LVNDR Jewellery | My First Order

LVNDR 'Elly' Ring in Silver | £3.99 | Link

When the lovely Em over at EmTalks announced the launch of her new online jewellery store 'LVNDR', I was so excited for her.  I'm a big believer in supporting other bloggers and small online businesses and Em's blog has always been a firm favourite of mine.   I was amazed at the range of cute and quirky little trinkets and I fell in love straight away with this beautiful elephant ring.  Anybody who knows me will know how much I adore elephants - I do find it somewhat of a challenge to resist anything with nellies on. So, with that in mind, it comes as no surprise that my first order from LVNDR had to be this little chappy - just look at how cute he is!

Just recently, I misplaced a ring I always wear on my left hand.  I'd had it for around 3 years and I hardly ever took it off so it's fair to say I was a little bit sad about the fact it had gone walkies.  With my current student budget, it's fair to say I won't be able to replace my precious ring for quite some time, so I thought I'd head on over to LVNDR and place an order right away - I needed a little pick-me-up treat and I had the perfect excuse to do so!  What's great about LVNDR is that everything is so affordable and unique - I really like having pieces that nobody else will have and I spent ages on the website having a good look around.  When the little purple package arrived I was so impressed at just how much thought has gone into the brand. Everything is so well put together - from the simplistic design of the website to the way in which the product is beautifully wrapped up and sent to your door.  The lilac tissue paper, little mesh bag and rustic bow really do add such a personal touch and you can see how much time and effort Em has put into LVNDR -  it really does feel as if you're receiving something special from a friend.

Overall, I can't recommend LVNDR enough.  I'm sure you're all familiar with it by now but if not, do head on over to the website and have a browse (also hop on over and give @LVNDRtweet a follow!) - I'm already in love with the 'rose gold Giraffe pendant' and the crown ring - in fact, I'd happily buy the entire store. My first order was only a little one but I will definitely be placing another order very, very soon - it's also somewhere I'll keep in mind for future birthday gifts for friends and family.  Everything is super affordable and delivery is also really speedy - perfect if, like me, you need a little treat now and again.  Well done Em! It's so great to see bloggers doing so well and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for LVNDR.

Have you ordered from LVNDR? What have you got your beady eyes on?!

HUGE Beauty Haul | Drugstore & High-End Products

Oh dear. Look what happened.  Once again, I strolled past the beauty counters one too many times and came home with more than I anticipated. #StoryOfMyLife.  Fear not, I didn't go completely bonkers and buy all of this stuff in one go - (jeez I'm not that impulsive ;)) but I do seem to have accumulated a rather sizeable amount of stuff over the past 3 weeks.  Of course, being a blogger - I can't use anything properly until I've photographed it so I figured I'd swiftly put together a haul post. Who doesn't love a haul? I know I certainly do! I have a mixture of high-end and drugstore products so I've tried to categorise this post as best I could - feel free to skip on through and pick and choose the bits you're interested in til your heart's content. Expect to see a few of these beauty treats popping up on my blog over the next month or so - I'll be individually reviewing some of them so do let me know if there's anything you'd particularly like to hear more about.  Anyway, I guess I should quit my rambling and actually get cracking. Grab a cuppa, this certainly won't be a post of the 'short and snappy' variety...

Tanya Burr | Lipgloss in 'Chic' | £6.99 | Link

I've had my beady eyes on Tanya's range for quite some time now.  Admittedly, I'm really not a lipgloss person, but after seeing them on so many blogs and, of course, being a fan of the lovely lady herself, it would have been a crime not to give them a whirl! After a bit of umming and arring and some rather in-depth swatch-googling sessions, I settled on 'Chic', a beautiful brown-y nude shade with a hint of peachiness - perfect for everyday wear and for applying over the top of my neutral lipsticks. First impressions are really good - it's ever so slightly a little too sticky for my liking but I'm happy to overlook it for the gorgeous pigmentation and beautiful scent (I adore the sweet, strawberry smell!).  It applies really smoothly and easily too. I'm definitely going to be picking up some of the brighter shades in the near future.

Nyx | Xtreme Lip Cream in 'Peach Fuzz' | £7 | Link

When I discovered that Next stocked Nyx, I was over the moon! If you've always wanted to try the brand but prefer to swatch in-store rather than taking your chances online, it's the perfect excuse to give them a go.  I've been a big fan of their cream blushes in the past so I had high expectations for their lip products. I've always wanted to try one of their ever-famous Lip Creams so that's exactly what I came away with. 'Peach Fuzz' is one of the most talked about shades and it's easy to see why.  It's a stunning peachy pink with intense pigmentation and a slight glossy finish.  I'm planning on a full review of this soon.

Barry M | Lip Liners | £2.99 each (unsure of shade names!) | Link

Barry M had one of their offers on so I picked up a couple of bits.  I got one of these lip liners free - which in hind-sight is a very good thing because I picked the two most similar shades I could have possibly picked! My beloved Estee Lauder double-wear lip pencil in 'Spice' is running low so I wanted to see if I could find a cheaper option for the time being (i reckon my Estee favourite will be a birthday present.) Barry M had these 2 nude shades so I picked up both.  One is slightly darker and more reddish in tone - very much a 'brick' sort of shade, and the other is a little more neutral and leans more towards a brown, mid-toned natural shade.  I really like the Barry M lip liners - I must have the majority of their shades now and I really recommend them if you're after a cheapy!

Sinful Colors | Nail Polish in 'Snow Me White' | £1.99 | Link

If you've never checked out the Sinful Colors range in Boots, then you need to re-evaluate your life. Ok, maybe not that drastic, but you seriously need to go and have a nosey.  They have to be one of my favourite nail polish brands ever and I seem to be building up quite the collection! This one is a gorgeous glossy white - nothing overly special about it but I'm loving white nails at the minute and this one applies really smoothly and evenly and is also amazingly opaque. A lot of white polishes take forever to build up but this one is perfect.

Barry M | Gelly Hi-Shine Polishes in 'Passionfruit' and 'Blue Grape' | £3.99 | Link

Ohhhh do I have a story behind this purchase... *face palm* I did the whole 'walk into Superdrug for one thing and end up waltzing around balancing a sizeable tower of stuff in just one hand' jobby. I seem to have really perfected this technique over the years (who needs baskets? Not me, apparently!) and I felt quite confident in my abilities to skillfully shuffle my way to the till. I almost had it nailed, however, it seems that I must have gotten a little bit cocky - because with an accidental nudge on the edge of the Rimmel stand and a little wobble of the elbows, my nail polish bottle had taken a dramatic tumble and promptly smashed all over Superdug's newly refurbished, perfectly polished floor.  Yep. I was that girl. It wasn't just a little drop of it either - ohhh no - it was the full works... a complete swirly mess all over the new dark wood flooring complete with massive dollop in the middle. Some might say I'd dropped it so amazingly well that it created a beautiful spiral effect to rival the likes of Van Gough but all I could think of was how long it was going to take to get it to come off. Everybody around me turned to stare... and then edged away pretty sharpishly whilst dodging the sea of bright coral nail polish that seemed to be spreading across the floorboards at my feet. You couldn't have scraped any more polish out of that bottle if you'd tried. I proceeded to shout over the sales assistant, my skyscraper-beauty-product tower still half in-tact and perched delicately in hand as she stared for a few seconds at what a mess I'd made. Somebody should have got a basket. It all turned out fine though - Superdrug's floor was restored to 'good as new' status after a few wet wipes and half a bottle of nail polish remover - nobody would ever know about my mishap and all traces of bright coral were successfully removed. I was lucky enough that the sales assistant was absolutely lovely about it (although she wouldn't let me help clear it up no matter how many times I asked - awkward - try standing there for a good 5 minutes whilst somebody else works up a sweat trying to scrub your nail-polish spillage off the floor...) She thanked me for being so honest and we had a bit of banter about customers who spill stuff - apparently it happens all the time with nail polish and people just walk off and leave it?! Needless to say, after working in retail for 5 years that fact doesn't shock me one bit. I've had to scrub all sorts off shop floors, let me tell you. Gregg's sausage rolls ain't so appealing when you've had to scrape them away piece by piece from carpet fibres...

Anyway, storytime over.  I don't have any of the darker shades in the Gelly polishes so I figured I'd grab a couple.  Passionfruit is a gorgeous sunset coral/red shade (which will look so much nicer on my nails than on Superdrug's floor) and 'Blue Grape' is a gorgeous deep royal blue.  It reminds me very much of Topshop's 'AWOL' polish... except a few quid cheaper (every little helps don't you know?!) I can imagine these will look amazing with a tan!

B. | Flawless Long-Lasting Concealer | £5.99 £2.99 | Link

I went into Superdrug specifically to look at their 'B.' range of beauty products.  I've never ever tried anything from there so I really wanted to have a good browse.  I was over the moon to discover they had a 50% offer on all of their products (they still do if you're interested so hop to it!)  I decided to try their Flawless Concealer - I adore my Estee Lauder Double Wear concealer but wanted a shade or two lighter to use on those days where I need a decent bit of brightening up and I didn't fancy shedding out another £20. I usually hate the twist up 'stick' form concealers, but I was blown away at just how creamy this one was.  I haven't tried it under the eyes yet so I'm reserving judgement but I really was impressed at how creamy, pigmented and easy to blend it was.  It seems like it has amazing coverage too so watch this space!

B. | Rich Intense Colour Lipstick in 'Toffee' | £7.99 £3.99 | Link

Wow. These lipsticks certainly aren't telling porkies - they really are rich and intense in colour! I'm obsessed with browns at the minute (not for everyone but if you find the right shade, believe me they work a treat at whitening your teeth!) so I settled on 'Toffee', a mid-browny nude. It has a hint of shimmer in the tube but it doesn't transfer to the lips - it just gives the lipstick a lot of dimension.  It's so creamy and smooth - quite similar to Mac's Amplified finishes. It isn't glossy, it isn't completely matte - just a lovely in-between 'satin' like finish that feels comfortable to wear. Again, I won't say too much as I've used it once but so far, so good.

Rimmel | Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in 'Black' | £3.99 | Link
Whyyyy on earth have I never tried these liners? I don't often wear a liner in my waterline but if I'm going out somewhere special I do like some extra definition.  I'm not sure if it's my eyes but I seem to be put off applying liner in my waterline because it smudges almost instantly and looks ridiculous within an hour or so - so I'm holding out hope that this one stays put a little better.  I heard Tanya Burr raving about these in a few of her tutorials so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Loreal | Superliner Perfect Slim | £7.99 | Link
My favourite liner of all time.  I will forever re-purchase this beauty and it's featured in so many of my posts now.  Easy to use, long-lasting and one pen lasts me months. Well worth every single penny! I urge you to try it if you haven't already!

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Cream in Shea Butter and Vanilla | £4.99 £2.49 | Link

My new favourite body butter was on offer for £2.49!? Amazing! This tub is huge and lasts me quite some time. I promptly picked up a back-up for when my current one runs out as it was too good to miss out on the offer.  I spoke about this in my recent favourites post which you can read here, if you're interested! 

Arran Aromatics | Lavender Tea Tree Facial Wash | Link

I bought this off AllBeauty a while back for a fabulous bargainous price - but it's not on there now for some reason. Well worth shopping around for as it seems to vary in price quite a bit! I received this a while back in one of my first Love Me Beauty boxes and I've loved it ever since.  I speak about it a little more in one my 'Best of 2013' post here. It's such a lovely gel-like consistency and it's really soothing to use.  It has a very gentle exfoliating effect due to the little beads in it and always leaves my skin feeling really refreshed and clean.  

Arran Aromatics | 'After the Rain' Eye Gel | £5.50 | Link

I like the brand so much, I decided to pop their eye gel into my basket too.  I adore their range of facial washes and their body butter has to be one of my favourites too, so i figured I couldn't go wrong with their eye cream.  It's really lightweight and has a cooling, soothing effect on the skin.  It smells really fresh too. 

Shu Uemura | Art of Hair Essence Absolue Oil | £29.60 | Link

My most favourite hair oil of all time - EVER.  I've used all kinds of hair oil brands and this one tops all of them by a mile.  I have a full review of it on my blog here if you want to read more about it, but it really has revolutionised my hair routine!  I use it every single time I wash my hair without fail, and have also used it on dry-hair through the day to revive my style.  It's not heavy in the slightest but it's incredibly moisturising - if you find Moroccan Oil far too greasy or heavy then I really do recommend Shu Uemura's offering.  I actually find this more moisturising and it doesn't weigh my hair down half as much.  A bottle lasts absolutely ages too because all you need is 1-2 pumps per use.  You can also use it on hair extensions if they're feeling a little worse for wear - little tip for you there!

Nars | Sheer Glow Foundation in 'Fiji' | £31.00 | Link
Another repurchase for me. I've had 3 bottles of this foundation now and it's still my favourite - it's going to be a tough one to beat! It is, without a doubt, a little on the pricey side but it's well worth every penny.  I have a full review on my blog so I won't say too much about this one but I really do recommend checking out the Nars stand if you're after a long-lasting, medium-full coverage foundation with a satin finish.

Nars | Matte Multiple in 'Altai' | £30.00 | Link 
The star of the whole post! If you follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that I made an impulse purchase on one of the new matte multiples! As soon as I heard about them I knew I'd end up buying one - I'm such a sucker for contouring products and when I saw the matte brown/bronze shades I was instantly sold.  I was sold even more once the assistant had applied it to my face - WOW. I was speechless.  She made a very quick, easy sale there! I'll hold off from saying too much about this as I have a full review planned very, very soon! I also haven't swatched it for the purpose of this post as I wanted to keep it pristine for my full review... (sorry ;))

Lola | Foundation Brush | £14.00 £11.20 | Link

And finally, my newest addition to my brush collection - this foundation brush by the brand 'Lola'. I was so excited when I heard that Marks and Spencers were going to stock the brand in store. A while back, I discovered 'Lola' on a trip to Lanzarote and was so sad when I found out I couldn't get my mitts on it here in the UK (I have a post on one of their blushes here - amazing pigmentation!). Honestly, I really hope the brand becomes more well-known in the blogging community as it really is such an unsung hero of the cosmetic world! I bought this because the assistant in SpaceNK applied the Nars Multiple with a flat foundation brush and I loved the finish it provided - I don't really own one like this so I promptly took it to the till. It's one of the softest brushes I own and it seems really good quality for the price (it was on offer at the time) - definitely one of the more luxurious brushes I've come across!  I'll definitely be checking out more of their things in future now that they're more accessible. The brand is definitely more mid-high end and their products aren't the cheapest, but they're well worth getting to know.

And there we have it.  I must apologise for this rather meaty post! But I really wanted to feature everything together rather than splitting it up into two halves and I haven't done a haul in a good while. I will be doing full reviews on some of the products featured in this post so keep your eyes peeled! 

Anything here that tickles your fancy? Is there anything you'd like to hear more about?

Love Me Beauty Box | April's Contents

Love Me Beauty Box | £12.95* monthly (including delivery) | Link

Firstly, I just have to say HAPPY EASTER! I do hope you're all enjoying a lazy day tucking into an egg or two ... I know I'll certainly be regretting it later when I'm sat on the sofa in a chocolate induced coma after submitting myself to one too many Creme Eggs. Chocolate worshipping aside, I've also been tucking into some other little treats this month - of the beauty variety, of course! I always look forward to my monthly dose of beauty sampling goodness thanks to Love Me Beauty box.  Every month, they offer three different menus to choose from containing a variety of different products to test and try for yourself.  If the selection on offer doesn't float your boat, you can simply choose to 'skip' that month - which is what makes Love Me Beauty so unique.   There were a couple of little extras added to the box this month which made for a lovely surprise! Here's what's in my box for the month of April:

Betty Hula | Secret Wonder Oil Roller Ball | Full Size | RRP £6.25

I've always been intrigued by the Betty Hula range so I was really excited to see the brand pop up in this month's menus.  This little roller ball is a multi-purpose product which is said to moisturise the skin and promote radiance, whilst the roller ball applicator works to encourage circulation through gentle massage.  Suitable for all skin types, it relieves scarring, stretch marks and dry skin at the same time as soothing sunburn.   Personally, I'll probably be using this on my body instead of on my face - although I might be tempted to try it on my cheeks throughout summer when I've accidentally sat out in the sun for too long! It does have quite a strong, natural scent which lingers on the skin afterwards - it's quite refreshing and soothing. It's not greasy - which is a big plus point for me, and it seems to sink into the skin really well. I shall definitely be using this on travels thanks to the handy 10ml tube size.

Neal & Wolf | Glow Super Shine Spray | Full Size | RRP £9.50

This product is the star of the show for me! I've made no secret of the fact I absolutely LOVE Neal & Wolf products so seeing them included within this month's menus certainly brightened up my day! I chose this particular box purely down to this Shine Spray.  It's a weightless mist which is said to give long-lasting radiance and shine, whilst helping to smooth and tame the hair.  I adore the Neal & Wolf scent, so using something like this after I've styled my hair means my hair is kept looking soft and shiny at the same time as smelling pretty (I also use their heat protectant spray because I love the smell of the stuff so much!) I've used this a few times and it has to be a winner in my books - it seems to really help soften my hair and keeps it looking healthier and glossier for much longer.  Just a few sprays is all I need so I can imagine this 100ml bottle is going to last me quite some time!

Models Own | Nail Art Pen in 'Pastel Pink' | Full Size | RRP £6

This particular box contains one of Models Own's Nail Art Pens in a lovely pastel pink shade.  A couple of summer's back, I used to love doing nail art (there's a post on some of my floral designs here). I don't seem to spend time decorating my nails much anymore since I started nibbling them again *slap wrist* but I can't wait to start being a bit more creative with them again as soon as I manage to grow them back!  I'm hoping that I'll have my talons back in time for summer... These nail pens have a duo application system consisting of a thin nib for more intricate designs, as well as a long, thin brush for creating lines and thinner strokes.

Redken | Colour Extend Conditioner | RRP £9.99 | Sample Size (25ml)

This little sample sized conditioner is specifically for colour treated hair and is said to resurface the cuticle for a smooth, vibrant finish. It helps to detangle and provides protection from colour fade.  Personally, I don't have coloured hair - I just tint the top sections now and again when it's looking a little dull so I don't think I'll benefit much from the colour preserving properties of this one.  However, Redken are a brand I've used in the past and from what I can remember, I quite liked them - so I'll definitely be getting some use from this.  I'm thinking of saving it for a week's trip to London I have in July - it's quite a decent sample size! 

It's always nice to receive little extras! This month's box also came with 2 sample sachets of Weleda Stretch Mark Massage Oil and a £25 gift card for 'Hello Fresh'. I have to hold my hands up and admit I'm not the most talented of people when it comes to cooking and it's not often you'll find me getting creative in the kitchen unless I have the spur of the moment urge to bake a cake,  but for the foodies amongst you - it's such a lovely little treat.   Overall, another fabulous box from Love Me Beauty. You can find out more about the boxes and what they have to offer over on their website here.

Are you subscribed to Love Me Beauty? What's your favourite product this month?

New Topshop Buys | Lip Cream Lovin'

Ahh Topshop makeup. One of my many, many weaknesses. I'm usually pretty good when I waltz into Topshop. Gone are the days when I'd casually stroll in on my lunch break at work and end up spending my entire day's pay in an instant (we've all been there and felt the crushing guilt - let's face it)... that's why nowadays I tend to go in for something specific in order to avoid any spending mishaps.  With my best friend's birthday this month, I decided to have a mooch around their makeup stand to see if there was anything there I knew she'd like.  Typically, I walked out with a little more than I anticipated - an eyeshadow palette for my friend and 2 brand new lip products for me.  Standard.  In my defence, I actually only picked up the pink Lip Paint - but when I got to the till I discovered that they had an offer on. Oh, how convenient! If you were spending over £15, you received a free Lip Cream - yay! Welcome the two new additions to my ever expanding lip product collection...

Lip Paint in 'Reminisce' | £8.00 | Link

Described as a highly pigmented liquid lipstick, this lip paint is just the ticket for colourful, glossy lips.  I'm definitely not a lipgloss girl whatsoever - I'm very much a lipstick lover through and through so anything that combines a lipstick and a gloss in one without the dreaded sticky-ness is a winner in my books. I have to say - I've instantly fallen in love with this Lip Paint - so much so, I'm definitely going to be picking up a couple more in time for summer. I find it really creamy to apply without the dreaded stickyness (if you ever tried Rimmel's Apocalips, I'd liken it to those - more of a laquer than a gloss).  I opted for 'Reminisce' - a mid tone pink shade.  You can never go wrong with a mid-pink, right?  I actually bought it because I have hugggge love for Mac's lipstick in 'Fanfare' (post on that here) and this seemed very similar when I swatched it. If ever I feel like a slightly more vibrant and glossy version of my beloved Mac favourite - I shall be reaching for this Lip Paint in a jiffy...

Lip Cream in 'Dust' | £7.00 | Link

Now then - I was extremely, extremely tempted to opt for one of the bright shades in these Lip Creams (you's know how it is fellow colour fans!) However, I have so many bright reds, oranges and pinks and thought it might be a little ridiculous to add yet another one to my overflowing lipstick drawer. Since the Lip Creams were free when spending over £15, I decided to chance my luck with the nude peach shade, 'Dust' (*'DUST...anybody, no?'* - Gold star to you if you get that reference ;)). I was a little unsure about it if I'm honest - I half expected to get it home and realise I'd actually just bought a glorified foundation for my lips. Nope. I was pleasantly surprised.  It's actually a really pretty nude shade and I've been wearing it quite a bit just recently in the daytime. It lasts amazingly well and looks lovely when paired with a bronze smokey eye or neutral, fresh look. After a while, the glossy finish wears off and leaves behind a lovely satin flush of colour to the lips that feels completely weightless. Admitedly, as soon as I get a bit of a tan I don't think I'll be able to get away with this - depending on your skin tone it might be a little borderline 'concealer lips', but on my skintone currently - it works really well. It's also a lovely option to wear over the top of lipstick if you want to tone it down a notch. Consistency wise, it's a little less glossy than the Lip Paint and a bit more smooth and soft in texture. I likes it. I likes it a lot.

Overall, I've been really impressed.  Good ol' Toppyshoppy never fail to put a smile on my face when it comes to their lip products (if you still haven't tried one of their lipsticks, you're missing out!) I'll definitely be picking up some more shades for the summer - I already have my eyes on their Lip Paint in the shade 'Pout' - a gorgeous bright orange.  I'm also tempted to try their 'Gloss Inks' - if you've tried them - let me know!

Have you tried Topshop's Lip Paints or Lip Creams? What did you reckon?

Bird's Words Featured on Mallzee

'Never give up on something you enjoy purely because life is getting a little hectic'

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by the lovely folks over at Mallzee if I'd like to feature on their website as part of their new 'Blogger Showcase'.  After being introduced to Mallzee some time ago, I was so excited to see what was new on the site and of course, I jumped at the chance to be part of it all! I won't do a 'copy and paste' jobby on here - but if you fancy having a read of some of my jibberish, head on over to my interview/feature with them here.  I put my two-pennies worth in on all things blogging and discuss some of the things I've learnt throughout my 3 years of writing and scribbling away here at Bird's Words (3 years?! I started my blog before I started uni! It seems like a lifetime ago that I clicked 'publish' on my first ever post...) I also briefly mention a 90's fashion mishap and my love of Nicole Scherzinger's hair...

So what exactly is Mallzee, I hear you ask? I urge anyone who's interested in blogging, fashion and shopping (find me a girl who isn't interested in shopping and I shall eat my hat) to have a nosey - Mallzee describe themselves as 'the personal shopper in your pocket'. Now then, anyone who knows me will know of my hatred for the Tinder app (alreet there Laura and Sarah? ;)), but the Mallzee app is essentially the same concept except you're choosing clothes you like the look of instead of potential dates. Mallzee then becomes like a personal shopper in your pocket - showing you items available to buy online and on the high street depending on your style preferences. It's basically a fashion directory for your phone that personalises your experience depending on what you like and don't like - it's very easy to filter a huge array of items depending on what you're after. Mallzee also has some fabulous online features, such as interviews, articles and chit-chats with bloggers and fellow fashion-fanatics. 

Read my Feature

Download the App

Mallzee Blog

Have you tried the Mallzee app before? What are your blogging tips and tricks?

New Release | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipsticks | £8.99* 

When Bourjois released their Rouge Edition Lipsticks last year, it was instant love (you can read my post on them here). That in mind, you can only imagine how excited I was when I heard of these newbies to the Bourjois range - the Rouge Edition Velvets. Due to be released mid-April, these beauties promise a soft, velvety texture, a bold, matte finish and 24-hour hold.  Now then, I hate to break it to you if you're a nude lipstick fan - this range definitely isn't for the faint hearted and will most certainly be favoured by those of you who are partial a bold lip or two.  There are 8 shades in the collection, ranging from classic reds, bright pinks and nude-y corals to deep burgundy shades. Sound like your cup of tea? Read on...

The shades I received are 'Frambourjois' - a reddish berry pink tone, 'Hot Pepper'  - a stunning bright orangey-red, 'Peach Club' - a pale orangey-coral shade and 'Pink Pong' - a bright, vivid fuchsia. My current favourite has to be 'Peach Club' - it's a lovely mid-toned orangey coral shade that looks lovely for daytime wear - although I have to say, even though this is the lighter of the 4, it's still pretty bright! Firstly, I have to say that I love the application and lip-laquer styling that these lipsticks have - they're very much more of a lip cream as opposed to your typical lipstick formula.  They're easy to apply and set to a velvety matte finish.  Now, I have to hold my hands up here and admit that I'm never the biggest fan of matte lipsticks - so I do wish that they remained a little more glossy when on the lips, but I don't find them uncomfortable to wear and they really do feel very soft and weightless when worn - perfect if you prefer the matte look but hate the dry feeling! Personally for me, a little balm or gloss over the top and I'm good to go!  The pigmentation is simply incredible and these shades definitely make a statement - they really do pack a punch let me tell you! Wear time is also impressive- they don't budge easily at all.

Overall, I have to say I'm impressed with these lip laquers. They're so creamy and smooth and apply like a dream - although I always end up popping a gloss on top due to my preference for a bit of a sheen! Saying that, they aren't overly matte so don't let that put you off if you're like me! I really cannot wait to start wearing 'Hot Pepper' in the summer once I have a bit of a tan - it's so vivid and bright! If you're more of a nudes girl, it's worth looking into shade '07 - Nude-ist' which is more of a rosewood, brown-y nude - I will definitely be popping in store for a cheeky swatch of that one as soon as they're released.  If you loved the original Rouge Edition lipsticks or if you're a fan of bold, matte colour - these little beauties will be right up your street!

Which shade do you reckon you'll be trying?

Monthly Favourites | March

No word of a lie, I actually had to check what month it is just then. Is it really April? Cripes. March was indeed a bit of a toughie for me.  Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis may have noticed that my usual blogging schedule went a little topsy-turvy. As the type of person who likes a bit of routine in her life, you can only begin to imagine how much this made my eye twitch with nervousness... however, that ugly, black cloud that some like to call 'the dissertation' is now handed in and I'm slowly starting to get my life back. Wahey! Hopefully, Bird's Words won't be so empty this month - I had visions of seeing tumbleweed bouncing across my blogger homepage if it carried on much longer...

Nevertheless, amidst all that time sat at my laptop referencing clever folk and trying to make myself sound somewhat well spoken (anyone else find themselves shocked at just how many 'therefore's and 'furthermore's seem to spill out when you start typing anything for uni?!) - I've still found the odd bit of time here and there to find myself some new favourites.  Here's what I uncovered last month...

Elizabeth Arden | Eight Hour Lip Cream*

Admittedly, this is a fairly new discovery for me and I've only really been using it religiously over the past couple of weeks, but Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour lip cream has become my go-to lip balm for March.  Ok, so it doesn't last the 8 hours - I shan't lie - but its a very good little tin of balm nonetheless.  I find it much more moisturising than similar products I have in my collection and it's really smooth and soft.  It also smells really fresh and pretty. It does absorb and sink in pretty quick, which is what makes me a little dubious to the 8-hour claim but I find that i have to apply balm much less often when I use this - must be doing some good! I have to say, it does moisturise them very well. I'm not sure if I'd go out and repurchase but it's a nice product to have in my handbag and on my bedside table.

Rimmel Lipstick in 'Undressed'

Ohhh what's a monthly favourites if there isn't a lipstick in there somewhere? This month, I've really gotten into nudes again.  But I've definitely switched up and away from the typical nudes I'd usually wear and gone for something a little more, dare I say, 'grown up'. At 23, that seems a little silly to say - but I've really been getting into brown-ish hues and darker nudes as opposed to milkier ones (not that I was ever into 'concealer lips' but you get what I'm trying to say...) I've really been loving this offering from Rimmel - so much so that I reckon I've worn it almost every day throughout the month.  It's such a lovely colour - it's ever so slightly darker than my lips so when I wear it it still looks like I'm wearing a lipstick as opposed to a tint or a nude balm - and it provides a great deal of definition.  I've had quite a few people ask me about my lipstick this month too - so it must be a good'un! I've also been a fan of Mac's 'Half and Half' which is ridiculously similar (Mac's is a tad darker) - if you're after a dupe - head on over to the Rimmel stand!

Deep Steep | Moisture Stick in 'Lavender and Chamomile'*

I mentioned this in my Love Me Beauty box post earlier in the month and mentioned how intrigued I was (post here).   It's fast become one of my new favourite products to reach for and I've found it so, so handy to have.  For some reason, around this time of year, my skin always seems to go a little itchy and irritable - I always seem to be allergic to something in the air around March time! This moisture stick is so useful - you simply just twist up and apply to skin - you don't really even have to rub it in (i do, but you could get away without it...) It's so simple to use and completely mess free so you can moisturise on the go without looking like a loon with a tin of body butter on the bus.  I tend to use it most on the tops of my arms and it provides instant moisture relief, at the same time as keeping your skin feeling soft through the day. Love it.

Dove | Purely Pampering Body Butter (Shea Butter & Warm Vanilla)

Speaking of body butter... Here's another one! Why do I always seem to have a body butter in my favourites? Nothing like realising you feature one every month to highlight just how quick you get through the stuff, is there?  I threw this one in my basket on a complete whim a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to cut down on the fragranced stuff whilst my skin has been so sensitive and try something a little different. Dove always seems to be a winner for subtle scents so I opted for this one. I can't quite bring myself to use an un-scented product (such a girl...) so I thought this one would be perfect as it's not overpowering.  Firstly, the scent is beautiful - it's very light - but it's got a hint of sweet-ness to it. Secondly, the consistency is gorgeous - really thick and creamy - think Soap & Glory's Righteous Butter but even more so.  It's so dreamy - honestly, grab a tub! I'm so glad I walked past it and decided to take a chance - it's a definite re-purchase.

Eyelure | Naturalites in '020'

These have to be my most re-purchased lashes ever.  I know what you're thinking - but there's nothing to them? Maybe so. But that's exactly why I like them.  They look so natural and blend in to your real lashes so they're almost completely undetectable. They add that little bit of extra volume and thickness without looking like you're actually wearing falsies.  You know when you have one of those mornings when your mascara just doesn't sit right... (no? surely it can't just be me...) these lashes are perfect for those moments. They're super light and I often forget I'm wearing them. I much prefer wearing these to big, dramatic lashes now.  Honestly, give them a go. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Natural looking false lashes so under-rated.

Sanctuary Spa | 'Relax' Reed Diffuser

Yep. That's right. A reed diffuser. I'm aware it's not exactly the most exciting product in the world, nor is it beauty related but it's something I've been loving this month regardless. I'm a sucker for any 'relaxation' product.  This offering from Sanctuary is just the ticket - it smells beautiful - almost oriental - and it isn't overpowering either.  I catch the odd whiff of it when I'm sitting in bed or getting ready of a morning and I just love it. I can't really say much more about it other than it looks pretty sitting on my dresser and it makes my bedroom feel like my own little relaxation haven. Definitely going to re-purchase it as soon as it runs out - although judging by the size of the bottle, I doubt that will be anytime in the near future...

 What have you been loving this month? Any of my favourites tickle your fancy?