teas and mix it up through out the day drinking tea after tea.  I pop out to the supermarket and grab myself a nice selection I can look forward to working my way through during the colder months.

7.  Baking - I haven't got my baking on yet but if there's a good time to get the oven on warming the house and filling it with yummy smells then this is it.  Eating hot food is much more appealing and enjoyable when it's cold outside and there really is nothing better than filling the house with the scent of a roast dinner or apple crumble baking in the oven on a chilly day.

8.  Go for a walk - A big part of enjoying the cold weather is staying indoors and getting cosy, but to keep up your mood I would definitely recommend getting out for a bit every day.  Particularly when the sun is still up.  Getting fresh air always makes me feel better so on a day off work I will still make sure I go somewhere for a little walk.  What better way to get out and about than to wrap us warm and walk to a cosy coffee shop for that nice warm drink?

The Ultimate Autumn Dress

It already feels like we are heading in to Winter but a couple of weeks ago I spotted my dream Autumn dress!  I had already been seduced by a black faux leather dress in Mango which I had tried on but not bought because of the price tag.  About a week later I spotted another faux leather dress in a shop called Reserved.  This one was cheaper but just as cute as the Mango one.  Instead of boring black it was a lovely wine/burgundy colour that seemed perfect for Autumn.
I also loved the shape of it, a nipped in waist and flared skirt is my favourite shape so it was a no-brainer really, I had to buy it!  I really like the little detail of the extra panel around the bottom of the skirt.  I've been wearing it with a long sleeved cream or short sleeved white jumper underneath, black or white wool tights, and my knee high black boots.  It's a really cosy look and the dress keeps me very warm in the cold temperatures we are having at the moment.
My wardrobe is getting a little full, but with all the new autumn styles coming in to the shops it's hard to resist sometimes!

My new favourite perfume: La Vie Est Belle

Hello!  It's been a while since a new fragrance snuck it's way in to my home.  I'm super picky about perfumes, I either love a scent or can't stand it and it's very rare that I find a scent I love.  I always test out perfumes on my skin and wear it out for a few hours before I decide if I like it or not.  Last year I became obsessed with Prada Candy; sweet, warm, caramel and perfect for the winter time.  I thought I would never find another perfume I liked as much as that one, I had to make myself switch up perfumes for spring/ summer otherwise I would have used it up too quickly!

Well I was really surprised to find a scent I loved not only just as much, but even more.  I know this perfume has been out for a while so I'm late to the party but the Lancome La Vie Est Belle is now my new winter scent.  I happened to test it as our local department store had a sale on a selection of perfumes and this was one of them.  I was trying to pick one out of three I liked, La Vie Est Belle, Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Forever, and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium.  The reason I went with La Vie Est Belle was because of it's amazing lasting power and how good it smelt on my skin even after the top notes have worn off.  The Daisy Forever smelt lovely and a bit chocolatey which I liked but after the first 20 minutes or so I couldn't really smell the unique initial scent it starts as.  Black Opium also smelled amazing for the first 20 minutes or so and then after that it smelt the exact same as my YSL Cinema perfume does on me.  La Vie Est Belle however has an amazing sweet complex scent when you first spray it on but then dies down to a still less complex but deliciously sweet scent which lasts for hours on me.  The initial scent dies down to something like sweet pralines with hints of florals, truly good enough to eat.  Since I bought this I've had people ask what I'm wearing and comment on how good it smells.  I thought I would be alternating this with the Prada Candy but at the moment I just can't bring myself to switch it up because I'm so in love with the scent of La Vie Est Belle.  I can't believe I've found something I'd rather spritz on than my beloved Candy!
This scent is going to appeal to people who like sweet scents so if you're a more cool citrus-y type you'll probably want to give this a miss.  If you like smelling sweet all day long and you haven't tested this on yourself yet you might want to give it a try!

New Lipstick Purchases

Hello!

I have recently aquired not one but three new lipsticks!  One of these was given to me by my Mum and too were purchases, although I did buy them in the sale which always makes me feel better haha.  Both lipsticks were less than 5 euros so I think I got a pretty good deal there.  The two lipsticks I bought were the Manhattan All In One lipstick in Tender Tulip, shade number 420, and the Rimmel Kate Matte Lipstick in Wine, shade number 107.

I had been looking at the Manhattan lipsticks for a while, thinking that they seemed good quality for the price having swatched them on my hand.  I hadn't made a purchase however because I couldn't justify buying a new lipstick or pick a favourite shade so when I saw them on sale it seemed a good time to get one.  I went for Tender Tulip because it seemed like a nice everyday shade.  I wouldn't call it neutral, it's maybe a shade or two brighter than a natural lip colour but I wouldn't call it bold so I feel like I could wear it with any make-up look, dressed up or down.  It's like a neutral soft corally pink.  I think the formula is lovely, it's creamy which makes it really comfortable to wear on the lips.  The pigmentation is also high and I think this is a really great product for the price, even the non-sale price.

The lipstick that my Mum gave me was the Pure Colour lipstick by Estee Lauder in the shade Cream Tea.  This lipstick was a free gift with purchase and the shade is something I would never usually go for.    It's a nude that's quite brown with a hint of pink in it.  It's quite a dark nude for me but I thought I would give it a go and see if I can make the look work for me.  I find that duller or more brown toned nudes can make me look a bit drained so maybe it will work well with lots of blush!  The formula is nice and creamy though and the pigment is very good.

The Kate Matte Lipstick I had seen on a number of blogs and it really did look like the perfect autumn berry shade.  It was also on sale and I had been looking out for this with the view to maybe purchase so I snapped it up.  I only have one other really dark lipstick in my collection so felt that I could use another addition.  I haven't worn this as much as the Manhattan one as it isn't a colour I would wear every day but on the couple of occasions I have worn this I have been in love with the shade.  As I'm quite pale I feel like I have to up the anti on the rest of my make-up to get away with it so it's definitely something I would be more likely to wear on a night out than during the day.  I love having a more grown up glamorous shade of lipstick in my collection as I mostly own pinks. The formula is more matte than the Manhattan or Estee Lauder ones so not as comfortable to wear but still not terribly drying in that it would put me off wearing it.  Pigmentation is good, and the smell is a bit strange but I actually really like it!

I have a couple more new lipsticks to show you too in another post, my collection is getting a bit out of control!

Till next time :)

Preparing my skin for my wedding day

Hello!  Sorry, I know it's been ages since I blogged.  As usual the main reason is work has been so busy.  We are staging a new production which première's next weekend so that's been taking up all my physical and mental energy.  I also came down with a kind of flu which knocked me out for about a week.  So yeah, that's what's been happening in my life for the past couple of months!
I'm sure I promised at some point I would write about what I did to get my skin in good condition for my wedding day.  Obviously everyone's skin is different so these things might not work for you, but I thought you might be interested to read what I got up to.
I'm usually pretty lucky with my skin which I think is partly down to having an active job where I dance around all day.  My main problem is dryness which I tackle with moisturising regularly, apart from my forehead which tends to be oily, so I guess that means I have combination skin.  Being a ballet dancer also means I have to eat a pretty healthy diet and I do notice a difference when I'm eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and drinking lots of water.  I get spots from time to time though so I wanted to up my game before my wedding day to give my skin the best chance of being spot free.
Things I did lifestyle wise were try to snack on fruit instead of chocolate as much as possible.  I actually snack on chocolate fairly frequently so I made an effort 3 weeks or so before to by fresh fruit to snack on instead.  I also made sure I was drinking enough of course (water, that is!).
Other than that I headed in to Boots to seek out some skin care essentials that would help keep my skin clear.  I do find salicylic acid works well for me when I have a breakout so I looked for products that contained that but which were also not too expensive as I probably wouldn't use such harsh products on my skin all year round.
The three things I bought were: the Boots Skin Clear Deep Cleansing Lotion, Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Charcoal Facial Mask, and the Skin Clear One Touch Spot Stick.
Every morning and evening I would wash my face with my usual face wash, Garnier's Pure Active Blackhead Clearing Scrub and then I would usually follow that with a sweep of the Deep Clearing Cleansing Lotion on a cotton wool tab.  I would moisturise afterwards with my usual morning or evening moisturiser.  In the evenings I would follow up any potential blemishes with a dab of the Spot Stick gel.
Once or twice a week I would use the Tea Tree and Witch Hazel mask which was probably my favourite of the three items I bought and one I have been wanting to use regularly ever since.  It smells delicious and my skin felt soothed and less oily after using it.
It's hard to say whether it was down to using these products or pure luck but I was fortunate enough to have clear skin on the day!  Now I only use the Deep Clearing Cleansing lotion when my skin is getting particularly bad as it feels quite strong to use on my skin every day.  Of course I still use the spot stick to target any spots that might pop up.  I find it helps to stop me messing about with them and making them worse.  If you're wondering why I ended up buying everything from Boots own range it was purely for economical reasons, I think there may have also been a special offer on at the time!
Obviously as I had good skin on the day I was pleased with all the products even though I wouldn't use such a harsh regime on my skin normally,
Hope this was helpful to you!  I'm off for a bacon sandwich, so pleased I finally blogged :)