Fabulous Girlys I Need Your Help...

Some of you may have seen on my Twitter earlier today that i'd found a dress in TKMaxx... And here it is yet again. Yesterday, a lovely customer (whoa.. i know, a lovely customer.. rare breed) was having a good old natter to me and my colleague at the till, and we got onto the subject of what she had been buying on her little shopping trip. She was obviously rather minted.. and looked absoloutely glamorous (i felt like a reet sack of potatoes in my cruddy work uniform next to her) - she said she had just bought the most stunning maxi dress in TKMaxx and when she took it out of the carrier bag and showed it to us we literally were both stood there like 'wow' - it was such a pretty, statement dress and when she told us it was only £49 down from £130 we were even more impressed with her shopping skills.

Me being me, I decided to take a trip to TKMaxx today and see if i could spot a similar style for myself. Lo and behold i spotted the same dress in a slightly brighter print. The low backless style in my opinion, completely makes the dress; i find maxis can sometimes be a little bit boring and on holiday I'm sometimes a little unsure about covering up the tan i've worked so bloody hard for. It's made out of a beautiful silky material, has a bright summery pattern all over it complete with sequins and it contains 'le boobage' very well to say it has nothing to hold you in as such.. For £49 it's stunning... the only dilemma i have is that 1. It's very long on me because i lack in the height department and 2. Where am i going to wear it without looking over the top?! I'm going to Lanzarote in a few weeks and it isn't exactly the classiest destination ever (Peurto Del Carmen here i come.. ;)) Although there is a lovely bar attached to a casino that i could maybe, possibly get away with...

I'm considering going back tomorrow to buy it but I'd hate to spend 50 squids on a dress i'm never ever going to wear. Opinions & help muchos appreciated...

May Favourites

Cripes! It's the end of the month again and time for everyone to share their favourite products and beauty bits of the past 4 weeks. I do tend to miss the boat with these posts but this month I'm on the ball (get me posting on the 1st of June..wahey!) and have picked my most used beauty products of May.  I picked 10 products just because it's quite a nice number to go for isn't it? Here goes (prepare for photographical overload..)

Beauty

Models Own 'Hed Kandi' Polishes in 'Balearic Cool' and 'Hedonist': I'm just loving these eye-popping shades on my nails at the moment. I'm off to buy the others to complete my collecting this weekend since i have some serious Boots Advantage Card points that need a' spendin'! (Read my Nails of the Day post featuring 'Balearic Cool' here)

Revlon Lip Butting in 'Cupcake': My new favourite shade. I'm a mahoosive fan of the lip butters this is my current fave in the shade range. Ever since i bought my first one they've grown on me and my collection is getting rather extensive..

Nars 'Laguna' Bronzer: Needs no words. An absolute staple in my makeup bag in summertime. (My review here)

Illamasqua Blush in 'Lover': I've tried and tried to embrace cream blushers but theres no doubt this is still my firm favourite and I'm back to the powder again. This is the perfect peachy shade and is so pigmented - instantly brightens my face! (My review here)

Barry M Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil: Aside from the fact it's a bloody nightmare to sharpen, this eyeliner just does.not.budge on me. Even in last weeks summery weather it didn't move or fade whatsoever. Cheap and cheerful and does the job. 

Garnier BB Cream: Ooo a controversial one! You either love it or you hate it. Personally i love it. Try as i might i really am not a foundation kind of girl.. i much prefer a lighter coverage and this suits me just fine. Applied with the ever so famous Real Techniques Stippling Brush it goes on perfectly and looks smooth and natural.

Loreal Luminizer Mascara for 'Green Eyes': A move away from the Maybelline Falsies.. Not the best mascara for holding my lashes in place but it makes my eye colour look more intense and separates my lashes perfectly. I will be re-purchasing.

Sephora Concealer Palette: I bought 2 of these a while ago when i was abroad (since i live in the UK and can't get my mitts on Sephora very easily *crys*) and i've found the pink-ish colour very effective in concealing my dark circles. I just love the texture of these and they're great for mixing shades (and the green shade came in handy for a rather burnt forehead!)

Body

Nip + Fab 'Bust Fix': My bust doesn't exactly need fixing so i don't really know why i bought this - I saw it in a magazine and thought i'd give it a bash and I'm on my second tube already. It's meant to help smooth out and firm the skin, therefore making your chest area appear more 'toned'. It says it needs a good 4 weeks to notice any results but for me, my skin already looks smoother and i'm seeing how it goes. I thought it may be handy for 'bikini' season - used alongside my leg-firming body lotions and potions I have high hopes for a beach ready body for my jollys! If anybody is interested in a more in-depth review, please let me know!

St Tropez Bronzing Mousse: The sun came out. My poor legs didn't know what had hit them. Therefore, this bottle of my favourite fake-tan came in muchos handy! I always use St Tropez as i find it gives the most natural colour and is the easiest to apply - it never looks patchy and theres no awful 'soggy digestive' smell. Well worth its £30 price tag.

A Few New Clothes & Accessories...

Accessories

Headbands - Primark

Studded Ballet Pumps - New Look

Bikini - River Island

Nyx Nail Polish - River Island

I love little headbands like these for summertime as they're great to dress up a simple up-do when the weather is a warmer and you just need to get your barnet out of your face, or too add a bit of cute-ness to a particularly 'standard' outfit. The Nyx polish was of course an impulse buy at the till (River Island always do this to me at the tills..as do Toppyshoppy) - i've been loving blue nails at the moment so i thought this would look lovely over Models Own 'Balearic Cool' (seen here - its my current favourite shade and i'm addicted..) The bikini (blue , of course - my most favourite-ist colour right now) is for my potential summer holiday. I've been after a decent pair of ballet pumps for ages and was extremely chuffed to see these beauts in New Look - just a little bit more interesting than yer average Primark cheapys! They also have a teeny-tiny little wedge so they aren't completely flat.

Clothes

Denim Playsuit - Miss Selfridge (sale)

Puffball Skirt - River Island

Lace Chiffon Dress - A boutique near me, but it's by the brand 'Glamorous' and they also stock at Ark.

This playsuit was BARGAIN-OUS to say the least. I grabbed it in Debenhams with their 25% off event, and it was already in the sale for £12 - so i ended up getting it for around £9.50 - i just love the little pockets and lightwashed denim looks great in summer. The puffball skirt was an impluse buy and although its more of a winter piece i quite liked it - it's very 'puffy' when on though so i reckon it would be for a night out rather than an average day at uni! I love the fabric - in some lights it looks leather-y and it's quite a statement piece without being too over the top. And i was so happy to find the little yellow dress; yellow just looks amazing with a deep summer tan and i'll be wearing this on my jolly holidays.

Soap & Glory Kick Ass Concealer | Review

It will come as no suprise that I'm a very big fan of Soap & Glory's beautifying body products (who isn't?), and i've been wanting to test their makeup range ever since they launched it. Now, as far as concealer goes i always find myself reaching for my trusty Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection, however, the beauty blogger in me occasionally wants to branch out from the norm, test products on the market and try something new. I've heard such good things about this concealer and so decided to give it a whirl. Soap & Glory's packaging is right up my street; pink, girly and the occasional witty tagline. The packaging for the concealer is just my cup of tea and I'm sold with any product that comes in a box..

The Kick Ass Concealer is a 'Three-piece flaw camouflage kit' and contains 3 products in one (it also contains a mirror), which is all very handy for me as i like to carry my concealer with me for touch-ups on the go.

Step One: Under-eye brightening concealer with 'puffease'

Step Two: Superwear lightscramble face concealer

Step Three: Concealer sealing powder with 'Insta Fix' 

The consistency is lovely and creamy and applies with an almost mousse-like texture that can be patted into the skin for a flawless finish. It does suggest on the packaging that you apply moisuriser/eye-cream beforehand, and i must admit it does seem to make application a lot easier than just applying on bare skin - people with drier skins will definitely find is easier to apply after their daily moisturiser. If you're a fan of the Collection 2000 like me, then you will find this of a similar finish.

The pink toned concealer inparticular is amazing and instantly makes me look bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to face the day; it really does seem to counteract any purpley-dull tones that i seem to be very prone to. The general concealer does its job very effectively and covers any areas of redness (i find these concealers best applied with the fingers rather than a brush). I also blend them together slightly if i'm feeling ever so slightly devilish! Step three is a translucent setting powder which even comes complete with a little puff-pad. I tend to apply this after my whole concealer/base regime to set it all and it's come in very handy. 

Overall i'm impressed with this concealer - it offers something different to other concealers on the market and the packaging is wonderfully compact for what it is. I must admit i still find myself using my Collection 2000 throughout the day because it's still easier to throw into my bag and i find it stays put slightly longer. However, i've been using this everyday in the morning since i bought it and i'm really loving the two different tones for use on different areas on my face - the undereye concealer has been fabulous to say the least and i really like that it doesn't look as heavy or get 'cakey' as quickly as my C2000Lasting Perfection. For £10.00 it really is worth it, and if you love Soap & Glory - you'll love this.

Next Tan Bag & OOTD

Bag - Next 

Vest Top - New Look

Bandeau (worn underneath) - Primark

Belt - Primark

Skirt - H&M

Nails - Models Own 'Hedonist'

Finally, we have some sunshine here in the UK - cue everybody whacking on the shorts and t-shirts and laddish hooligans sitting outside of pubs complete with pint in hand (in fact that probably includes me..) Today i've just been to renew some library books at uni and to meet my motherbear for some lunch, so i just threw on something fairly casual. 

I've been after a tan coloured bag for ages - one that was big enough for me to keep my makeup bag and a couple of books in for uni but one that wasn't so big i wouldn't be able to use it on a regular basis so I was quite chuffed when i saw this affordable one from Next for £26. It has two pockets either side which is super-duper handy for me as i tend to lose things in my bags (we are all guilty of loosing our lipgloss amongst heaps of reciepts..), and this way i can keep my books neat and away from the mess of the main section! It's also lined with lovely dotty fabric and has a section for my precious telephone device :)

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine - lets hope it lasts!

Models Own: Hed Kandi Collection in 'Balearic Cool'

(please excuse my shoddy nail and horrible hands..I really need to pur-chase some display-wheels.. my nails are far from photogenic..blame it on the tedious shoe shop work!)

When i first heard about the Hed Kandi collection for Models Own i was super exciteee to say the least. I spent ages choosing between the new shades (including the new summer 'Beetlejuice' collection which, as you all probably know, is absolutely gorgeous), and finally decided on 'Balearic Cool' (and 'Hedonist' - but i still have yet to try that one..)

I don't know what has got into me just lately. I'm usually a classic reds and corals kind of girl when it comes to nails but I've been really loving blues and more daring shades the past few weeks. 'Balearic Cool' is a wonderful aqua blue shade, and its rather difficult to capture it's true beauty and brightness on camera; it's one of those colours you simply have to try for yourself (if you like blue of course - if not, then i suggest you stay well clear of this eye-popping shade..) It looks even brighter in direct sunlight, almost neon (but not enough to look tacky) and adds a wonderful flash of summery colour to any boring day. It most definitely lives up to it's sunshiney-inspired name. This is my first Models Own polish, and to be honest I'm super duper impressed. The colour is fabulous, application was a doddle and the staying power is absolutely flipping excellent - this photo was taken 2 days after application with no chipping whatsoever; it lived through a weekend of work and still lived to tell the tale. In fact, I'm on day 4 now with almost no chipping at all (it could be down to the topcoat i use but usually I'm having to re-apply by now). 

A winner in my books and definately the worth it's £5 price tag. 

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge Cream Blush in 'Fresh Melon'

Ever since I pur-chased the Real Techniques Stippling Brush (I haven't done any review on it simply because YouTube and Blogger are full to the brim of them right now) my cream blushers have been making an appearance on my dressing table more than ever before. I'm very much a powder blush kind of girl. I've tried and tried to love my Topshop cream blushes and yet i always return to my trusty powders. However, the stippling brush has inspired me to give cream formulations another go and just recently i've been loving them and the dewy glow they give that powder blushes often lack.

I love corals and peach shades on the cheeks and my motherbear was kind enough to donate this blush to me as she prefers a slightly deeper shade (yay - free product!). The formulation is amazing; really soft and smooth with a dewy finish. Whereas my Topshop blushes have a cream to powder consistency, the Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge feels moisturising and stays creamy even once applied. Personally, i liked it and despite the texture, the colour lasted for a good few hours without budging (even when it does disappear it doesn't 'melt' or go patchy - it just fades gradually). I have combination skin and i must admit i was a bit unsure at first. It does feel a bit too moisturising for me at times; i definitely won't be wearing this in warmer weather as i have the feeling it may be a bit heavy for me, however, if you often find your blush goes patchy due to dry skin on your cheeks, you'll love this.

I love that the product is multi-functional and you can also use it on the lips (it's handy to carry around in your bag as it also has a little mirror for application on the go). It applies quite sheer and can be built up for a brighter colour but it is so moisturising and looks amazing when worn as a blush at the same time. Of course, the packaging is just my cup of tea - sleek, matte black and sturdy and comes in a box (fantastico for storage purposes) and for £16.50 they're really worth it.

If you fancy dabbling in cream blush, i'd really recommend these; this one lasted me a whole day at uni without the need for any re-application at all (except for the odd touch up on my lips which understandably does fade quicker than it does on the cheeks!) However, if you do have oily skin or are prone to breakouts on your cheeks i'd probably stick to powders as it has a tendancy to feel quite heavy.  If you fancy a read up on any of my other favourites then heres a few suggestions to have a peek at (i must warn you they are all some form of coral shade - i just love coral way too much):

Topshop Cream Blush - 'Neon Rose'

Barbara Daly Cream Blush - 'Peaches & Cream'

Illamasqua Power Blush - 'Lover' (favourite blush everr ever)

What are your favourite cream blushes of the moment?

Lush 'Ickle Baby Bot' Bath Bomb

I must admit, I am a bit of a Lush addict (find me a blogger who isn't and I'll eat my bloggery-hat). I love going in there. It's a very happy place to be and the staff are always so chatty and helpful - if i ever fancy a treat, i pop into Lush for a natter and a copy of the 'Lush Times'. I'm very partial to a Dragon's Egg or a Comforter Bubble Bar now and again, but just recently, i have fallen in love and have gotten myself a new man in my life - the famous 'Ickle Baby Bot' bath bomb with his wonderfully happy blue face and stubby little legs. Who can resist that face? I certainly can't, let me tell you. He's fast become my new bath time chummy.

I have sensitive skin, which is ever so annoying as i have to be careful i don't overdose on Lush goodies; it's all very well and good smelling like a strawberry (or whatever scent takes your fancy) but sometimes all these fragrances and colourful glittery things make my skin rebel a little. This is when I treat myself to the robot fella. Admittedly, the Baby Bot is geared towards the smaller people amongst us and i know a lot of yummy mummys use this bath bomb to help send their little ones off to sleep. With the scent of lavender and containing essential oils, it's ingredients have been selected to be mild, gentle and soothing on the skin (lavender is also said to encourage sleepiness). But who says he's just for young'uns? Pffts. Just because I'm 21 doesn't mean this little blue-faced chap can escape me.

Needless to say, he turns your bath water a dazzling shade of blue, and fizzes like a beast (haa). The water is left feeling soft and moisturising and the smell of lavender isn't at all overpowering - it does seem to help you to relax and unwind. After a cruddy day at work, or just when i fancy a bit of relaxation, i always pick one of these up. At £1.85 he's cheap as chips too.

Whats your favourite bathbomb right now? (Im torn between this one, Twilight and Phoenix Rising...)

NOTD - Nails Inc 'Power Pink' - InStyle Magazine Freebie

This month, InStyle magazine are being rather lovely by giving away 3 summery shades of Nails Inc polishes.  Never one to pass up a freebie, i got my mitts on the shade 'Power Pink' - a mid-tone pink with undertones of purple.

I have a selection of Nails Inc polishes now and admittedly i haven't paid for any of them; I've gathered them from other magazines in the past, and my boyfriend very kindly collected me all of the free ones that came with bottles of Coke a while back (all he drinks is Coke so i was a very lucky lady that month!). I've always found the quality to be very good, and i have to say, as much as i loved the colour of this one i felt like the application wasn't great as the others in my collection. The consistency is rather thick and the brush seemed to gather a lot of excess polish. I just get the feeling that they have maybe skimped on quality slightly due to the fact it's a freebie.. either that or i just got an odd dodgy one?

Nonetheless, the consistency can be overlooked by the fact that the colour pay-off is fantastic, and one coat is enough to cover the nails to achieve a high quality opaque finish (i still applied 2 through habit...) The brush is also the perfect size and one stroke covers the whole nail - i also love the size of lid as it's very good for grasping - i do love a decent lid to grasp on to, let me tell you! I can't be doing with piddly little excuses of lids (im very clumsy) so Nails Inc have got it spot on for me. It gives a wonderful glossy finish and with an added top coat the polish looks even more amazing. I've also had this on whilst shopping all day and there isn't a chip in sight! For the price of the magazine i'm not complaining whatsoever. And even if the application wasn't the easiest I will probably be picking up the blue shade in a supermarket near me very soon...