Matte Naked FOTD

Hello lovelies,

I did some matte make up today, a kind of 'no make up' make up look. I saw a video by Lisa Eldridge yesterday from which I took my inspiration. I didn't follow her tutorial entirely, as I was in a hurry for my hospital appointment.

Click on photos for larger images. List of make up used at the end, plus Lisa Eldridge's tutorial video.

I really like this look on me. I look pretty but not overdone. I can see myself doing this look often.

On my skin I used Olay Firm & Lift day cream mixed with Avon Ideal Flawless Invisible Coverage foundation to give me a dewy look.

For my eyes I used Virgin, Naked, Buck and Creep from the Naked Palette 1 which are the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 11th shades in the palette (L-R.)

I used Virgin under the brows, Naked on my upper eyelid, Buck in my crease, and Creep pushed into my upper lashline from underneath and on top of my lashes.

On my lips I used Lanolips 101 Ointment.

I used MUA shade 2 bronzer lightly on my cheeks, Body Shop brow powder in shade 02 and Benefit Sun Beam as a highlight used sparingly on top of my cheekbones.

Do you like 'naked' make up?

Thanks for reading!

Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean rave review

Hiya lovelies!

Here I am with another product I've been trying out from the Soap & Glory Bundle I bought just before Christmas, Peaches and Clean cleansing milk. Be warned, my make up free visage is further down the post.

Here's what Soap & Glory have to say about it:

Our special clogged T-zone formula Includes peach extract (with skin smoothing fruit acids), quillaja bark (a gentle natural ‘soap’), jojoba oil (an emollient skin softener), Detoxyboost™ technology (to help purify and deep clean) and Poreshrink R2™ (for a clearer, fresher, brighter complexion). In our opinion it’s the best cleansing milk on the market!

Instructions for Use

Massage a splodge of onto your cheeks in the evening (or morning, if you managed to fall asleep with your makeup on) rubbing double on any trouble spots - oily forehead, nose, chin - to maximize the purifying actives. Rinse off with water. (Repeat if you feel you need it.)

All photos can be clicked for larger images.

I've been using it for a week and I love it. I use two pumps which is enough to cleanse my face and take my make up off.

It smells absolutely gorgeous - a mix between peaches and fresh, zingy straight-out-of-the-garden herbs. That'll be the thyme and the linalool, the latter of which would explain the mintyness. It leaves my skin cleansed, removes make up and makes my face glow. My skin is dry - so dry that if I haven't moisturised in a day or two I get an itchy face and flakes come off (gross!) Normally, if I cleanse I have to moisturise straight away or else my face feels really tight, but not with this beauty. Of course my skin is better for moisturising afterwards, but if I was running late I could skip it and survive.

Excuse my scary no-make up face with all its blemishes (EEK!) but I hope it illustrates how fresh it makes my face look. There's a tiny bit of mascara residue under one eye, but there's always a bit of mascara left over when I take my make up off whatever I use.

One thing I will say is because of the AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids) in this product you will have to be more careful with sun protection, as there's a school of thought that says AHA's used incorrectly can make you more sensitive to the sun. If you're not using an SPF moisturiser, now might be the time to start! Your skin will thank you later. You can read more about AHA's here.

Have you tried this product?

You can find it in Boots.

Thanks for reading.

How much is that Blogger in the window?

Hello loves.

I want to talk about the two-headed beast that is blogging.

Blogging can be truly wonderful - you can discover people with common interests, make friends online which can transcend into real relationships, pick up awesome tips about a multitude of subjects, be inspired, be informed and share common lusts. I'd go as far as to say reading/writing blogs can add value to your life in some way. Being a blog writer can be a wonderfully fulfilling hobby, and for some, it even turns into a full-time job. As a reader, it's a chance to escape into someone else's world for a few minutes, and best of all, it's free to read! What's not to love?

But it can be very easy to get swamped by the weight of being a blogger. When you blog, you're in the spotlight. It's lonely there. You have to reveal yourself in the hope of connecting with someone out there. There's a nakedness about it. It's easy to feel insecure about your blog if you compare it to other blogs, it's easy to feel excluded from blogger cliques, it's easy to wonder what your place is in the blogging world, it's easy to feel you don't have enough money to be an exciting and varied blogger, and it's easy even to lose sight of the reason you started blogging in the first place. It's easy to doubt yourself and far harder to believe in yourself.

Because of my mental health issues it's possible I feel the down sides of being a blogger perhaps a bit more than average. At a certain point in my menstrual cycle I start to feel the need to withdraw from social networking and blog reading because I start to feel inferior and wonder why I blog at all. When this happens I remind myself comparisons are masochistic and futile. Comparing any aspect of life - blog life or otherwise - is daft because you can never know someone else's story. That blogger who spends hundreds of pounds on clothes and make up each week might be 20K in debt because of their shopping addiction. That blogger with the 'perfect' life might be dying inside and hoping no one notices their smile is plastered on like a rictus grin. We only see the parts of other people they want to show us, so comparing ourselves is a really bad idea.

Whenever I start to feel it's I should stop blogging I know it's time to withdraw from Twitter, step away from reading blogs for a couple of days and concentrate on what I do and why I do it. I remind myself why I started blogging - purely for the love of writing - and why I continue to blog - interaction with my readers and hoping to connect on some small level, even if it's only in shared slack-jawed and dribbling lust over a pretty outfit or some bargainous make up.

The thing with blogging is you have to choose how much of yourself to leave out and how much to leave in - in essence, how YOU you make your blog. For some sensitive souls like me, that's a constant work in progress. This year, rather than spending a couple of days a month in self-pity like an idiot when this blogger fog comes over me, I'm going to spend it on ideas of ways to improve my blog - new features, ways to improve my photography, thinking up outfit posts, and dare I say it - SELF CARE! If I'm feeling crap I need to step away from the pc, take a breath of fresh air, remind myself this is a HOBBY, have a cuppa, email a friend, dance around like a wally for 5 minutes or call my mum. In other words - perspective!

Lastly, blogging should be fun or else what's the point? If it's got to the point where blogging is a chore, stop. Give yourself a break - have a hiatus or even change your blog direction to something totally different.

If you blog, do you ever get a bit fed up?

If there's anything else you want to say about blogging or blog reading, have at it in the comments!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. There are no windows, nor bloggers in them, I just thought it was a fun title :)

Models Own Mirrorball

Hiya ducks!

I have some pretty polishes from Models Own.
Boogie Nights - Purple
Dancing Queen - Green
Disco Inferno - Gold
Hot Stuff - Pink
Freak Out - Blue

What's the prettiest nail polish you've ever seen?
Thanks for reading.

Demure FOTD

Hiya lovelies!

Here I am with my first FOTD of 2013 and hopefully it'll be one of many!

I decided to do a demure look today, because I never really do 'innocent' looks. I wanted to avoid a smokey eye. I usually favour dark but neutral eye looks, and since I learned to do a smokey eye I've done one pretty much every time I do my make up. I'd fallen into the habit of doing it without even realising it. I want to challenge myself with my make up this year so I want to try new things. I used a rose gold colour and a brown from an Avon quad eyeshadow on my eyes. I went light on the blusher, in fact you can't see it, oops.

My hair looks a bit funky because it was still wet. Photos can be clicked on to enlarge.

I used:

Body Shop brow powder in shade 02
Avon Supershock Max black mascara
Avon quad eyeshadow in Mystery (limited edition, I think.)
L'Oreal Visible Lift foundation in 15 light beige

Avon & L'Oreal products bought before I made the decision to go cruelty free.


Thanks for reading.

More resolutions - the fun stuff!

Hiya darls,

Often resolutions are about taking things away - eating less, spending less, yadda yadda yawn. I did a post a while ago with my aims for the year, which is here, but it's boring! I've been thinking since and wanted to add some fun stuff. These are the things I want to do more of this year.

1. Put a favourite song on and dance around the living room like a whirling dervish for five minutes a day. 

I've been doing it and it makes me feel fantastic. So throw some seriously hideous shapes, jump up and down (if your knees can take it), turn your arms into windmills, and even better - do it in front of a mirror. I guarantee no matter how down you feel, when you see yourself flinging your limbs about like a rag doll in a spin cycle, you will smile. You might even laugh. I know I did! You'll give your body and soul a boost, and if you've got the energy, dance on.

Dancing is joyful. You can't dance and be sad, you just can't.

2. Don't be daunted by anything. 

As soon as the little voice in your head starts to tell you you can't do something, tell it to shut up. My little voice is a negative little sod so I'm going to be telling it to shut up a LOT this year.

How do you know whether you can do something before you even try?

3. Remember little decisions have big consequences.

I don't mean fret about every tiny decision, micromanaging your life to the nth degree. I mean the opposite - take chances, say yes, realise when an opportunity is in front of you. Here's a prime example for you. 10 years ago, a friend of mine called Lawrence asked me if he could bring his friend James to my birthday drinks in London. He described James and I wasn't too keen, but I said yes anyway because to me, it's always a case of the more the merrier. I met James, and I still wasn't that keen at first, but it turns out he was all right after all. We ended the night with our tongues down each other's throats and got married last April.

You never know where your little choices will take you. Fly by the seat of your pants a little. Be open to fate, or whatever else you want to call it. Just be open.

4. Spend more time around nature and with animals.

Catching sunsets and sunrises, walks in the countryside and being with animals are all things which really soothe my soul. As plugged into the internet as I am, nothing makes me as happy as mooing back at cows.

5. Read more real news and less of who's shagging who.

As salacious as the gossip pages of magazines are, there's only so much time I have to cram things of worth into my brain. When reading about Kim Car-crash-ian and Kanye 'Imma let you finish' West's forthcoming offspring, I yawned so hard I nearly lost the back of my head over the sofa. I seriously couldn't give less of a shit about Kimye's baby if I'd been constipated from birth. I want to learn about the Egyptians, find out why Elvis liked fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches and find out what makes serial killers tick, not find out which footballer some wannabe starlet is boffing.

6. I want to liven up my make up. 

I'm not sure what's caused it, but I've really toned down my make up in the last few years. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a few years older and not so fond of my face, or if becoming ill has stolen all my pizazz, or else I'm afraid the postie's going to catch me with only one eye done (ha!) but I have gone from Miss turquoise/purple/green (all at once) on my eyes to brown, brown and brown. I have sooooooo much make up, and I'm going to aim to do my make up every single day. I have enough of it. My to swatch/review pile weighs more than two toddlers. Seriously. Start bloody using it, wumman!

7. Do something that makes me feel amazing/special/pretty a day. 

This could be anything! For instance styling my hair differently, putting a pretty bow in my hair, doing my make up in a daring way, doing some nail art, having a pamper, carrying out a random act of kindness, hugging someone new, complimenting someone, doing a good deed, sending someone a present just because, helping an old lady reach something in the supermarket, smiling at a stranger in the street, petting a waggy-tailed dog, sending someone a note letting them know how much I appreciate them, saying I love you more and loving without caution and fear.

Our days have a tendency to race by, with little to distinguish one from another. I strongly feel this year I need to make each and every day count, and for me there's no better way to feel good than to do something for others as often as possible (with a little bit of being good to myself, too.) That's the kind of thing that gives me an inner glow. 2013 will be the year where I open up myself more than ever before to possibilities, to new people and new things. This will be a year where I tell caution to go eff itself and listen more to my heart, which wants to love with abandon. Only my head tells me to be wary of people and getting hurt. My heart is as big as the moon, my arms are soft and squishy for the best hugs and this year I want to spread a little love. Will you be joining me in a 2013 love-fest?

I think that's all for now.

What one thing do you want to do more of (or do differently) this year?

Thanks for reading.

Champneys Spa Oriental Opulence Products

Hiya lovelies!

One of my favourite Christmas presents so far was a Champney's set from my aunt.

It contains:

• Champneys Spa Indulgence Oriental Opulence Body Glow (50g)
• Champneys Spa Indulgence Oriental Opulence Body Cream (50ml)
• Champneys Spa Indulgence Oriental Opulence Shower Cream (50ml)
• Champneys Spa Indulgence Oriental Opulence Bubble Heaven (50ml)

I haven't tried a lot of the toiletries I was given yet, but I did try one thing from this set and I'm glad I did.

Oh.
My.
Days.

It smells SO good.

Boots says this about it: This opulent body cream, from Champneys Oriental Opulence range, blends milk protein, sweet almond oil, honey, ylang ylang, Vitamin E, sandalwood and patchouli for irresistibly silky soft radiant skin.

It's so good when I've got it on it makes me amorous for myself! ;) The body cream is so moisturising, it makes me as soft as a baby's bum. I'd say it's almost as creamy as Body Shop body butters. I'll be buying a large pot of this, which is £10 from Boots for 175ml. It's ludicrously expensive for such a small pot, but I'd save it for special occasions when I want to be ravaged! If I was smelling this on someone else, it'd be like catnip.

I've yet to try the scrub (which is called a body glow), the bubble bath or shower cream but they all smell divine. Next time you're in Boots, see if there's a tester you can sniff, but you may have to prised away from it by security!

Have you ever tried anything by Champneys Spa?

Thanks for reading!

My Christmas presents

Hi lovelies,

I debated whether to do this post. I read someone's blog post yesterday (sorry, I can't remember whose post it was) where they likened Christmas present posts to car crashes - you know you shouldn't look but you do anyway. There are no extravagant items in the presents I received, but as this blog is my visual reminder of events/diary as well as a platform to share with you, I decided to post the blog anyway.

When you're a kid you think Christmas is all about the presents and being fussed over. It's not until you get older and start buying presents for others that you realise it should be a lot less one sided! I've always enjoyed giving presents, but I think this was the first year for me that my pleasure in giving totally overrode the pleasure of receiving. I've always enjoyed spoiling my mum and step dad as they don't have a lot of money, but this year I gave to everyone in the true spirit of giving with no thought of receiving at all. I've had a truly fantastic year and just wanted to spread a bit of happiness about.

Normally on Christmas Day I'd pull my presents out every couple of hours throughout the day to look at them - rather like a child would. This year I opened my gifts, said thank you, then didn't look at them again until we came home several days later, not out of ungratefulness, but because I was enjoying being with everyone so much. So often we have to be doing something when we're with our loved ones. Why not just be? I didn't need to focus on presents at all as I was happy just being there with my family. Obviously it's nice to receive gifts, I'd be lying if I said differently. But this year I gave to people who I knew wouldn't be buying for me and didn't care a jot, it made me happy to make them happy. I think I might have finally grown up! :)

My mum and step dad got me a slow cooker, which I'd asked for.

My mum knitted the Santa in the background.

This set smells DIVINE! Separate post coming up.

There's a family tradition of buying each other loads of toiletries.

This skull is one of my favourite presents.

My favourite perfume.

Moarrrr toiletries.

The highlighter coloured nail polishes came to me via Canada!

Cute gingerbread biscuits and choccies from Ireland.

Lovely hand knitted goodies.

Close up of cute bat.

Such a thoughtful gift!

A cute handbag pen, some socks and a sparkly scarf.

I bloody love the gingerbread man! I'm keeping him, he's way too cute to throw out. I've been really good - I haven't eaten either yet!

I was also given some money for Christmas which I spent on some sale clothes from Yours Clothing and ASOS Curve. I spent the rest on Famous Cosmetics, who I really rate. Their shimmer bricks (multi purpose products you can use as a highlighter/blusher/eye shadow) are supposed to be dupes for Bobbi Brown shimmer bricks and cost a fraction of the price. I have one already and it's excellent.

I also have a Superdrug voucher to spend next time I go to town, which I'll be spending on essentials like face wipes, moisturiser, etc. I'll definitely be picking up some XXL volumising dry shampoo by Batiste when I go to Superdrug as well. I used some at my aunt's house over Christmas and it really works. I was pleasantly surprised how much oomph it gives even my fine hair. I'll be sure to show you all my bits and bobs when they arrive/when I've been to Superdrug.

What was the favourite Christmas gift you gave or received?

It's cheesy, but the fave gifts I gave were the 3 small donations I made to animal charities. It wasn't a lot, but just knowing a few more animals had food in their bellies over Christmas made me feel good.

Thanks for reading.

EDIT - I left out presents from my friend Rach, which were a gorgeous bird make up bag from Boots, a gorgeous whitewashed heart-shaped photo frame and a lovely beret.