Budget Beauty Buys...

Hi Ladies,

I apologize for my lack of posts recently, it's been a really busy few days. I hope to get back up to speed now.

So, I've been asking around my friends and family and have noted some of their top beauty products for times that you're on a budget.

Palmers Cocoa Butter:

I don't know ANYONE that doesn't love this product. It smells DELICIOUS, lasts such a long time, retails really cheaply and most importantly, really moisturises and treats the skin. If you don't like the smell, a fragrance free option as available, which my friend, Fergie, swears by.

Nivea Milk & Honey Lip Balm:

I have to confess, I have a LOT of lip balms. When I say a lot, I mean 20 +. I didn't need another lip balm but when I saw this in Tesco, I loved the name and just had to have it. Out of all of the balms that I have, this is definitely the one that I reach for the most. It has a slight smell of honey, glides on to the lips really smoothly and lasts for a long time, whilst really conditioning the lips.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes:

Now I am usually really good at removing make up when home from work/a night out but sometimes, I'll be honest, I really cannot be bothered! At times like these, I rely on these wipes to remove all traces of make up and leave my skin balanced.

Aussie Luscious Long Leave In Conditioner:

I know this sounds dramatic but I couldn't dry my hair without this. When hair is damp, I will work through Moroccan Oil, followed by 5 - 10 sprays of this through each side of my hair then I brush through with my Tangle Teezer. This makes my hair really manageable (it's long, thick and curly) and really nourishes and protects the hair at the same time.

Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil:

This is the only product that I will use on my eyebrows when lightly pencilling in. Very affordable (retails at less than £3.00) and comes with a brush to tidy up eyebrows, giving a very light natural colour, whilst framing the face.

I'll be back with more posts soon. I hope that you enjoyed!

Thank you for reading.

Love, Amy

x

A Selfish Splurge

Hi Ladies,

So a few weeks ago, I went out for dinner with my beautiful friend, Gemma. As soon as we met, I noticed the fragrance she had on immediately - she smelt GORGEOUS!!

Gemma mentioned that she was wearing the Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Body Souffle. Seriously, she smelt INCREDIBLE.

After restraining for a few weeks, I popped along to House Of Fraser and picked up the Souffle and the fragrance too. As they retail at £43.50 for the Souffle and the £41.50 for the perfume, I wanted to give you some advice; there is no need to buy both. Both products are extremely long lasting and if you were to wear both, it may become a little overpowering.

They also look really pretty on your dressing table...

I'd like to try the Fig and Pistachio ranges too. I might have to pop that on my Christmas list!

Thank you for reading.

Love, Amy

x

My Top Three...

Hi Ladies,

So today I was thinking about nail varnish. I have so many bottles of polish but do tend to stick to the same three really. (I do change this in summer when I can get away with wearing brighter colours though.)

So, the top three:

Essie Mint Candy Apple:

I remember the first time I saw this. I fell in love instantly. Admittedly, the application isn't great and it takes three coats to give even coverage. This looks great on short, natural nails and instantly receives so many compliments!

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark:

I don't think I'll even have to hype this varnish up to you. It's my favourite of all time! Looks amazing on fingers and toes, especially in Autumn/Winter. I'm thinking of purchasing the gold and silver Gosh Nail Glitters to try with this. Has anyone used the glitters? What are your thoughts?

Bourjois Rose Lounge:

Apparently, this is the varnish that Kate Middleton wore on her Wedding Day to Prince William. I'll admit, I saw her nails and instantly HAD to find out what she was wearing. I bought this from Boots for around £6.00 and the application is fantastic. I usually wear between 1 - 2 coats of this depending on the look that I am going for. It looks really professional and polished, a fantastic varnish to wear during the working week if you work in an office.

I'm looking at updating regularly over the next few days. If there any reviews/posts that you would like to see, just let me know!

What are your go to nail varnishes?

Thank you for reading.

Love, Amy

x

Shopping The Stash

Hi Girls,

I have a revelation. I've decided that I have too much make up, that I don't wear anyway.

I get so excited about new products and have such good intentions when buying the product but for whatever reason, however much I wanted the eyeshadow/bronzer/gloss, it ends up barely used and disregarded in my make up storage.

With this in mind, I've decided that I am going to make use of the should-love-but-don't products that I have. I'll start with a handful because I'll be here all night and probably bore you all to tears in the process. I'm going to make use all of them next week, starting tomorrow, so any tips, recommendations regarding these products would be appreciated.

Here goes:

Nars Habanera Eyeshadow:

I wanted to love this, I really did. It looked so amazing on Zara at Mouldy Fruit when she raved about it that I just simply HAD to have it. I ended up driving two hours to get this and then kind of forgotton about it. How to you apply your Habanera Duo?

Mac Lipgelee In Sin-Tillation:

My Cousin, Laura, kindly bought this as a gift for me. I fell in love on first sight. The light pink shade is gorgeous in the tube, great packaging, lovely smell but on me it looked like I had licked my lips then dipped them in a glitter pot!!

I found out that dabbing on the lips lightly with your finger tones this down and makes much more wearable. I loved how it looked but rarely reached for it, so this will be my lipgloss of choice for the next week!

Bella Pierre Eyeshadow in SP078 Stage:

When buying the Bella Pierre Primer the lady working on their counter kindly gave me this to try. Apparently it can be applied as it is, when wet to intensify the colour or added to clear nail varnish to make a nail polish.

I haven't even thought about trying it yet. Does anyone have this? What are your thoughts?

Thank you for reading.

Love, Amy

x

My Perfume Collection

Hi Ladies,

I'm back with a post about my current Perfume Collection.

Excuse the horrendous photo, I am using my IPhone at the moment to take my pictures.

Anyway.....

Breakdown Of Perfumes:

• Philosophy - Amazing Grace (with lotion)
• DKNY - Apple
• Marc Jacobs - Daisy
• Dolce & Gabbana - The One
• Kim Kardashian - Kim Kardashian
• Diesel - Loverdose
• Chloe - Chloe
• Victor & Rolf - Flowerbomb (two sizes)
• Laura Mercier - Almond Coconut (with lotion)
• Guess - Seductive
• Sarah Jessica Parker - Lovely
• Mary-Kate & Ashley - LA Style

Most worn this week? Chloe. :-)

Thank you for looking.

Love, Amy

x

Must Have Products To Save Your Hair!

Hi Ladies,

I'm going for it today, post number FOUR!

My hair is something I have always struggled with. When I was younger I had a bit of an accident with Sun In Spray, which very attractively turned my hair WHITE and made it fall out. It is naturally very thick and curly and the process of drying and straightening takes a good TWO HOURS!

I'm naturally a honey blonde/light brown and have desperately tried to get my hair in to good condition over the last few years, along with trying to grow it.

I've tried so many products/supplements over the years and finally the condition is much better and the length is longer now so I wanted to share with you what has worked for me (and what hasn't.)

Must Have Products For My Hair:

• Herbal Essences Beautiful Ends Shampoo & Conditioner (smells gorgeous and retails cheaply)
• Moroccan Oil (this product has literally saved my hair. I apply three pumps to this to damp hair and to my ends when dry)
• Aussie Luscious Long Leave In Conditioner (I spray 5-10 pumps through the ends of my hair after using Moroccan Oil then brush through with my Tangle Teezer)
• Almond Oil (I use this as an overnight mask)
• Coconut Oil (I use this as an overnight mask too)
• Injecto Shine Enhancing Glossing Spray (smells delicious and makes hair super soft and shiny)
• Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk (brilliant for the ends of the hair)
• Tangle Teezer (the ONLY brush I will ever use now)
• Palmers Protein Packs (retail cheaply and is the best hair mask I have ever used)

My hair length aim is just below my ribs. I have a long way to go but in my quest for quick growth, I purchased six months worth of supplements that were supposed to guarantee fast hair growth. The brand it called Viviscal. Although I read many rave reviews, they didn't make any difference to my hair at all. 

For a months worth of tablets, each pack worked out around about £40.00, something that can be very expensive when it doesn't work!

Saying that though, they have apparently worked for a lot of people so might be worth a go if you are out of ideas.

What products/supplements repaired your hair and made it grow?

Any recommendations would be much appreciated!

Thanks for reading.

Love, Amy.

x

40 Beauty Questions

Hi Ladies,


I noticed this on Vivianna's Blog and thought it would be a good way of getting to know me a little better....


Skincare:


- How many times do you wash your face daily?


Twice, I just splash water on my face in the morning then before I go to bed I do the whole works (cleanser, toner, exfoliator, moisturiser, eye cream and lip balm.)


- What skin type do you have? 


I have combination skin, which becomes drier in the winter months. 


- What is your current facial wash?


At the moment I am using Dermalogica's Special Cleansing Gel (be careful to use only a pea sized amount though as this can dry out skin if you use too much.)


- Do you exfoliate?


Yes, usually every 2-3 days.


- What brand do you use?


I use either Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer or YSL Natural Action Exfoliator (the yellow grains.) 


- What moisturiser do you use?


At the moment it's Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. I tend to switch though with Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion and if my skin is really dry, E45 cream - really good and cheap too. 


- Do you have freckles?


No.


- Do you use eye cream?


Not up to about a week ago but now I am using Dermalogica Multivitamin Firm I think it's called?


- Do you or did you have acne prone skin?


Not really, I do have the occasional break out on my chin but I guess I'm pretty lucky. If I do though, I find that putting a little bit of Sudocrem on the area before bed really helps.


- Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?


No.


Make Up:


- What foundation do you use?


I switch between Mac Studio Fix Fluid, Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation and Chanel Pro Lumiere.


- How about concealer?


Mac Studio Fix in NC30.


- Do you know your undertone colour?


I have absolutely no idea!


- What do you think of fake eyelashes?


I love them. I think Boots do the best ranges. Individual ones look nice too if you don't want your eyelashes to look 'too much'. Don't use any old glue though, the Mac Duo one is the best if you can get that one. 


- Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?


Yes, I'm quite guilty when I say that I don't always stick to this rule though!


- What brand of mascara do you use?


Lots of different ones but Loreal Telescopic and YSL Shocking Mascara work the best for me.


- Sephora or MAC?


Well we don't have Sephora in the UK so I'll have to say Mac.


- Do you have a MAC Pro-card?


I wish!


- What makeup tools do you use in make up application?


A mixture of my fingers and a random selection of Mac and brushes that I like the look of from Boots! (I desperately need some new brushes.)


- Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?


Not really, I just use Mac Paintpot in Painterly.


- For the face?


No.


- What is your favourite eyeshadow (colour or shade)?


It would either be Melon Pigment by Mac or Half Baked by Urban Decay (both very similar.)


- Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?


Both, depending what I am up to that day/night.


- How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?


Never luckily!


- What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?


I find them a bit messy and time consuming but love the finished look.


- Do you use mineral makeup?


I tried the Bare Essentials one a few years ago but didn't rate it.


- What is your favourite lipstick?


Either Gosh - Darling or Mac - Myth, both great bases for a tint or gloss.


- How about lipgloss?


It's not a gloss as such put I really like Clarins Lip Perfector in 02.


- What is your favourite blush to use?


I'm really liking Coralista by Benefit at the moment but I change all the time. 


- Do you buy your makeup on Ebay?


I bought a bronzer from there as I heard that the Kardashians used it (Smashbox in Suntan Matte) but haven't really used it. 


- Do you like drugstore makeup?


Yes! I love GOSH, Barry M and Rimmel and Maybelline. Loreal and Sleek too!


- Do you go to CCO's? (Cosmetic Company Outlets)


We don't have them in the UK unfortunately.


- Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?


No.


- Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?


Sometimes when it comes to using pigments, yes!


- Name a makeup crime that you hate?


Foundation that CLEARLY doesn't match the skin, concealer lips, badly applied lashes!


- Do you like colourful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?


Neutrals 100%. I need to experiment with more colour.


- Which celebrity always has great make up?


Kim Kardashian always looks really flawless!


- If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?


Either Foundation or Tinted Moisturiser, depending on my skin that day!


- Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?


Yes if I have a bit of fake tan on so don't look so pale. 


- Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?


I think everyone looks better with a bit of make up on. 


- In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?


I'd say Mac, EVERY TIME. 


- What do you think of Makeup?


I love it. I like to know what friends/other Bloggers/celebrities swear by and then I HAVE to have myself!


Thank you for reading!


Love, Amy

x

What's In My Bag?

Hi Ladies,

As promised, I'm back again with my 'What's In My Bag' post.

These kinds of posts are my guilty pleasure when it comes to finding out about other Bloggers. I think you can really find out what a person is like from what they carry around day to day.

So, the bag that I'm currently carrying is the Chloe Marcie bag in Tan. This is the medium sized one but it's still roomy enough to hold all of my day to day junk!

And for the exciting bit....

Purse: Louis Vuitton (looks HUGE here but big enough to hold all of my cards, receipts, money and slip in to a clutch on a night out.)

Perfume: Philosophy Amazing Grace (really light and perfect to wear in the day. Every time I wear this, I always receive compliments. It's lovely layered on top the the Amazing Grace Body Lotion too if you want longer staying power.

Notebook: PiP Studio. A good friend of mine sent me this as a gift. Her company make beautiful stationary and home ware. If you want to take a look, her website is here: www.pip-studio.co.uk. I usually carry this with me to make notes of things that I know I'll forget.

Handcreams: The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector. I absolutely love this stuff. Tali at The Gloss Gloss raved about this around about a year ago. This is my second tube. It's really rich and moisturising yet absorbs in to hands in seconds and leaves no residue at all. Perfect for colder weather and the tiniest bit of cream will be enough for both hands. I'm also carrying the Burtsbees Beeswax & Banana Handcream, which smells DIVINE! The cream protects and moisturises really well and lasts such a long time. It can leave an oily film on the hands though so I would recommend using this at night time. (It's lovely on the feet too.)

Multi Purpose Products: Smith's Rosebud Salve: I'll be honest, I don't know what I think to this yet. It's marketed as a multi purpose product and is supposed to be great at moisturising dry areas such as lips, cuticles and skin. I like but I don't love. This seems like something I just don't reach for, especially if I have Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream with me. I'll carry it around a little longer and will post a review for you when I've had chance to trial it fairly.

Eye Cream: Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm. If you need an eye cream, just don't look anywhere else. I know Origins have some pretty good ones, which I am desperate to try, but for now this works really well for me. I use this once or twice per day (depending on how lazy I'm feeling) and have found that it makes a massive difference to have the appearence of my under eye looks. This can also be used on lips.

Make Up Bag: Mac

Make Up Bag Contents:

• Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC35
• Chanel Natural Finish Pressed Powder (Translucent) in 40 Dore
• Nars Palette (containing Laguna Bronzer, Orgasm Blush and Albatross Highlighter)
• Dior Amber Diamond
• Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack
• Nivea Milk & Honey Lipbalm
• YSL Shocking Mascara in Blackest Black
• Korres Guava Lip Butter
• Mac 187 Brush (I use this to stipple foundation in to my skin)
• Mac Paint Pot in Painterly
• Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown
• Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NC30
• Mac Eyeliner in Smoulder
• Chanel Eyeshadow in Black Star

So there you have it. I hope that you enjoyed. If you would like to see in depth reviews of any of the products listed above, just let me know.

Thank you for reading!

Love, Amy

x

Here Goes (Finally!!)

Hi Ladies,

Well here goes, my first blog!

I've followed literally hundreds of beauty and fashion blogs for what seems like an eternity now and seem to have always put off setting up one of my own.

Seeing as it's a Sunday, I'm pottering around the house with my hair mask on (Naked Shine Coconut & Shea Glossing Hair Treatment in case you were wondering) and I just thought to myself, "I'm just going to do it and see how it goes!"

My inspiration to do this comes from the lovely ladies such as:

Laura at Buy Now Blog Later
Dulce at DulceCandy87
Zara at Mouldy Fruit
Laura at Liparazzi
Vivianna at Vivianna Does Make Up
Tali at The Gloss Goss

Obviously, I could list a million more. I'll do a post about my favourite Beauty/Fashion Bloggers when I'm up and running properly and I know what I'm doing!

When deciding if I like/want to follow a new blogger, I always look for the 'What's In My Bag' post then decide from there, so I suppose that would be a good place to start.

Any advice/tips that you could pass to me regarding getting started in the blogger world would be much appreciated!

A 'What's In My Bag' post is on its way!

Love, Amy

x