tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4260687617246435762024-03-18T09:47:29.645+00:00Birds Words | Beauty, Fashion, LifestyleA Beauty & Fashion based blog & my little storage place for my thoughts on all sorts of stuff.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.comBlogger468125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-60575536324253099512015-04-19T19:54:00.001+01:002015-04-19T22:33:04.640+01:00Why I Miss the Way Blogging Used To Be <div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes I can't quite believe I started this blog 4 years ago. I've shared a lot over that amount of time and even though my rambles are mostly beauty related, I see my blog as much more than a place to share my opinions on cosmetics and make-up...it's become almost like a diary for me. As silly as it sounds, I often sit and read through my older posts - I find it so interesting to read back and see how much I've changed as a person. Bird's Words has seen me go through so much - starting uni, finishing uni, quitting jobs, beginning new jobs, break-ups, tough times, happy times - I feel like I've been writing this blog through so many different transitions and stages of my life that it's genuinely become part of me and who I am. When I published my first ever post, I never knew just how much of a big part of myself it would become or how many opportunities it would bring me. It became much more than just a beauty blog - it became an outlet and a distraction for me when I was feeling down, yet it also became a place for me to share my personal successes and happiness - it's been a complete joy to write. For me, my blog is a massive positive and something that I've grown so attached to and proud of during those few years. I can remember exactly who I was, what I was doing and how I felt even through the shortest blog post about a random lipstick. It's such a nice thing to have and all this time I've been writing, I've been unknowingly creating this little document containing snippets of my life for the past 4 years. I feel so lucky to have it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've always shared the negative with the positive on this blog and although it makes me sad to continue with this post, it's something that's been playing on my mind for weeks and weeks and it seemed silly not to share it - like I'm ignoring a massive elephant in the room. If you've been reading my blog for a long time, then you might have noticed a slight change the past few weeks and I feel as if I should be honest about the way things are -both with myself and my readers. I guess I just haven't been feeling as motivated as usual to keep up with my schedule - I'm sure we all feel like that from time to time (i stand by the fact that bloggers-block syndrome <b><i>is</i></b> real) but this time it feels a lot different. Usually if I've felt a bit de-motivated, it's been a fleeting moment influenced by working a lot or university deadlines - but this time it's much more than that - it's almost like I'm now at a crossroads in some way where I need to make the decision whether or not to continue doing something I've loved doing for so long, or stop. </span><br />
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I'll be completely honest and say that at the moment I feel like I'm blogging for bloggings sake. If anybody ever asked me 'when will you stop?' - my answer was always the same - 'I can't see myself ever stopping but the moment when it stops making me happy - i'll call it a day'. Honestly, I never actually thought there would be a day where I didnt love every second of my little blogging journey - but at the moment I don't enjoy this the way I used to and I'm not entirely sure I'm doing it for fun anymore - it's become more out of habit. Don't get me wrong, once I get into writing a post, I'm reminded why I love being a blogger, but I'd be lying if I said I feel the same as I used to about it. I've questioned why I'm carrying on despite feeling less than chipper about it and the truth is, it makes me feel <i>so</i> sad to let such a big part of my life go - if you're a blogger you'll understand just how much influence it has over your life and I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to call it quits on something I've loved for so long. Deep down I don't think I actually want to stop - but there's a couple of things recently that really have completely changed my mindset about blogging and, quite frankly, it's become clear to me that it's impossible for me to overlook these things. I questioned at first whether or not the way i've been feeling is because of new work commitments and life changes, but almost 3 months later - it's becoming clear as day that it's simply not the case. The truth is - I'm falling out of love with blogging. <i>There, I've said it. <b> </b></i><b>But I have no doubt in my mind why I've been feeling this way and it's by no means because I've simply gotten 'bored'. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blogging is an <i>amazing</i> hobby - you don't realise it when you begin but sooner or later down the line, you're introduced to the whole online community of like-minded beauty enthusiasts that share your interests and it's almost as if a whole new world opens up...your blog becomes much more than somewhere to share an opinion. You learn new things, discover all sorts you never would have before, open new doors for yourself and what's more - you develop genuine friendships. Familiar faces pop up in your comments box, a tweet from a favourite blogger or an email from a reader completely makes your day and if you're ever having a bad time - you know that somebody, somewhere will listen. The community spirit surrounding blogging truly has amazed me in the past and I can honestly say there's a select handful of people that I am <i><b>so</b></i> glad to have met and spoken to because of blogging...genuine people I've developed a genuine bond with all of which has stemmed from a few words in a comments box - it's amazing. But as with all things, there's a negative side to it all too. Everybody always seems to comment on the supportive spirit of blogging - but if you scratch the surface - is it really what everybody makes it out to be? Because I'm not entirely convinced that it is anymore and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only blogger who thinks this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's no doubt that blogging is not what it was a few years ago when I began writing. It's developed into something way bigger - we now live in a world where people make millions from sitting behind a camera in their bedroom and people have the potential to make good money from their writing. Don't get me wrong, as a blogger I think that it's fantastic - I'm sure if you're a blogger too you'll know just how much work and time it takes to publish content on a regular basis and I think it's a great thing that people are able to make money from doing something they love and pour so much of their personal time into (let's face it - it can become almost like a second job at times!) However, I do think it's made blogging a lot more competitive and results focused - it's losing that element of spontaneity as well as slowly taking away the fun, carefree element. A blog post doesn't stop at scribbling down your opinion anymore - it seems as if it's more about who can take the best photographs, who has the best layout, who has the most followers or comments and who gets noticed the most...everything seems to be focused around follower numbers and popularity. For some reason, it all seemed much more genuine to me at the beginning. There were no unwritten rules and it all seemed a much more positive, friendly and supportive place to be. I guess i just miss the spontaneous nature of the way things were 3 or 4 years ago...it was much more humble and there were no pressures whatsoever to blog a certain way. You just did what you wanted to do - you created your blog <i>your</i> way, there wasn't so much focus on sharing your entire life via social media and if someone stumbled upon your blog - then great. Everybody who blogged was blogging for the same reason - simply because they wanted to and loved doing it. There was no competition or rivalry whatsoever. Is it just me who sometimes misses the simple days of following a blog via GFC? When Bloglovin' was introduced, everything shifted in my opinion. If a blog didn't have a follow button I simply added it to a bookmark on my computer regardless - now it seems that your blog only gets noticed if you have a full set of social media icons and a bloglovin' button with an impressive number. </span><br />
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In my opinion it's slowly changed the way blogging used to be. Without giving this too much context, some of you might be aware that I found myself at the end of some accusations at the beginning of the year - and I have to say, that was without a doubt the turning point for me and I've never really felt the same way about blogging since if I'm being completely upfront and honest. It was like a switch overnight. Before it all, the thought of stopping never crossed my mind and I was so enthusiastic and motivated with my blog - probably more so than ever. But it's completely altered my thoughts on the blogging world and has made me feel so negative and down about the entire thing and try as I might, I just cannot shift it. Everybody has a negative comment from time to time but this was different. I just really don't think the same thing would have happened a few years ago and it's a shame that blogging has developed such a side to it. Over the years, I've seen a few bloggers find themselves at the receiving end of criticism for one reason or another - some of them I would have classed as favourite reads of mine. I've watched them completely drop off the scale and quit blogging almost instantly and I find it so sad that a comment or two on a computer screen can have such an effect on someone. I often wondered why they would stop all because of a few words but I have to say - I <i>completely </i>understand now. When blogging is such a big part of your life, of course it's going to effect you on a personal level when negative things are said. When your integrity has been questioned also - as mine has - it's extremely difficult to move on and forget...especially when you literally can't do a thing about it (and believe me, I've tried). It's so incredibly frustrating - I can't even begin to put it in to words. I've had people I've always noticed pop up in my comments box completely disappear, I've read things about myself and my blog that simply aren't true in the slightest - in fact, I'm pretty sure I've read posts on the subject - and if you haven't had it happen to you then it's hard to imagine how it feels. You can't <i>not</i> take it personally. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can read a thousand positive comments on your blog but still only remember the negative ones and I'm not going to sit here and pretend it's not bothered me - because <b>it has</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> I've actually sat in tears on my boyfriend's sofa telling him about all of this and I've had endless conversations with friends and colleagues and it's just made me think - <b>if this is what blogging has become - is it really worth it?</b> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some might say that's dramatic and it's silly to read so much into a negative response or comment, but I'm just the type of person who doesn't take well to things like this and as a result, I've lost all enthusiasm for something which I used to love overnight. Not everybody on the internet has a thick skin and I think that's important to remember. It really has gotten to me on much more of a personal level than I would have imagined and I completely salute all the 'big' bloggers and Youtubers out there who have to deal with hate, accusations and gossip on a regular basis. I raise my hat to you. I couldn't do it. The internet can be a cruel place.</span></div>
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I guess what I'm saying is that I'm not entirely sure what the future holds for Bird's Words anymore and that there are reasons why I feel this way...<b>it's not because I've gotten bored, or can't be bothered, or that life has got in the way, or even that i particularly want to stop...and I guess I just wanted to highlight that fact. </b>I still plow through my reading list on my lunch break, I still buy products and 'save' them because I want to photograph them looking all pretty and I still find myself jotting down ideas for posts - the beauty obsessive blogger is still here somewhere - but I'm struggling at the moment to take the plunge and get back to where I was. Of course, if I do decide to take a break then there's no reason why I might not come back or start again in the future once I feel ready - I like to think that I would - but I hate doing things by halves. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I still have a few posts I want to write so I won't drop completely off the face of the earth, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I just reckon it might be time to step back, re-evaluate and twiddle my thumbs for a while until I know where I stand with my blog and the bloggosphere in general.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Anyway, before I ramble on any further, I shall end this post here (I've written an actual book here haven't I?) I have no idea where I've been going with this if I'm completely honest - I reckon I'm writing it more for my own benefit (isn't it funny how blogging can be a form of therapy!?) - I guess I just wanted to be completely honest about the way things are. Like I said, I've always shared the negative with the positive and I just wanted to let other bloggers out there who maybe feel or have felt this way in the past that you're certainly not alone. I really hope that a little downtime will do me good and I'll be back to my old blogging ways in the near future. Before I tottle off, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just wanted to say that your </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">support has not gone un-noticed. Honestly. Thankyou so<i> so </i>much to those of you who have carried on reading and commenting - you're the reason I've continued despite feeling less than chirpy about the blogging world and you really have spurred me on... thank you to each and every one of you for making writing my blog such a wonderful experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">*P.S - I apologise this post was so long - I did try to cut some jibber-jabber out but it made sense for it to just be a completely honest ramble - not planned :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Lots of love xx</b></i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com70tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-4903181530686514412015-04-13T20:31:00.001+01:002015-04-13T20:31:43.763+01:00The Spring Smokey Eye | New Arrivals from Yves Rocher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DVsNJJ8s96bzxif2WTNfkoRyUJ5UCfM8NvVEbqDKYQvl-jLksiZbrQcqFCJwu4QUOCOK5RoOCMJo8T-YMSJdccaSZB-9xMpkyItBf0PGTuUxiDX5fx1meLTU3NRGWwK44lAmf9ONogg/s1600/DSC09177e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9DVsNJJ8s96bzxif2WTNfkoRyUJ5UCfM8NvVEbqDKYQvl-jLksiZbrQcqFCJwu4QUOCOK5RoOCMJo8T-YMSJdccaSZB-9xMpkyItBf0PGTuUxiDX5fx1meLTU3NRGWwK44lAmf9ONogg/s1600/DSC09177e2.jpg" height="458" width="665" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yves Rocher is a brand I've recently been introduced to. After falling in love with one of their summer fragrances last year, I was quite excited to give some of their cosmetics a try. As France's number one selling make-up and skincare brand, Yves Rocher uses home-grown botanical ingredients to create affordable, natural beauty products. I've been putting some of their new arrivals to the test the past couple of weeks - a selection of eye make-up goodies perfect for creating a Spring Smokey Eye. I have to say I instantly fell in the love with the eyeshadow palette...the colours are simply perfect for the season and I couldn't wait to get creating some looks with it. Anyway, I shall refrain from rabbiting on and just get into the nitty gritty... Here's the lowdown on some of Yves Rocher's latest bits and bobs...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqULRVHAZMBc1dZqQ_IL0m6iD3nC80LZzsQkGa27oDbbtU7NeVvy4pL9p4Fapuu6rXjPCxWumMN6pTKh6kwAVyZVzP0SDS3zq63z4v-we9mK-OfxCAFVFmgnQdijnXxvbfEeMImRLSRV8/s1600/DSC09237e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0wm; margin-right: 0em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqULRVHAZMBc1dZqQ_IL0m6iD3nC80LZzsQkGa27oDbbtU7NeVvy4pL9p4Fapuu6rXjPCxWumMN6pTKh6kwAVyZVzP0SDS3zq63z4v-we9mK-OfxCAFVFmgnQdijnXxvbfEeMImRLSRV8/s1600/DSC09237e.jpg" height="444" width="665" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Intense Kajal 100% / £9.95* / <a href="http://www.yves-rocher.co.uk/control/product/~category_id=2000/~product_id=16051">Link</a><span id="goog_2096408104"></span><span id="goog_2096408105"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now then, I'll be </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">honest - I've never quite cottoned on to these 'kajal' liners. I see them reviewed quite a bit and for the most part they're always well liked - but I just can't seem to grasp the concept. I prefer a smudged line underneath my lower lash line as opposed to a clean line anyway so it does work for me in that sense - the product is soft to apply and provides good pigmentation and the shape of it means that it provides a soft and sultry look. However, I'm a bit confused as to what happens once the tip has worn down slightly as I already find it a bit difficult to use. I reckon I'll end up using it as an eyeshadow stick for when I'm going a bit heavier and smokier with the eye makeup - i think it will make a nice base product.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGKDRu19JzerQTn4r3wvGtxgSlbhnVk0snGbHW0i5dwQxDoU2ZI5C1VIhMlXlSLJk-1YdjfVpEdu_RJiR_KvsdX8xabqJdPTtJRSx03HNTPQQSGGNlVagooVTCjH1J-DFXX1kCfb80I4/s1600/DSC09204e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGKDRu19JzerQTn4r3wvGtxgSlbhnVk0snGbHW0i5dwQxDoU2ZI5C1VIhMlXlSLJk-1YdjfVpEdu_RJiR_KvsdX8xabqJdPTtJRSx03HNTPQQSGGNlVagooVTCjH1J-DFXX1kCfb80I4/s1600/DSC09204e.jpg" height="450" width="665" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Sumptuous Colour Eyeshadow Quad Palette in Red Hot Brown / £12.50* / <a href="http://www.yves-rocher.co.uk/control/product/~category_id=2000/~pcategory=2000/~product_id=W65791?cmSrc=Category">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yves Rocher have created a series of these quad eyeshadow palettes with a variety of tones and colour options. Naturally, I opted for 'Red Hot Brown' - I'm such a neutrals obsessive after all. Firstly - I love the simplicity of this quad - it has everything you need to create a variety of looks and it's lightweight and compact in size… the elegant gold casing and large mirror finishes it off nicely. The first time I swatched this palette I was blown away by the consistency and pigmentation of the shadows. They're incredibly soft and buttery to the touch - even the matte purple/brown shade is super creamy and pigmented. I usually find mattes to be a bit more chalky in texture but this palette really has got every shade spot on the mark… I certainly wasn't disappointed. Whats more, the shadows can be applied wet or dry. Applied wet, they create a more intense, metallic sort of finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been using this on a daily basis since I got it - the champagne shade is perfect for the inner corners of the eyes or for using across the lid, and the taupe shade is a gorgeous everyday sort of colour. I adore the rust gold/brown as it really seems to bring out my eye colour - and I can definitely see myself wearing it on holiday with the dark brown blended onto the outer corners for a super quick and easy summer smokey eye. The slight purple hue is so pretty. The colour stays put really well on my eyelids (i always use a primer first) and stays looking smooth and radiant for a good few hours. Overall - this is a fabulous little palette and totally worth the £12.50* - I've bought drugstore palettes for similar prices in the past but Yves Rocher really have stepped it up a gear with pigmentation and consistency and I definitely think it rivals my higher-end favourites. I reckon this might be jetting away on holiday with me (not that I'm planning already or anything…) - the colours will be perfect with a tan!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mascara Volume Vertige / £11.50* / <a href="http://www.yves-rocher.co.uk/control/product/~category_id=2000/~product_id=67796">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've heard good things about Yves Rocher mascaras in the past - I remember when they launched their 'Sexy Pulp' mascara a while back and reading a tonne of fab reviews so I couldn't wait to give this one a whirl. The Volume Vertige mascara is enriched with a fixing botanical extract which helps lashes hold a curl for longer - something I always look for in a mascara as my lashes are straight as straight can be. The brush is also a unique 'Reservoir Wand' - which disperses product evenly and prevents clumping. I've only used this a couple of times so far but it seems to separate the lashes really nicely - creating natural looking volume and definition...not a clump in sight. It also seems to do a fab job of holding a curl but so far I've been using this mostly at weekends - I'm yet to see how it holds up through a whole day at work which will be the true test here... my lashes seem to lose their 'umph' a little when I'm at the office! It's worth mentioning that it removes easily - always a plus point in my opinion! Nobody likes scrubbing their peepers of an evening do they? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So far, so good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Fixing Eye Primer / £7.50* / <a href="http://www.yves-rocher.co.uk/control/product/~category_id=2000/~product_id=17987">Link</a><span id="goog_2096408104"></span><span id="goog_2096408105"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I <i>always </i>like to use an eyeshadow primer. Ever since I discovered the benefits a few years ago it's become a part of my daily makeup routine. Not only does it lock in colour and keep it in place for longer, it also helps to intensify the colour of your shadows. Enriched with Camellia Oil, this primer smoothes and fills wrinkles and imperfections, creating a smooth base for your eyeshadow. I've only used this a couple of times so far as I'm trying to save it for my holiday in July - the tube is so lightweight and is perfect for travelling with! I really like how smooth and easy it is to apply and it makes my eyeshadow much easier to blend as well as helping it to last through the day. It seems to prevent it from creasing in the upper lid which I seem to struggle with after a long day at work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, a really nice little selection from Yves Rocher. If you were going to treat yourself to anything I'd say go for the eyeshadow palette. It really is a little gem of a palette and looks so much more expensive than it actually is...it really does rival some of my high end favourites and it looks set to go in my suitcase this July. You can find <a href="http://www.yves-rocher.co.uk/control/main">Yves Rocher makeup online here</a> - all products are really reasonably priced and I can't wait to treat myself to couple more things from them... their powder blushes look very tempting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried anything from Yves Rocher? What would you recommend I try next?</b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-52993612385384525112015-04-01T20:28:00.000+01:002015-04-01T20:28:26.504+01:00The Glamour Spring Beauty Edit Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I heard through the grapevine about the new Latest in Beauty 'Glamour Spring Edit' box - I knew it would be a good'un. With contents totalling a whopping £99, there was bound to be some beauty gems in there - and I wasn't wrong. There's definitely some big names in the Spring box - Moroccan Oil, Nuxe, Kiko and Revlon to name a few. It's safe to say that I couldn't wait to get my mitts into this one...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Packaged in a pastel coloured box and wrapped in dotted tissue, the Spring Edit box is a pastel, girly treat containing 9 different products. Here's what I received in my box:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Model Co Creme Rouge Cheek & Lips in Just Peachy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask - 75ml</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beauty UK High Brow Kit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rimmel Oh My Gloss! Lip Gloss in 'Snog'</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Revlon Colorstay Nail Enamel in 'Full House'</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy Diamond Top Coat</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nuxe Creme Fraiche De Beaute Mask, 50ml</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kiko Long Lasting Eyeshadow Stick in 07</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elie Saab L'eau Couture Perfume sample</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A delightful mix of hair, makeup, skin and nail goodies I'm sure you'll all agree! The box also comes with a 12 month subscription to Glamour magazine discounted by 62%...all for £16.99*. I have to say I reckon this might be the best Latest in Beauty box yet... I've bought a few of them in the past and I've never been disappointed but this one really does top the mark for me! As far as beauty boxes go - Latest in Beauty have to be my 'go to'... Yes, you loose the element of surprise slightly but you're never left feeling disheartened and there's always a fabulous variety of products to try. I often check the website to see what's coming up...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I won't go into detail of each individual product as I'm still working my way through trying and testing all of them - let's face it, there's a lot to get through (i predict there might be a couple popping up in a monthly favourites sometime soon...) Personal favourites so far have to be the <b>ModelCo Creme Cheek and Lip</b> tint in 'Just Peachy'. It's a stunning bright coral-red perfect for the summertime - I reckon this will be a holiday favourite for me. As I'm thinking of booking a holiday abroad soon I'm sure I'll get plenty of use from this over the next few months. I love a good versatile product too so the fact that it works well on the lips to is a nice fruity bonus! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm also a fan of the<b> Rimmel 'Oh My Gloss' lipgloss.</b> It's so smooth and glides onto the lips easily with next to no stickiness at all. I love the shade as it pairs well with my '90s' nude lipstick shades - I love it over Mac's Velvet Teddy at the moment! It just adds a bit of dimension and the pink hue is really flattering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The<b> Moroccan Oil Intense Hydration mask</b> is also a winner in my books. I love a good hair product and I'm always reaching for deep conditioners and masks like this one - I'd like to do a full review of this soon so for now I shall keep it short and sweet - but it's made for a very welcome addition to my hair cupboard. I'm also super excited about the <b>Nuxe Creme Fraiche De Beaute Mask.</b> I've heard amazing things about this face mask, and after reading a few reviews of this box it's clear that it's been the star of the show. I can't wait to see what it does for my skin - I've been burning the candle at both ends just recently so to say it could do with a bit of pampering is an understatement...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was also chuffed to see <b>Kiko </b>make an appearance in this box - i've always wanted to try something from the brand so this lovely champagne toned eyeshadow stick will make for a nice introduction. As for the other products, the <b>BeautyUK eyebrow palette</b> is a must-have in my collection. I actually already have this from a past beauty box but I've got a tonne of use out of it so it's nice to have back-up ready and waiting. The Revlon polishes are a lovely addition too - I particularly like the blue shade as I think it's going to look amazing with tanned skin through summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, I'm <i>so</i> happy with this box. There's not a single thing in there I wouldn't use and I think it's been the best LIB box so far for me. The mix of products is really well thought through and I like that the shades of the products are quite neutral - meaning i'll get plenty of use from them on a daily basis. You can grab the Glamour Spring Beauty Edit box on the <b><a href="http://www.latestinbeauty.com/glamour/?gclid=CjwKEAjwru6oBRDDp4jRj4bL_xASJADJ2oby7pSLGtrowr0G4ykWvmetCIJwRGQRxwMgH--0M8MonRoCbg_w_wcB">Latest in Beauty website here</a></b> for £16.99*.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you got your mitts on this box yet? What was your favourite product?</b></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-9198924209758654522015-03-29T19:00:00.000+01:002015-03-30T19:38:48.360+01:00Finding a Job After University // Tips & Advice<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Image: <a href="http://dustjacket-attic.com/2012/03/weekend-musings-18.html/">Source</a> // Edited </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's no doubt that finishing uni is both an exciting and rewarding time - but it's also a worrying one. I always knew it was going to be the beginning of a tough few weeks or months of job-hunting for me but I don't think I was <i>quite</i> prepared for just how much it would take it out of me on an emotional level. I'm sure we've all had a little moan and a grumble about our jobs from time to time, but honestly - when you're out of work and struggling to find anything to even apply for let alone bagging yourself an interview, you really do realise just how much having a job effects your emotional wellbeing. I don't think I'll ever take it for granted quite so much again - in the space of a few weeks I was plagued with self-doubt and worry...it sounds dramatic but if you've been there, i'm sure you'll know the feeling. It's so unbelievably frustrating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it's probably the wrong time to publish this post but if you've graduated earlier last year and are still struggling, hopefully this might help somewhat. Getting my foot on the career ladder was most certainly one of the most stressful things I've ever had to do but I persevered and got there in the end. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I definitely made a few mistakes along the way - i'm by no means i'm saying I regret them because things have turned out exactly how I wanted them to - but I thought it might be of some use to share my experiences and exactly what I learnt along the way. I know it might seem easy to reel off a tonne of tips and advice now that I'm settled in a job, but after trying to help a fellow graduate of mine find a job recently I've spent quite a bit of time reflecting on my own journey and what worked for me... Here's a few things to remember if you're struggling to find work after finishing your degree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>1. Remember that nothing happens in an instant.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you know that on average it takes a graduate up to 9 months to get a job in their chosen field? My tutors warned me it could take this long but I think I just assumed it would be a lot quicker than it was and I simply waved it off thinking 'surely it can't be that hard?'. Well - it is. Reality hit me like a brick in the face as soon as I left and all in all, it took me 5 months to get my foot on the ladder. Admittedly, I could have accepted something much earlier than this but I was a bit of a dare-devil and waited for something perfect to come up. Risky move - but just bare in mind that a job offer is not going to fall into your lap the moment you get that degree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. Strike whilst the iron is hot...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes it's slightly daunting and nobody relishes the thought of job-hunting, but to give yourself the best chance possible it's best to start as soon as you can and bite the bullet. The more you wait around the harder it's going to be - both in terms of your own motivation and also in what employers will think should you ever start applying for jobs in your field. I</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> graduated in July and began job hunting straight after a holiday in August - I had a couple of weeks off to relax and then got straight on the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3. Use social media to your advantage.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I actually got my job via LinkedIn. So many people ignore it and it's such a wasted opportunity if you do. I made sure i kept it updated on a regular basis and I searched their job pages weekly. My advice is to keep your profile as open as possible - have it set so other professionals can see you when you've viewed theirs. I got lucky with this - I had prepared a list of companies I'd like to work for and began looking through LinkedIn to find relevant contact names and numbers/emails etc. A few days later, I had a message from one of the profiles I'd viewed and it turns out they were starting to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">think about looking for a new graphic designer. Less than a week later I was sat in the interview and I got offered the job the next day. This was all because I'd done a bit of research, been a little bit nosey and got myself noticed by the relevant person. You never know what's going to happen so get on it and start networking. I also used Twitter & Facebook to promote myself and my work (i set up professional pages and never used my personal one) - a lot of companies will sometimes turn to social media before they start spending time and money advertising to fill a position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4. Take every opportunity that comes your way.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow up every email or offer of an interview you get - even if you don't feel as if you're too fussed about the job. Apply for placements, apply for temporary work and if you're a fellow creative like me, consider searching for freelance projects to keep you going. I was kept busy for a good couple of months through placements and freelance work and I'm so glad that I did this - it really did round off my CV and it's attractive to employers if they can see you've kept yourself in the loop whilst you're out of full-time work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5. Try and stay positive.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's hard - and believe me I know how much you seriously want to throttle any person that tells you to 'just stay positive' but it really is true. Do whatever it takes to keep your spirits up - for me, it meant spending one heck of a lot of time around my friends (thanks Fran - I know you'll read this) - I'm not saying I didn't have any teary moments (believe me, there were many of those...) but try not to wallow in the frustration. Every day is a new day and try not to take it too personally if you do get knocked back. Allow yourself to have a few down days but never let the feeling of disappointment stop you from continuing to try - it also goes without saying but don't go into interviews with a defeatist attitude either. Postive thoughts - always.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6. Trust your gut instinct but don't be too fussy</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was maybe a little<i> too </i>fussy. Some would say this was my biggest downfall and I most certainly got a few gasps when I told folk I'd turned down job offers - but all in all, I'm glad I stuck to my guns - it was just a risky move to make. I turned down a few opportunities but by doing so, I came out much better off for it - I got an amazing freelance opportunity and ended up getting the job I<i> really</i> wanted for the sake of an extra 3 months or so. That being said, 3 months is a long time when you're unemployed and there were many times I wished I'd just taken opportunities when they came. My advice would be to weigh up the pros and cons properly - you've spent 3 or 4 years working towards this and at the end of the day, you need to feel comfortable and happy with whatever it is you decide to do - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">you don't want to spend all that time studying and end up in a job you simply don't enjoy but be aware that you might have to take something you're not entirely in love with to begin with. Which brings me on to my next point...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7. Know that your 'dream job' probably doesn't even exist</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh but wouldn't it be lovely if it did? I spent far too much time dreaming of my 'perfect' job and was wayyy to narrow in my search in the beginning. I actually changed my mind about what my 'dream' job would be during my search after going to different interviews, completing placements and discovering more about the industry - so keep in mind that what you<i> think</i> is the right thing for you, might turn out not to be. Widen your search, keep an open mind and don't focus on 'the perfect job'... more often than not, it just doesn't exist and you're only narrowing your own chances by being too focused on having everything 'just so'.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8. Make the job-hunt into a job itself...</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got up early every week day and spent time searching job sites, newspapers and LinkedIn - making notes, crafting CVs and making check lists/plans. I rarely had a day where I did absolutely nothing and I made sure I treated the job-hunt seriously. My career path of choice is notoriously difficult to get into and there were weeks and weeks where there was next to nothing to apply for - but get into a routine, stay ahead and you'll find you uncover a few things to keep you going. I signed up to all the job sites and agencies there was and I <i>constantly </i>updated my CV and professional networking sites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9. Tailor your CV and covering letter for each job.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have an entire folder full of different versions of CV's on my laptop - I<i> always</i> tweaked it for each company. Really study what they're looking for in the job advertisement and take time to research what sort of company they are and what sort of 'personality' or approach to work they have. I changed certain key words and played up certain skills or attributes for each one. This also goes for your covering letter. I made myself a batch of about 4 or 5 templates and edited whichever one I thought was most suitable - I don't think I ever sent out the same covering letter or introductory email twice. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's easy to forget just how many people are applying for the same job that you're applying for. The moment you slip into the habit of churning out CVs and covering letters without really putting much thought or 'heart' into it at all is when you're going to lose out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10. The importance of placements...</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not sure if this is the same for everybody but in my field of work - having a number of placements on your CV proves to be so valuable and mine provided me with some amazing opportunities such as further paid work. I built a number of them up over 3 years but if you're struggling to find full-time work, now is a great time to apply for internships and fill some of the gaps in your CV. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'd done a number of internships and placements at creative companies before I finished uni, and not only did this make getting my job a lot easier, but I also had a very good insight into how these companies go about employing staff and I picked up a tonne of good tips and tricks. Having a few placements under your belt is always good so ask around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11. Contact companies even if they aren't hiring & get on people's radar...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like i said, the company I work for weren't advertising for a new designer when I stumbled upon the job - I just got lucky and viewed their profile on the day they were starting to consider hiring a new member of staff. Ring people, email people, take a few chances and use your initiative. If you send, say, 50 emails out to companies you might like to work for - even if they aren't advertising - you never know your luck do you? At best, they'll have your name and CV on file should they start looking for someone new in the near future - and your initiative and confidence to introduce yourself will stand you in jolly good stead. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> At the end of the day it's the law of averages. Apply for more jobs, and your chances of getting one are going to be higher. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I actually scheduled a meeting with a company who weren't even hiring just to introduce myself and get on their radar. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> You never know where things are going to lead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>12. Include your blog on your CV.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">OK - so this won't be relevant to everybody but I did find that having my blog helped me to stand out against other graduates when applying for jobs and it certainly helped me get my current one. Bare in mind I'm in the creative industry so things like photography, web layout and branding, as well as 'creative' writing, social media communications, PR and general hobbies are often of an interest to companies within this field. On the whole, it just shows you can be dedicated to something and that you use your spare time creatively and positively (and don't spend the entire time down t' pub...) If you're serious about your blog and it's a personal success for you, don't hide it! It won't get you the job but it will certainly help you to stand out against the competition. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>13. It's not what you know it's who you know</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh how true this is. I got a good bit of help/advice from my university tutor and I've kept in touch with them since graduating - it's always good to stay in contact with people who've helped you along the way. If something comes up and they get to know about it - they might give you a heads up. Past graduates are also good to keep in touch with - I stayed good friends with a couple of people who had graduated a year or so before I did and I often dropped them an email or text for some advice on things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there we have it, just a few little tips and advice for when it comes to finding work after you finish your degree - I'm aware that some of these points are probably more relevant to my field of work but I'm pretty sure it's a similar story for most. Trust me when I say I know <i>exactly</i> how you're feeling if you're still struggling to find work but I promise that you'll get there in the end if you persevere... Please don't give up. Just know that the situation you're in will not be forever. Things have a habit of working themselves out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you got any tips for finding a job after finishing university? How long did it take you to find work after you finished your degree?</b></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-53179926793859694982015-03-25T19:00:00.001+00:002015-03-25T22:17:02.730+00:00Beauty Haul | Mac, Zoeva, Stila & Pixi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt_Sh0ydxqBbcI7OI1wAVoKKvyFjvTHZWTG6WMyHBPErxmy-ACcUrd5CI9FQPeouCroWw9B17O7ZQe2LoWQLWuVenXOopLNIhUoU9pSougd42G4h0L26CfzNTDtahM3-rjQxNZrd_nTY/s1600/DSC08878e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt_Sh0ydxqBbcI7OI1wAVoKKvyFjvTHZWTG6WMyHBPErxmy-ACcUrd5CI9FQPeouCroWw9B17O7ZQe2LoWQLWuVenXOopLNIhUoU9pSougd42G4h0L26CfzNTDtahM3-rjQxNZrd_nTY/s1600/DSC08878e2.jpg" height="442" width="665" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's been ages since I posted a beauty haul over on the bloggles. I must admit I've been quite controlled with the ol' purse strings over the past few months even though I'm waaayy overdue a little splurge, but I still seem to have accumulated a few bits and bobs (I'm a beauty addict after all). On a recent weekend away in Liverpool/Chester, me and the boy ended up having a mooch around the Cheshire Oaks shopping outlet. I'm not sure if any of you have ever been (really recommend!) but I was very much a fat kid in a sweet shop around the beauty store they have there. They had lots of discounted beauty goodies including the likes of Mac, Bobbi Brown and Smashbox to name a few - and I have to say I really did have to restrain myself. I think i deserve a pat on the back as I only walked away with a couple of Mac bits but let's just say - if I hadn't have had a little inward chat with myself about my bank balance, the results could have been disastrous! Anyway, here's some of the newest additions to my makeup stash this month...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd3tzFTG7pXfnEtaXVGfGxy_tYOI5cqPXJIh8PfRdp-bQYvlSdcgYiHs7FaP5cIYWRYKDplVD5YSlOhRuvaGEe5TchOz2YrMQL7634dOSEgDGP1C8qmpv90K-kl_R10Ual7ahnVeFLQc/s1600/DSC08858e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd3tzFTG7pXfnEtaXVGfGxy_tYOI5cqPXJIh8PfRdp-bQYvlSdcgYiHs7FaP5cIYWRYKDplVD5YSlOhRuvaGEe5TchOz2YrMQL7634dOSEgDGP1C8qmpv90K-kl_R10Ual7ahnVeFLQc/s1600/DSC08858e2.jpg" height="378" width="665" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mac // Pro Powder Blush Pan in "Taupe' // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/156/926/Products/Face/Cheek/Powder-Blush-Pro-Palette-Refill-Pan/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm swiftly running out of my beloved Illamasqua Contour palette and have been after a similar shade of blush for a while now. I saw Mac's Taupe and knew it would be the perfect replacement. Again, I picked this up cheaper than the £15.00 it costs normally so it was a complete bargain! It's a gorgeous contour colour which is just perfect for carving out those cheekbones and I know I'll get a tonne of use from it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac // Eyeshadow in 'Woodwinked' //<a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/products/spp/shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CAT154&PRODUCT_ID=PROD363&SKU_ID=SKU4265"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why on earth I haven't owned this shade before now I will never know - but Woodwinked is such a cult beauty blogger favourite and I'm chuffed to bits to finally have it in my collection. I bought this to create a brown smokey eye look with on a recent evening out in Liverpool and it's <i>so</i> perfect. It's a lovely antique gold sort of shade which brings so much definition to the eye area.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac // Pro Longwear Paint Pot in 'Groundwork' // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/154/1573/Products/Eyes/Shadow/Pro-Longwear-Paint-Pot/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I got this for £10 instead of the usual £15.50 at Cheshire Oaks. I have to say it's never really been a main item on my wish list but after a quick swatch, I knew I had to have it in my life. It's a gorgeous neutral beige/taupe colour with just a hint of sheen and is the perfect shade for everyday wear. I've used this non-stop since I got it and I can just tell I'm going to get a tonne of wear from it. It's so versatile too as it can be worn completely on its own or as a base for a smokey eye or to keep powder shadows locked in place for longer - which is exactly why I love the Mac paint pots, they're so long-lasting! It's great to use on days I'm at work as it's so quick and easy to apply - I don't even need a brush as all it takes is a quick smudge/blend motion across the eyelid and I'm sorted for the whole day. Love it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL3Fo-63LpOvfAMscvdNzhADQJWpbNhCS_re444hMWmOz_AgQoBu4-lMnEhFCB2Zr2Zb6g3IjMrEwxZi-o2T8Z6kSShTa7pFR8ktfhXqax6F-O263H8omiTHdGNndkPlNTxl6UB9Pk3c/s1600/DSC08831e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiL3Fo-63LpOvfAMscvdNzhADQJWpbNhCS_re444hMWmOz_AgQoBu4-lMnEhFCB2Zr2Zb6g3IjMrEwxZi-o2T8Z6kSShTa7pFR8ktfhXqax6F-O263H8omiTHdGNndkPlNTxl6UB9Pk3c/s1600/DSC08831e2.jpg" height="436" width="665" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Zoeva // Luxe Petit Crease Brush // <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/accessories/zoeva/231luxepetitcreasebrush?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=ZOEV0034F&ctyid=gb&mkwid=PtxSAhHU_dc&pcrid=61879692015&gclid=CjwKEAjwrbSoBRDok47Sv6Ci80wSJABFUszTicwhmJ2gfCMBo1hXaP2VS-s02OBWcRJFA-9iGv2_xhoC3UPw_wcB">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've had my eye on this brush for ages now. It's perfect for creating precise definition in the crease of the eye and it blends eyeshadow like a dream. It's so soft and easy to use. The Zoeva brushes have received quite a lot of praise for a while now and I can totally see why - I really can't wait to purchase a set of them! I love the fact that each individual brush you buy comes in a little pouch too - so handy if you're taking them away with you on holiday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stila Smudge Sticks in 'Stringray' & 'Lionfish' // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Stila-Smudge-Stick-Waterproof-Eye-Liner-0.28g">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After my smudge stick in 'Damsel' finally died a death, I set about finding a replacement as I simply cannot live without it. It's more or less impossible to find the shade in the UK unless you purchase the 'In the Light' palette which is how i discovered it in the first place. 'Lionfish' seemed the closest match - a lovely dark brown with a hint of gold sheen running through it. Usually I prefer a matte finish to my liners but to be honest, you can hardly see the shimmer in it once applied so it works really well for me and I'm totally in love with it. I also picked up 'Stringray' - the matte black shade - as I'm partial to a black liner when I'm going for the smokey eye look. I really do love the Stila smudge sticks - if you're after an eyeliner which doesn't fade, bleed or make you resemble a panda at the end of a long day then I really recommend giving them a whirl.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pixi // Endless Silky Eye Pen in 'Black Cocoa' // <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/pixi/en">Link</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like i said previously, I've been on the hunt for a replacement for Stila's Smudge Stick in 'Damsel'. Pixi is by far the closest match I've found - it's a beautiful deep brown/black shade. I love shades like these for the daytime as it's just slightly less harsh than black and seems to work better with my skin tone. It's the first time I've tried these Pixi liners and I have to say I'm completely hooked! They're so incredibly soft and smooth to apply - super pigmented and really long-lasting. They resist smudging really well too. Worth every penny - I'll definitely repurchase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Swatches L-R</b> // Mac Groundwork // Mac Taupe Blush // Mac Woodwinked // Stila 'Lionfish' // Stila 'Stingray' // Pixi 'Black Cocoa'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there we have it - just a few little treats I've picked up this month. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best purchase by far has to be Mac's 'Groundwork' - it's one of those products that doesn't look much in the pan but once you have it, you question how you ever lived without it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried and loved any of these products?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-69004611737769978962015-03-22T19:00:00.001+00:002015-03-22T19:00:00.187+00:00Topshop Makeup at Feel Unique | A Few New Favourites...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've always been fond of Topshop Makeup. I reckon part of it is down to their quirky, monochrome packaging (such a design geek) but I've definitely found a few gems since they launched their cosmetics a few years back now - I really do think they hit the nail on the head when it comes to affordable, unique and on-trend makeup. They're constantly updating their range and whenever I'm in town I always pop in to have a little nosey as to what's new. However, as I no longer work in the town centre, I don't get as many chances to pop in for a browse. This is why I was a very very happy bunny to discover that the Topshop Makeup range is now stocked on FeelUnique - as I don't get as many chances to shop in town anymore, it's very handy for me to be able to stock up my beauty bits online! I was lucky enough to get my mitts on some of their new additions just recently and I have to say, I've found a couple of new favourites... Without further ado, I'll give you the low-down on some of the latest Toppyshoppy offerings...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Topshop Beauty | The Concealer Palette | £12.00* | <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Topshop-Beauty-The-Concealer-Palette-8g">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love concealer palettes like this. I find them very handy to pop into my handbag or to take away with me thanks to the variety of shades all in one place, but I rarely find one that ticks all my boxes - good quality packaging, a creamy consistency with a good bit of staying power and a good mix of shades for different purposes. I've tried my fair share (Soap & Glory, Elf and Makeup Altier Paris to name a few) but Topshop's version has to be my favourite - <i>hands down</i>. The palette contains 3 shades of creamy concealers as well as a handy setting powder and mirror all contained in a nicely designed, slim case. The concealers are all super creamy and provide <i>such</i> good coverage. The middle shade is absolutely perfect for covering dark circles of a morning - the peachy undertone helps to cancel out dull tones and the thick yet smooth consistency means that it stays put on the skin, instantly covering imperfections and blending into the skin with ease. I sometimes find that thicker concealers can be too cakey and slightly drying but Topshop really have got the texture just right. My main concern has always been dark circles and this palette really does blow the others i've tried out of the water in that respect. I think they work best applied with fingers and dabbed onto the skin - the warmth from your fingertips helps to blend out the product and makes for a more seamless application. My only quibble is that I seemed to have hit pan rather quickly - but then again I may have been over-applying at the beginning whist I was getting used to the consistency. Overall though - if you're after a good quality concealer palette which will help camouflage dark circles, discolouration and imperfections then I really do recommend this. I'll definitely be grabbing another one of these!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Topshop Beauty | Cheek Jelly in 'Sibling' | £7.00* | <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Topshop-Beauty-Cheek-Jelly-4g">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The concept of a cheek jelly really intrigued me as it's something I've never really used before. I do love a cream blush but this product just offers something a little different - it's like a stain but in a more subtle, sheer and blendable form akin to that of a lip stain in a pot. I have the shade 'Sibling', and although it looks rather terrifying in the pot, it's much more wearable when swatched. I've tried this on a couple of occasions now and I'm not sure I'm entirely sold on it just yet. I'm not sure whether or not it's just the shade that doesn't quite work for me but I much prefer a standard cream blush. I've actually started using it as a lip stain just patted on throughout the day for a 'just bitten' look - I can't deny the fact that it's a fun and versatile product but I think i'll take a little more convincing with this one. I can see these being a winner through summer when I want something very lightweight and sheer to wear on hot days so for now I shall reserve judgement...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Topshop Beauty | Lip Polish in 'Gallery' | £8.00* | <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Topshop-Beauty-Lip-Polish-2g">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I absolutely adore this colour. I feel as if I've got to start weening myself off the vampy reds now that spring is coming around the corner, but I refuse to put them down just yet. Especially now that this little beauty has landed in my collection! 'Gallery' is a beautiful deep burgundy shade with a gothic edge. Topshop's lip products have always impressed me anyway but I really have enjoyed their 'lip polish' formula. It has a buildable, slightly glossy finish which provides amazing pigmentation along with a gel-like texture that simply glides onto the lips. It feels so moisturising and smooth to apply. Once swatched, the colour isn't as dark as it appears in the bullet but oh-my-goodness - it's gorgeous! Its like a slightly glossier, less full-on version of my beloved Mac Dark Side lipstick. You<i> do</i> need to use a lip liner with it as the colour can bleed slightly through the day, but once the colour is on it's so long lasting and even if I don't top up through the day, it's still visible after I've finished work. I have to say this has been another winning discovery for me and I really can't wait to stock up on some summery shades.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Swatches L-R </b>| Concealer Shades - Palette | Cheeky Jelly 'Sibling' | Lip Polish 'Gallery'</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, a fab selection of products from the Topshop range. I reckon I'll be stocking up on some more bits as soon as pay-day rolls around - I'm dying to try some of their highlighters and a few of their lip crayons so keep your eyes peeled for some more things popping up on my blog very soon! Do leave me your recommendations as I really do seem to have fallen back in love with the brand just recently. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> You can find a wide range of Topshop Makeup on </span><b><a href="http://www.feelunique.com/brands/topshop-beauty">FeelUnique.com</a></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What's your favourite product from the Topshop Makeup range? I'd love to hear your thoughts!</span></b></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-61308331616724292722015-03-18T19:00:00.002+00:002015-03-25T20:57:46.522+00:00Bourjois Colour Boost Lip Crayons | New Spring Shades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm a big fan of lip crayons. They're perfect to throw into your handbag for on the go and I often have one sitting on my desk at work as they're so easy and fuss-free to use - no mirror required. Personally, I prefer ones that have a slight glossy finish or moisturising quality to them as opposed to a matte, fully opaque coverage, but finding one with a good bit of lasting power as well as a consistency that is comfortable on the lips can often prove a bit of a challenge. I was so excited to try Bourjois' new additions to their 'Colour Boost' range - I'd never actually tried any of their crayons despite them being largely raved about last summer and it was about time I found out what all the hype was about. Promising 10 hour hydration as well as radiant, glossy colour and a 'bare lip' sensation, these crayons sounded like they'd be just my cup of tea...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Firstly, the three new shades are just perfect for the time of year as we're transitioning into Spring/Summer - 'Proudly Naked', a subtle, neutral pink/nude, 'Sweet Macchiato' a warm berry/rosewood sort of colour and 'Pinking of it' - a bright, fresh fuchsia. My favourite has to be 'Sweet Macchiato' - it's a stunning brick red/berry shade which gives a nod to a statement lip without being too over the top. I've been after a colour like this for absolutely <i>ages</i> - it's been my go-to shade for work just recently and it definitely has that on-trend '90s' vibe going on due to the slight brown undertone it has. It makes a nice alternative to your average berry reds. 'Proudly Naked' is also a winner for me - it reminds me of Mac's 'Creme Cup' and is so easy to wear. It's the perfect everyday shade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The colour is surprisingly long lasting despite the glossy finish. I drink copious amounts of tea at my desk and the colour is still left on my lips even after a couple of mugs throughout the morning - it appears as more of a stain as opposed to a full on glossy look after a couple of hours but the colour really does stick around. I really like the fact that these crayons don't compromise on colour pay-off despite their more moisturising formula.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Swatches L-R </b>// 07 - Proudly Naked // 08 - Sweet Macchiato // 09 - Pinking of it</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, I have to say I've been completely sold on these Bourjois crayons. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I can really see why these beauties received so much praise when they were first released.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I haven't got the foggiest why on earth I didn't try them sooner and I really can't wait to grab 'Peach on the Beach' (one of last year's shades) in time for Summer. I'm so chuffed that Bourjois have added more shades to the range this season - 'Proudly Naked' and 'Sweet Macchiato' are perfect additions for neutrals fans like myself. The Colour Boost Crayons retail at £7.99* each and are available in 9 different shades. You can find them <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Bourjois-Paris-ColorBoost-Lip-Crayon_1359125/">online here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What are your favourite lip crayons?</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-7954430303968718702015-03-15T19:00:00.000+00:002015-03-15T19:00:02.412+00:00Monthly Favourites | February<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crikey - it feels like forever since I've put together a monthly favourites post and I'm even slightly late on the bandwagon with this one...but better late than never, as they say! Although I've been away from blogging for a little while, I've still been your typical blogger testing and trying everything within reach - you can take the girl away from the blog, but you certainly can't take the blogger out of the girl! I've been in my new job about 2 months now and I've definitely seen a bit of a change in the ol' routine. My focus has mainly been on getting out of the door as quick as possible of a morning so I've been reaching for products which are quick and easy to use. February saw me fall in love with a couple of past favourites and, as usual, I seem to have gone a little bit blush mad! Here's what I've been loving the past month...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac Blush in 'Harmony' // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/macs-harmony-blush-quick-simple.html">Full Post</a> // £18.00 // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/156/329/Products/Face/Cheek/Powder-Blush/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I forgot how much I adore this blush! A cult beauty blogger fave, this colour enhances the cheekbones and helps to sculpt the face in just a quick sweep. Although I'm a big contouring fan, I just haven't got the time of a morning to concentrate on it but this blush makes it so quick and easy to achieve a naturally sculpted look in an instant. I dust the colour onto my cheekbones and up towards my temples and it instantly makes my face look more defined. The matte finish is perfect as it gives a smooth, natural look, and the muted rose tones it has to it means that it provides a slight touch of warmth to the face too. It's somewhat like a hybrid of a blush, bronzer and contour all in one and it's a must-have in my makeup collection. I swear by it! It also featured in my Autumn blush post<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/my-autumnwinter-blush-wardrobe.html"> here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nyx Cream Blush in 'Natural' // £5.50 // <a href="http://www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=140">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ever since I used Benefit's 'Majorette' blush, I've become quite addicted to cream formulas. I love this Nyx offering because it's very creamy and gives the skin a gorgeous, dewy glow. The pink colour is really flattering at this time of year and awakens dull skin - something I've really been struggling with just recently as I've been burning the candle at both ends! It does have a slightly sticky consistency but it works so well and is super easy to blend - I've taken to using it with a stippling brush, applying it over my foundation before setting with powder. It really does last through the day and what's more - I've even taken to dabbing a little bit onto my lips to finish off the look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Benefit Blush in 'Rockateur' // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/autumn-cheeks-benefit-rockateur-blush.html">Full Post</a> // £23.50* // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Benefit-Rockateur-Face-Powder-5g?utm_source=GoogleBaseUK&utm_medium=gen&option=42375&aff=mrn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+-+Benefit&mkwid=jTLmLakq_dc&pcrid=51359778759&gclid=CjwKEAiAg_CnBRDc1N_wuoCiwyESJABpBuMXbqqKcSSQfmT18KZ-2sJSPQE338Nacv5uKFTUMUKM7xoCKrTw_wcB">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've already spoken about this blush in quite some depth on my blog - I have a full review and it also featured in my Autumn Blush feature <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/my-autumnwinter-blush-wardrobe.html">here</a>. I've been layering this on top of the Nyx cream blush in order to get a longer-lasting colour and the two work so well together. It brightens up the face thanks to the subtle shimmer and instantly makes you appear much more fresh faced and healthy. I'd class it as a seashell pink sort of shade - it's a beauty!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow in 'Toast' // £17.50 // <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123555005099?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6056611&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=6056611&gclid=CjwKEAiAg_CnBRDc1N_wuoCiwyESJABpBuMXWoRDCb_NoJcPGvj6Z8x3nwpic75XArfCLtFQDyIPxRoC0Lzw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A new favourite of mine, this eyeshadow is perfect for using in the crease or for blending out darker shadows. It provides the perfect base for a smokey eye and is also the perfect daytime colour when worn on it's own. I'll often wear this for work blended through the crease with a touch of highlight in the inner corner and I'm sorted for the day. It brings a touch of warmth to the eye area and also looks beautiful when blended into a mid-brown shade - it's so versatile. I have a full review coming soon so I won't say too much, but i really do love this shadow - Bobbi Brown has really impressed me with this one! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ted Baker Makeup Bag // <a href="http://www.asos.com/Ted-Baker/Ted-Baker-Slim-Bow-Make-Up-Bag/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4845721&istCompanyId=6f061ed0-7427-4b6c-bb90-987c0bd08468&istItemId=prrtimirp&istBid=tztx&affid=14173&channelref=google+shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=115626003381&utm_content=&utm_campaign=&cvosrc=ppc.google.115626003381&network=g&mobile=&search=1&content=&creative=50525913741&ptid=115626003381&adposition=1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiAg_CnBRDc1N_wuoCiwyESJABpBuMXpHCrELfJ8nQ5RmCBFpgm6CTRvyiPDRumrIID8M46khoCF8vw_wcB">Similar Here</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This baby pink and a rose gold Ted Baker Makeup Bag has been a firm favourite of mine the past couple of months. I adore Ted Baker goodies and I was lucky enough to be gifted this for Christmas after spying it in House of Fraser. As I've been away from home quite a bit recently, it's come in so handy for keeping my essentials all together. It's big enough to contain everything I'll need but small enough that it doesn't take over my handbag or suitcase. It's so easy to wipe clean if I get any mucky finger prints over it and it still looks as good as new despite the fact I've used it so much. The rose gold bow is so adorable and I <i>love</i> the milky pink shade - its so girly and it's always a nice one to pull out of your handbag when you're in need of a touch-up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Benefit // Lolli Tint //<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/benefits-new-release-lolli-tint.html"> Full Review</a> // £24.50* // <a href="http://www.asos.com/Benefit/Benefit-Lollitint/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3830184&istCompanyId=6f061ed0-7427-4b6c-bb90-987c0bd08468&istItemId=xaiimmatp&istBid=tztx&affid=14173&channelref=google+shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=35591149016&utm_content=&utm_campaign=&cvosrc=ppc.google.35591149016&network=g&mobile=&search=1&content=&creative=50526361821&ptid=35591149016&adposition=1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiAg_CnBRDc1N_wuoCiwyESJABpBuMX88R_U29j1dD9TwXDE1-Hr2tb8RVtzQt0zvDijkwFTBoCd3Xw_wcB">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm constantly on the lookout for products which will last me throughout my day at work without the need for touch-ups. Lolli-tint has become quite the 'go to' the past couple of months. It's a gorgeous lilac-pink shade which looks a bit scary when swatched but sheers out to a gorgeous petal-pink flush. I've been using it with a stippling brush and applying it onto my cheeks, but I've mostly been enjoying it as a lip stain. It really does last all day and any touch-ups I need are always very minimal. I'm really wanting to get 'Lolli Balm' to go alongside it as I do find my lips can get a bit dry when I've applied this, but it's such a good layering product if you want to apply a gloss or lipstick on top. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Barry M Nail Paint in 'Red-Black' // £2.99 // <a href="http://www.superdrug.com/Barry-M/Barry-M-Nail-Paint-Red-Black/p/565168#.VPxdTUva6qQ">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, we might be well on our way to spring but I'm still addicted to vampy shades when it comes to nails at the moment. I've had so many compliments on this shade just recently - it's a gorgeous deep burgundy. You can't go far wrong with Barry M nail paints in my opinion! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Oriflame // E-Collagen Eye Cream // £10.95 //<a href="http://gb.oriflame.com/products/product-detail.jhtml?prodCode=26687"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I received this product in a beauty box quite some time ago and I've really enjoyed using it. It's targeted towards wrinkles and smoothing out the eye area - not something I would have opted for had I chosen it myself but I heard that starting out in your 20's is the way forward?! I just find it really moisturising and refreshing to apply thanks to the cooling roller-ball application and it's so nice to apply of a morning. It gives my under-eyes a dose of moisture at the same time as helping me to feel more awake and bright-eyed. Dark circles have always been the main issue for me and although i haven't noticed a great deal of difference just yet, it certainly does help to awaken the eye area of a morning as well as prepping my skin nicely for a touch of makeup. It's so gentle and soothing and it's one of the nicest eye creams I've tried so far.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3j6XEKvpWynwhHBMiqAHI-OyA0NNTKAI4mQxmzlAhfF6eVKKkW0LlMMdTAuq5OivzmOJwyYoP1pt3Ws52HnX2qU3N4rmJMuxyeCB89IsIrcgaVrCLT_vjgTYJ4CopEDaX2mzsv0wqo/s1600/DSC08765e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigK3j6XEKvpWynwhHBMiqAHI-OyA0NNTKAI4mQxmzlAhfF6eVKKkW0LlMMdTAuq5OivzmOJwyYoP1pt3Ws52HnX2qU3N4rmJMuxyeCB89IsIrcgaVrCLT_vjgTYJ4CopEDaX2mzsv0wqo/s1600/DSC08765e.jpg" height="436" width="665" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Swatches L-R /</b>/ Benefit 'Rockateur' // Nyx 'Natural' // Mac 'Harmony' // Bobbi Brown 'Toast' // Benefit 'Lolli Tint'</span><br />
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<b>Have you tried and loved any of these products featured too? </b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-9538016423704567042015-03-11T19:00:00.000+00:002015-03-11T19:00:06.022+00:00Bobbi Brown | Brightening Finishing Powder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first heard of Bobbi Brown's Brightening Finishing Powder, I was intrigued to say the least. It sounded like my perfect product - I much prefer a subtle, healthy glow as opposed to an obvious highlight, so a product that promises an natural, all-over brightening effect quite tickled my fancy. Said to instantly illuminate the skin with a healthy looking glow, this powder is infused with a skin brightening blend of Mulberry and Grape extracts to keep skin fresh and smooth looking. It won the award for 'Best Finishing Powder' in the Elle UK Beauty awards in 2012 and has been highly rated and reviewed online. It's safe to say I couldn't wait to get my mitts on this beauty... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Firstly, I have to say that there's no doubt that Bobbi Brown gets packaging spot on the mark - I fell instantly in love. In a sleek, mirrored compact encased in a luxurious, black pouch and white box, the finishing powder is really quite something. The product itself feels luxurious and weighty, and the mirrored finish is so pretty. The powder itself is simply stunning in the pan - containing a mix of 6 different shades which, when blended all together, work towards brightening and correcting the tone of the skin. I have the shade 'Brightening Nudes', which consists of a mix of lilac, brown and neutral shades perfect for pale to medium skin tones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The powder is finely milled and super soft to the touch, making it amazingly blendable and smooth to apply - there's no denying it's an amazing powder when it comes to texture - your skin is left feeling baby soft after a couple of sweeps. One thing I noticed when it came to application was the shimmery finish the product has. As much as I do like a slight sheen, I was slightly worried about whether or not this product would be far to glittery for me. As a powder that can be used all over the face, you'd expect something with a light sheen as opposed to a full-on glittery appearance. I reserved my judgement at first, thinking that once I'd swept the top layer off, the underneath wouldn't be quite so full-on in the glitter stakes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The colour itself is very subtle and pretty - it gives a soft-focus sort of finish to the face and provides a natural 'lit from within' effect. But (and I'm afraid there is a but) I find the glitter ruins it for me. I really wish it didn't contain as much as I think the pigments in the powder give a nice finish on their own - I personally don't think the extra shimmer is needed. I simply couldn't get away with this product in natural daylight as I find it a little too obvious for my liking - in bright lighting, you can see the individual flecks of shimmer on the skin. There's no denying that the lilac/mauve hues work really well on my skin tone and they <i>do</i> give a nice finish to the skin, but if I wanted an obvious highlight or a bit of shimmer, I'd have been better off opting for one of the infamous Shimmer Bricks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I just didn't expect it to contain as many flecks of shimmer for a product that's supposed to be used all over the face and I know i'd have loved it more had it not contained so much. Believe me, I really, <i>really </i>wanted to fall head over heels in love with this but I'm still trying to fathom it out. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It sort of works as a highlighter along the tops of the cheekbones but as an all-over brightening powder, it just doesn't quite hit the mark for me. It's such a shame as I think the concept is fantastic and it's something I really would have gotten so much use out of as I have nothing like this in my collection. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've since read a few reviews and it does seem that a lot of people love this product - so maybe I just need to apply it in a different way? Is there some sort of knack to this?! I reckon I'll persevere with it as there's no doubt it's a beautiful product, but for now - I'm not sure it's for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The swatches above show each individual shade along with the combined effect on the far right. It's nice that you're able to use each shade individually which makes the product slightly more versatile - the pale pearl-white shade would make a nice little highlighter and I'm drawn to the lovely pink colour in the pan too. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, although there's no denying this is an absolutely stunning product, I'm not sure that it's going to become a firm favourite of mine. Like I said, I'm going to keep trying with it - I think it might be a nice one to dust over the decolletage area when I have a bit of a tan going on! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have to say I think I would have gotten along much better with the 'Porcelain Pearl' version</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (seen </span><a href="http://www.harrods.com/product/brightening-finishing-powder/bobbi-brown/b12-0804-228-BB-446" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">) - which contains a mix of colour correcting tones to combat dullness and, from a little bit of googling, seems to contain less shimmer. For £40.00*, it's well worth doing your research before you invest - I can see it being very hit and miss. You can buy Bobbi Brown makeup from </span><a href="http://www.harrods.com/brand/bobbi-brown/makeup?viewall=yes" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Harrods.com here</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, where you'll find the range of Brightening Powders in a number of different shades. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Brightening Powder? What did you think?</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-84225784199974015472015-03-08T19:00:00.000+00:002015-03-08T19:00:05.049+00:00Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan & 'Lovely Legs' Bronze Spray<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We've all been there. You find yourself invited to a spontaneous night out or event and mild panic sets in when you realise that you haven't fake tanned. No instagram filter is going to disguise your milky pins and you have less than 24 hours to sort it out. It's happened to me many a time let me tell you - which is why I always like to have some form of 'quick fix' tan always at the ready in my bathroom cabinet. As much as I love being bronzed, I really do hate the whole process of fake tanning and if there's anything I can do to shorten it, I will. When a great number of fake tans take up to 8 hours to develop, it really can become a bit of a chore and there's been many a time I've found myself planning my day around it before a night out which is ever so slightly ridiculous! The only time I really have to fake tan is after work - so something super quick, easy and fuss-free is a must for me - as well as a product which offers the same colour pay off as any normal fake tan would. Enter Cocoa Brown's One Hour Tan... a product which promises beautifully bronzed and radiant skin in just one hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cocoa Brown | 1 Hour Tan | £6.99* | <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Cocoa-Brown-One-Hour-Tan-Mousse-150ml">Link</a></b> This product has gained cult beauty status since it was launched as well as winning a number of industry awards - I've read<i> so </i>many good reviews and features and really couldn't wait to try it. I hold my hands up and admit I was very sceptical to begin with - there's no way a one-hour fake tan could offer me the same results as an 8-hour developer, could it? I have to say I was so impressed when I first tried this tan. Not only does it give such a natural, bronzed glow to the skin, it applies so smoothly and evenly - it's effortless. The mousse is really creamy and feels luxurious and almost moisturising to apply, giving a flawless finish from head to toe. The scent is really unique too - there's no whiff of fake tan whatsoever thanks to the delicate floral hint. Once applied, the mousse sinks in really nicely and doesn't leave a sticky residue, meaning you aren't stood around like a lemon for ages whilst you wait for your tan to dry. After an hour or so, the tan washes off to reveal a lovely, natural glow - not a hint orange in sight - it gives that natural 'caramel' sort of colour which is so flattering on the skin. It's not the darkest colour I've ever achieved but it's such an amazing 'quick fix' and does exactly what I want it to do. I find it to be quite buildable too - so I'll often apply it two nights in a row mid-week and I'm sorted ready for the weekend. It's also a nice product to use if you want to 'top up' a tan you already have. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Cocoa Brown | Lovely Legs Spray | £7.99* | <a href="http://www.superdrug.com/Cocoa-Brown/Cocoa-Brown-Lovely-Legs-Spray-75ml/p/909759#.VPuE3Eva7u0">Link</a> </b>I've only really dabbled in leg makeup sprays once or twice in the past so products like this are fairly new to me. Although I don't think they're a necessity, i do think they make a fabulous addition to your evening out routine or simply used as an alternative to standard 'instant' tans. If you've ever tried Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs then this is very similar. The spray is quite scary when you first apply it as the colour comes out quite strong, but once it's buffed in with a mitt it provides a smooth, even finish with an additional bit of coverage to help smooth and perfect the skin's appearance. I had a small mark that just wouldn't budge on my lower leg for a while (shaving incident - I'm sure you'll all relate...) I used this spray on a couple of occasions and it helped to smooth out the skin-tone on my legs, covering the mark whilst adding a slight bronzed glow. It's not something I'd use all of the time but it's definitely a nice product to have in my stash - it comes in very handy for special occasions when you'll be taking a lot of photographs as it gives such a perfected look to the skin. I'm off for a weekend away with the boy soon and this is most certainly going to go in my suitcase. Used sparingly, it looks really natural and deepens the tan you already have. Paler skins might find it slightly muddy and difficult to work with, but if you've already applied your tan (or if you're a lucky so and so and are sporting a natural one) then it's a nice product to finish off with before a night on the tiles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Overall, I've been really impressed with Cocoa Brown. For less than a tenner, the one-hour tan really is worth having. If, like me, you struggle to find the time to tan it's so super quick to apply after a day at work - all you need to do is hop in the shower before bed and you're sorted - </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">hardly any effort needed! You can find Cocoa Brown range in Superdrug stores <a href="http://www.superdrug.com/search?text=cocoa+brown">here</a>.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-89095837280442553502015-03-02T20:23:00.003+00:002015-03-03T09:32:44.155+00:00Barbara Daly Velvet Touch Bronzer | A New Contouring Favourite <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh hello there! Long time no see. I know everybody rolls their eyes when a blogger apologises for being away for a while but I simply had to address the elephant in the room - because let's face it - it's a big'un! I haven't blogged in over a month now - which, considering i haven't gone as much as a week without it since I began a few years back, is quite a big deal for me (it feels like even longer since my January posts were scheduled since Christmas) I just wasn't feeling entirely chipper about blogging in general and I needed some time away from the interwebs (in all honesty, i still don't feel quite up to spending as much time on Twitter so on a little side note, I do apologise if my feed is in a bit of a 'tumbleweed' state for a while) I also started my new job right at the beginning of January which was a big shake up to the ol' routine - it's going very well and I really do love it, but I must admit I totally underestimated just quite how much it would impact me - a new job is a big thing isn't it? It's taken me a few weeks to settle in and generally just feel a bit more relaxed with my new little venture in life. Couple this with the fact I've recently met a very nice young man (i think somebody needs to re-assess<i> <b><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/15-things-every-girl-whos-tried-online.html">this</a></b></i><b><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/15-things-every-girl-whos-tried-online.html"> </a></b>post) I just felt that I owed it to myself to have some time away to enjoy life without the pressure of keeping up my blogging schedule. It's amazing how much your life can change within a matter of weeks. I can honestly say I really do feel the happiest I have done in quite some time and with that, I think it's finally time I got my blogger hat back on. It's been getting rather dusty... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought I'd kick things off with one of my new found favourites - Barbara Daly's Velvet Touch Bronzer in 'Natural Bronze'. If you've been reading my blog for a while then you'll know I'm a complete contouring junkie. I always enjoy experimenting with sculpting products and when I caught a glimpse of this shade, I knew I had to have it in my collection. The shade 'Natural Bronze' leans quite cool - with a slight reddish/brick hue and a subtle greyish undertone. I've recently hit pan on my beloved Benefit 'Hoola' and I have to say, this makes for a fab replacement and I've been reaching for it every day since I bought it. It sculpts the face amazingly well without dulling the complexion thanks to the slight touch of warmth. It really does carve out the shape of the cheekbones and gives incredible dimension to the face. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Velvet Touch bronzer definitely lives up to its name - it's so incredibly easy to blend and<i> so</i> soft to the touch (honestly, I was amazed at how creamy and smooth the texture is) - even the slightest tap of a brush picks up so much pigment. I enjoy using it with a small, soft bristled tapered contouring brush (the RT Contour Brush also works very well with it) - I apply starting at the top of the cheekbones before blending inwards along my natural contour line towards the centre of the face - taking care not to be too heavy handed (you do have to be careful not to pick up too much product). I also dust a little around the sides of my forehead and along my jawline - it creates an instant naturally-sculpted look. The texture of the powder really is perfect - it gives a beautifully soft, airbrushed finish to the skin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The packaging is quite large - although it's a good one for travelling with as it contains a large mirror as well as a small, flat brush contained underneath the pan. Usually, I don't like using the brushes that come in compacts as I find them a bit naff, but this one is perfectly shaped and actually comes in quite handy for on the go. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, this is an amazing bronzer to have in your collection and I'm so glad I stumbled upon it. It's incredibly versatile as it's great for contouring/sculpting but also works well as an all over bronzer (i can imagine it will be amazing in summer!) Because the pan is so large it would also work well for dusting over the décolletage as it's easy enough to pick up enough product. Shade wise - this <i>could</i> look muddy on some skin tones and because it's so pigmented, you do have to be quite careful, but personally - i love it! The pigmentation is incredible and the buttery texture blends like a dream. For the price, it's better than some high-end bronzers I've tried in the past and totally worth every penny. Sadly, I can't find a link online but you can find Barbara Daly products in Tesco stores - priced at £6.00. Bargainous! </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried any Barbara Daly products? I'd love some more recommendations!</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-12856626886066198022015-01-27T18:30:00.000+00:002015-01-27T18:30:01.554+00:00A New Favourite: Zoeva Luxe Colour Blush in 'Shy Beauty'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Zoeva really have taken the bloggosphere by storm this past year. I've had my beady eyes on their stunning brush sets for ages now (haven't we all?!) and I reckon I might be making a purchase as soon as pay-day rolls around, but to keep me going until then, I decided to treat myself to one of their Luxe Colour blushes. As a bit of a blush addict, I really couldn't resist - the sleek black packaging and gorgeous colour selection had me all of a flutter and after much debate, I finally settled on 'Shy Beauty' - a light peachy coral. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Described on the website as a 'universal light peach brown with an ethereal matte finish', Shy Beauty is a fabulous all-rounder set to suit the majority of skin tones. I have to say this has fast become one of my favourite blushes - I just adore everything about it. The powder itself is velvety soft to the touch, incredibly smooth and super pigmented. Enriched with Apricot oil and vitamin E to nourish and soothe the skin, the blush is an absolute dream to apply and gives the most beautiful airbrushed finish to the cheeks. It blends easily, and the 'fade proof' formula ensures a long-lasting finish - just a quick sweep of a brush is all you need to last you all day. The matte finish gives such a flawless appearance yet doesn't dull or flatten the skin - the colour really does define the cheeks and gives that 'lit from within' sort of look.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the peachy pastel colour - it's right up my street and actually not too dissimilar to Illamasqua's 'Lover' blush which happens to be one of my all time favourites (f<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/monthly-favourites-december.html">eatured here)</a>. I find Zoeva's slightly more wearable at the moment as it's just a touch more subtle and the undertones compliment my winter skin. It instantly awakens the complexion and i always look so much more fresh and healthy when I apply it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Needless to say, I'm completely blown away by the quality of this blush. I cannot wait to add more to my collection and I'll certainly be doing so in the next few weeks - there's a beautiful range of shades! Some of the more brighter, vibrant shades will be perfect for the summer months and I currently have my eye on 'Gentle Touch' - a light pastel pink. Priced at <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/zoeva/luxecolorblush?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=ZOEV0080F&ctyid=gb&mkwid=33Zh33bR_dc&pcrid=54143611335&gclid=Cj0KEQiA_ZOlBRD64c7-gOzvrP0BEiQAAYBnd_KlpbUcW55tszUjK8KQvs32E9fpOCdtoBhJyR7GJ50aAoD08P8HAQ">£6.95, Zoeva Luxe Colour Blushes</a> can be found on the<a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/zoeva/luxecolorblush?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=ZOEV0080F&ctyid=gb&mkwid=33Zh33bR_dc&pcrid=54143611335&gclid=Cj0KEQiA_ZOlBRD64c7-gOzvrP0BEiQAAYBnd_KlpbUcW55tszUjK8KQvs32E9fpOCdtoBhJyR7GJ50aAoD08P8HAQ"> BeautyBay website here</a> and also on the<a href="https://www.zoeva-shop.de/en/face/cheek/luxe-color-blush/"> Zoeva website here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried anything from Zoeva? What would you recommend?</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-7213480662451182082015-01-25T18:30:00.001+00:002015-02-09T15:15:15.467+00:00Neal & Wolf | 'AURA' Hair & Body Fragrance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When it comes to haircare, Neal & Wolf have to be one of my favourite brands. I fell in love as soon as I first tried their <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/haircare/nealwolf/harmonyintensivecaretreatment?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=NEWO0003H&ctyid=gb&mkwid=iqC3DOuu_dc&pcrid=51605508615&gclid=Cj0KEQiA_ZOlBRD64c7-gOzvrP0BEiQAAYBnd0BTPmPzhxOEKvNYhH0OedbtjkbSkfiyK3noLYQiP_caAh5M8P8HAQ">'Harmony Intensive Conditioning Treatment'</a> a while back now and I use their <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/haircare/nealwolf/guardheatprotection?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=NEWO0007H&ctyid=gb&mkwid=iqC3DOuu_dc&pcrid=51605508615&gclid=Cj0KEQiA_ZOlBRD64c7-gOzvrP0BEiQAAYBnd1MOJgBNDPvwFDm4zbLo_RZ1-xkSlGPqIiaTPqex92IaAkJs8P8HAQ">Heat Guard spray </a>on a daily basis. My hair has never felt so soft after styling! As much as I love their products and think they work a treat, one thing I do enjoy is the 'Neal & Wolf' scent. It really is so unique and my hair is always left smelling salon fresh and totally gorgeous after I've used their products. Seriously - it's just divine! I've had a fair few people comment on it actually and I often wished they would create a hair perfume of some sort so I could keep the scent going for longer. Well, the hair-care fairies certainly answered my prayers when I heard that Neal & Wolf had released their <a href="http://www.nealandwolf.com/shop/aura-hair-body-fragrance">'Aura Hair and Body Fragrance'*</a> - I was a happy girl indeed. Their fragrance is very much a signature scent and I know that so many people adore it - me included. I couldn't wait to get my mitts on it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Packaged in a sleek box, the Aura fragrance is presented in a gorgeous glass bottle - it all feels very luxury. The scent itself is very musky and identical to the smell of Neal & Wolf's other products. If you aren't familiar with it, it's described as being a 'blend of delicate blossom, white thyme and saffron combined with lily, ylang ylang and vanilla' - a truly beautiful blend which smells so sophisticated and luxurious. It's not incredibly long lasting (around the 5 hour mark I'd say) but if you're a fellow Neal & Wolf fan like myself and you 'layer' it up with their other haircare products - the scent is somewhat intensified and lasts much longer. Like i said, I use their Heat Guard spray on a daily basis so my hair tends to smell very much like it to begin with - if i use the shampoo and conditioner to go with it then the scent lasts even longer. The perfume doesn't effect the condition or texture of the hair and doesn't dry it out - my hair feels perfectly soft even after a few sprays. What's more, it also doubles up as a body spray - I always spray a little around my neck/décolletage area to finish off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, an amazing product from Neal & Wolf. If you're a fan of their products and adore the unique scent like I do, I guarantee you'll love this perfume. It's become quite the must-have for me. It retails at £20.95* - so it's a little indulgence but well worth it considering you don't need to use much at all. You can find out more about it on the <a href="http://www.nealandwolf.com/shop/aura-hair-body-fragrance">Neal & Wolf website here</a> - keep your eyes peeled for this one! It's sure to be a winner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Do you love Neal & Wolf as much as me? What's your favourite product?</b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-61247923816357750682015-01-21T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-21T19:13:36.373+00:002015 Beauty Wishlist<div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 665px;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't often post wish lists on my blog but as I've recently started my new job, it's got me thinking about all the beauty bits and bobs I've been wanting to try for a while and it seemed like the perfect excuse to put one together - who isn't partial to a pay-day treat or 3?! I've resisted very well the past year (*pat on the back*) but I do think it's about time I treated myself. I certainly won't be buying my entire wish list (that would be rather extravagant) but I'll certainly be taking my pick amongst these gorgeous goodies that happen to be on my ever expanding beauty wish list. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I thought I'd share with you a few things I've had my eyes on... Sharing is caring after all!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charlotte Tilbury // Filmstar Bronze & Glow // £49.00 // <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/filmstar-bronze-and-glow.html">Link</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know I'm a complete contouring addict. It's just something I enjoy experimenting with and this compact is right up my street. The shades look so delicate and natural, and the luxurious packaging sends me all of a flutter... *swoooon*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Hourglass // Ambient Lighting Palette // £56.00 // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/ambient-lighting-palette/MUK200012914.html">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A girl can dream, right? I don't know if i could ever justify the price tag for this as admittedly, I'm not the biggest highlight junkie and I stick to what I know - but either way, Hourglass as a brand has really grabbed my attention and I'd quite like to try something from them. This is without a doubt an absolutely stunning palette. I'd love to try one of their blushes or a singular compact maybe but there's something about the trio of shades that really does tickle my fancy...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Tarte // The Sculptor // $24.00 // <a href="http://www.sephora.com/the-sculptor-contouring-face-slenderizer-P385762">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm gutted that this product isn't easily available in the UK, but I think it's a really great concept. This contouring crayon is perfect for controlled sculpting of the face and is said to be great for areas like the nose and chin. I<i> need</i> it in my life. As a fan of the Nars Matte multiples, this seems like a fabulous option for a slightly more controlled application. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Estee Lauder // Double Wear Lip Liner // £15.30 // <a href="http://I love these lip liners. I used to have the shade 'Spice' and I'd love to re-purchase it this year as I really do miss it. I have to say it was probably one of the most long-lasting liners I've ever used and they're so creamy and smooth to apply. I'm tempted to grab a mauve sort of shade too. Boots Advantage Card points?! Prepare to be spent!">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I <i>adore</i> these lip liners. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">I used to have the shade 'Spice' and I'd love to re-purchase it this year as I really do miss having it (a perfect K-Jenner shade if you're interested, by the way!). I have to say it was probably one of the most long-lasting liners I've ever used and the fact they're so creamy and smooth to apply made them all the more dreamy. I'm tempted to grab a mauve sort of shade too. Boots Advantage Card points?! <i>Prepare to be spent!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Giorgio Armani // Luminous Silk Foundation // £35.50 // <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Giorgio+Armani+Luminous+Silk+Foundation/115382701,default,pd.html&$$ja=cgid:8743663195%7Ctsid:44970%7Ccid:176503675%7Clid:82089009835%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:46117193275%7Crnd:14932124107788313315%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o2%7Cmt:%7Cbku:1">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm definitely going to be treating myself to this beauty come pay day! It's often raved about and is said to provide a flawless, long-lasting coverage which photographs well and applies like a dream. I love trialling foundations so I can't wait to give it a whirl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Nars // Radiant Creamy Concealer // £17.50 // <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/nars-cosmetics-radiant-creamy-concealer-various-shades/10785711.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_nailcare&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&ds_e_ad_type=pla&gclid=CjwKEAiA5qOlBRDAn8K5qen65joSJADRvlbq-PnkNfuN2yzJilslRKn3pLzB1FJLR_q_oAZxmSLw4xoCBy_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I absolutely adore Nars Sheer Glow foundation and although I've read mixed reviews on this concealer, I'd love to give it a go. I love Nars as a brand and always seem to get on very well with their products. I'm drawn to the 'radiant' claim too - it's something I look for in a concealer as I mainly use it underneath my eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b style="text-align: left;">Becca // Lowlight Sculpting Perfector // £32.00 // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/lowlight-sculpting-perfector/MUK200013697.html">Link</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I discovered this product in SpaceNK a couple of weeks ago and it's something I'd never heard of before until I saw it. I used to love the Mac Contouring Creams a while back and was rather sad when they were discontinued, so this seems like the <i>perfect</i> replacement for my trusty Mac contour shade. I always find it easier to contour with a cream consistency (and i also think it looks more natural) so this is very much my kind of product. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The dark colour sheers out so it isn't as scary as it looks in the pan.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I think this may be my first Becca purchase...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nars // Audacious Lipstick in 'Barbara' // £24.00 // <a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/audacious-lipstick/MUK200013884.html">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't own a Nars lipstick but as a brand, they have to be one of my all time favourites. I really like the look of this creamy brown/pink shade - right up my street! I'll be nipping into SpaceNK for a cheeky swatch very soon. I have to say I've never been tempted by Nars lippies before but the Audacious ones really do appeal to me...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Charlotte Tilbury // Eyeshadow Palette // £38.00 // <a href="http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/luxury-palette-the-dolce-vita.html?gclid=CjwKEAiA5qOlBRDAn8K5qen65joSJADRvlbqjrDE1bWY_-A0ZSZvXbIlMYv0QkmF27Fr4c3crT1MVxoCNTXw_wcB">Link</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">Do I need an explanation for this? I feel as if I've committed a crime against the blogging world simply for not owning one of these quads. I'm not sure if I really need any more palettes in my collection but I'll definitely keep them on my radar... A possible birthday treat maybe?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nars // Blush in 'Douceur' // £21.50 // <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/nars-cosmetics-blush-various-shades/10449354.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_nailcare&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&gclid=CjwKEAiA5qOlBRDAn8K5qen65joSJADRvlbqXmDy9n-ZNIA94TC_c_c51S12sM6LCk_t08cA7kdZLBoCxmPw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I adore Nars blushes and have wanted to try 'Douceur' for ages - I believe it's actually been discontinued so I'll have to be quick off the mark if I want to snap it up. Its a gorgeous pink-brown sort of shade which is said to really enhance the cheekbones. I adore Mac's 'Harmony' blush which is said to be similar so I'm pretty sure I'll get along like a house on fire with it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Stila // Smudge Stick // £13.00 // <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/smudge-stick-waterproof-eyeliner-1-8ml/p/p22330795?extid=ps_gglpla_UK_Gen_,Beauty+_PLABeauty+--%3E+Make-up+--%3E+All+Make-up+--%3E+Eyes+--%3E+Eye+Liner_M&S+Smudge+Stick+Waterproof+Eyeliner+0.28g+BLUE&ef_id=VG3g6wAABXYjwT5K:20150104185705:s">Link</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I loveeee my Stila smudge stick in 'Damsel' which I received with the 'In the Light' palette. It made its way into my 2014 favourites and I just think it's one of the best liners I've ever tried. Not the best for precision but the lasting power is<i> incredible - </i>even in the waterline. I've decided I want to treat myself to the black version, as well as another brown shade and possibly a coloured version for summer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Zoeva // Rose Gold Brush Set // £56.95 // Link</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's going to be a good day when I get my hands on these brushes. I've been craving them for aaaages. I'm particularly interested in the 'petit crease' brush and the 'Silk Finish' - but I'd love them all I'm sure. The little hold-all bag the set comes with is the perfect finishing touch. I might actually pick one of these up for my mum too - she would love them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there we have it - some things I have my eye on for the new year. I won't be splurging on all of it but there's a couple of gems in here that I cannot wait to get my mitts on - the Zoeva brushes and Armarni Luminous Silk are top of the list, closely followed by my re-purchase of Estee Lauder's lip liners and Becca's Lowlight Sculpting Perfector. If you want to have a nosey at what other beauty bits and bobs I have my eyes on, I regularly update <b><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bethyjade/beauty-wishlist/">my beauty wish-list on Pinterest. </a></b> You can find that here. Do send me yours if you have one! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What's on your 2015 beauty wishlist?</b></span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-38068379314234947092015-01-18T19:30:00.000+00:002015-01-18T20:25:29.539+00:00Laura Mercier Lip Glace Collection<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Laura Mercier is a brand that's always tickled my fancy - I've heard so many amazing things and as a result, I have a fair few of her products on my never-ending blogger wish list. Before Christmas, I was lucky enough to recieve one of the <a href="http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/default.aspx?pageLayout=productsearch&keywords=lip_glace"><b>Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Collection*</b> </a>sets containing 5 travel sized versions of the popular Lip Glace glosses. Ranging from a milky, pale nude all the way to a bright pink-red, this particular set really does have a good variety of shades to try. As someone who experiments a great deal with lip colour, a set like this was the perfect addition to my collection and I've really enjoyed using it over the festive season and well into the new year. Although it's difficult to get your hands on these sets now that Christmas is well and truly over, I thought I'd go into a bit of detail about each shade and the overall appearance and performance. If you're a lipstick-aholic like myself, I reckon you might be tempted to get your mitts on one of these...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Angelic </b>is exactly the sort of shade you'd expect it to be from the name. This is the palest colour from the 5 and I'd describe it as being a very milky pale pink-nude. It transfers onto the lips quite sheerly so it makes for a nice layering gloss for use over lipsticks. It is slightly too pale for me to wear on it's own but it's actually quite a nice one to dab onto the lips for a little bit of dimension if you're wearing a pale shade to begin with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/product/laura_mercier/lip_glace_bare_pink_.aspx">Bare Pink</a> </b>is a little more 'me'. It's still very pale but the slight coral hint to the pink compliments my skin-tone a little more and for this reason it's much easier to wear. Again, it is slightly more sheer but this really does work in its favour as it's a good one to layer over lipsticks, making it much more versatile. It works well over Mac's 'Shy Girl' lipstick or any similar shade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Pink Pop </b>is a mid-pink shade with a hint of brightness to it. Although it's a slightly more vibrant shade it's not over the top and it still looks really sophisticated and pretty. It brings a lot of focus to the lip area and adds a touch of brightness to the complexion. Very flattering and one of the favourites from the set.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/product/laura_mercier/lip_glaces.aspx?variant=tulip">Tulip</a> </b>is a slightly more toned-down, cooler version of 'Pink Pop'. With a slight lilac/purple hint, it's one of the more pigmented shades of the set and looks beautiful worn on its own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Wildflower </b>is the favourite of the bunch for me! It's almost in-between a lipgloss and a lip laquer - it's the most pigmented of the bunch and has a slightly more opaque finish. Again, like the rest of the set, it's perfect for layering over lipsticks but this one in particular works amazingly well on its own. Its a gorgeous vibrant berry red shade with a slight hint of raspberry pink - very brightening on the complexion.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">Swatches & Order of Photographs: </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">Angelic // Bare Pink // Pink Pop // Tulip // Wildflower</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each gloss has a beautiful, vanilla-like scent which only adds to their appeal for me - I do love a yummy fragrance and it makes them all the more luxurious and pleasant to apply. Consistency wise, they <i>are</i> slightly sticky but definitely not gloopy or thick - just the right sort of texture for a nice, longer wearing lip gloss. You can feel them on your lips but they aren't unbearable - I just apply a thin layer as I'm quite fussy when it comes to glosses! They're very easy to apply thanks to the doe-foot applicator and smooth texture - making them the perfect product to throw into your handbag for on-the-go application.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, a lovely little set from Laura Mercier. Like I said, I'm not entirely sure you can get your mitts on these collection sets now the Christmas is over, but if you're a lip product fan and fancy treating yourself, I really recommend taking a look at these glosses. If you're fussy about consistency, they might not be for you, but if you're after a good quality, longer wearing lip gloss with a luxurious edge then these are the perfect treat (I've had a little mooch around at other reviews on various websites and they do seem to receive quite a bit of praise!) Priced at £19.50* each, they certainly aren't cheap, but well worth a swatch if you're a gloss fan! You can find a good variety of shades on the <b><a href="http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/default.aspx?pageLayout=productsearch&keywords=laura_mercier_lip_glace">Urban Retreat</a></b> website <a href="http://www.urbanretreat.co.uk/beautique/default.aspx?pageLayout=productsearch&keywords=laura_mercier_lip_glace">here</a> (i really like the look of 'Daiquiri' and 'Garnet'!)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever tried these lip glosses? What would you recommend from Laura Mercier?</span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-65103320832266647382015-01-14T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-14T21:50:21.911+00:00Getting the Most Out of Your Post: 6 Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sure that any blogger will say that there really isn't a set of rules for writing a blog. We'll all agree that what's right for one person isn't for another and ultimately, the key is in making it <i>yours - </i>the beauty of the blogosphere is that everybody approaches it in a slightly different way and the reason blogs are blowing the glossy magazines out of the water is simply because they're written by real 'everyday' people with different (and honest) opinions and approaches. There's no right or wrong and part of the fun of it is just learning as you go. However, one thing I really have had to grasp along the way is how to get the most out of my blog posts. There's definitely been a shift in blogging the past couple of years - even though I've only been doing this 3 years I've noticed <i>such</i> a change in that amount of time. People expect much more from blogs these days - everything's become <i>much </i>more visual, there's more pressure to get everything right straight from the get go and ultimately, social media is the key to getting your content out there (when i first started blogging - I didn't even have Twitter - shocker!) I thought I'd share a few simple tips I've learnt along the way when it comes to getting people to click that 'read more' button...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. The 'intro' image</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">First impressions count for everything - and it's no different in the blogging world! The first image you place in your post will have a big impact on whether or not your readers choose to click the 'read more' button. Blogging is very visual and the header image can totally make or break a post, no matter how well written and informative it is. The majority of readers will make up their mind on whether or not to read a post on the cover image alone. I always spend some time considering which image out of the 4 or 5 I'll usually use within the post is the strongest. Composition of a photograph often has a lot to do with it. Do you want to place some text on the image? Therefore you might want to choose one that has a good bit of 'blank space' ... or possibly one where the product isn't central in the photograph so there's room for a snazzy title. If it's a 'collective' sort of post (such as a 'haul'), you might want to pick one where you can see all of the products clearly or choose not to give everything away by using one taken at an angle with some products out of focus. If it's a review, you might want to pick a more 'obvious' image. I used to post my images in a logical order, for example - the product in the packaging or box first. Although it<i> can</i> make for a nice image, especially if it's a luxury item and the packaging is quite sleek, I often find that using a photo of the product open/in use where you can clearly see the colour in the pan is much more interesting and enticing than a neatly packaged box. It all depends what you want your post to look like. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. The post title</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Similar to the header image, the way you word your title will also have a large baring on whether or not people choose to read your post. Try to get a bit creative with your titles. In my earlier blogging days, I simply used to type the name of the product and the word 'review'. Although it's obviously appropriate to feature the name of the product, try and think about what else you can say to gather a bit of intrigue. For example 'the perfect winter blush | *product name*', or 'a new found favourite... | *product name*' It just makes things a little more interesting and hints towards what you're going to discuss in the post. People will want to know <i>why</i> this product is your new favourite and are therefore more likely to read your post. Collective posts or hauls are always the perfect excuse to get a bit creative with your titles too...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3. Day and time</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout my years of blogging, I've become quite 'in-tune' with the best times to publish my posts. This can differ for everyone depending on what your blog is about, who your audience is and where in the world your main audience is from - but in general, I'd say the best days to post are always Sundays or early to mid-week. Timing wise, early evening seems to work best for me (around 7.00 - 8.30) as that's when the majority of people are home from work or school and have sat down on the sofa with a cuppa! If I post on a Friday or Saturday night, I always find that my post is a slow burner because that's the time when a lot of people are out socialising. It's well worth getting Google Analytics, having a gander at your stats or posting at different times to judge what's working best for you and your blog. Posting at the right time can make a huge difference as to how many views your post gets. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4. Length and layout</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok. So they've clicked onto your post - how do you keep them reading? I don't think there's any right or wrong answer for this one simply because everybody has a different preference, but it's well worth considering how you're going to lay out your post. If it's a short and snappy review, it's often nice to have a couple of paragraphs together after a couple of photographs, with maybe a swatch at the end. If it's a haul or favourites styled post, I find it best to break up the text with individual photographs of products just to give the post some pace and make it easier for people to dip in and out as they please. In some instances, your reader might only want to find out about one particular item so this layout style comes in very handy. If you already have a full review of a certain product you've featured in a collective post then it's always good insert a link to it so they can easily find out more. In general, large blocks of text can put people off and it makes readers much more likely to skim read. A lot of people will skim-read regardless, especially if they're not a regular reader - so have a think of ways to keep their attention. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe pop the price of the item and a link in bold at the beginning, or think of a few sub-headings to break up the text - think about where you're inserting a line break. All in all,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It's your blog and you make the rules but it's well worth thinking about what keeps <i>you </i>reading when you click on to other's blogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5. Sign it off...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's always nice to try and encourage people to interact with your post and your blog. A good way of doing this is asking a question at the end of the post (but only if you're genuinely interested at what others have got to say and only if it's appropriate!) If I've tried something from a certain brand and liked it, I might ask people what else they could recommend from the same brand. I might be interested to know if other people have had a similar experience or have found a better version. Similarly, if I've not enjoyed a product, I'm always intrigued to know if others have found the same problems or niggles and how they might have overcome it or used the product in a different way. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blogging is a fab way to discover products you might never have tried before and I'm always amazed at how helpful and chatty other bloggers are.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It's always good to start a discussion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6. Promote, promote, promote!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm the worst for this one and it's one thing I really want to concentrate on more in 2015 - promoting your post is <i>so</i> important. When you've spent time and energy tapping away, taking and editing photographs and putting a post together (if you're a blogger you'll know that even the shortest of posts can take hours of work from start to finish) you want to promote it as best you can in order to get it seen! Twitter and Instagram are probably the best ways for doing so (personally, I don't use Instagram but blogging has definitely shifted in favour of it the past year or so) As soon as your post goes live, pop out a tweet to let your followers know. Drop in a link and the #bbloggers hash-tag - and if you've got a particularly good header image, why not tweet a picture too? Beware of over-promoting though - as this can do the exact opposite of what you intend to do, but it's well worth tweeting about it a couple of times over the next few days in order to gain more exposure to your post from different groups of people. Readers may have missed your update in their Bloglovin' feeds so Twitter is a fab way of making sure you get it out there and maximising your potential exposure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you got any top tips for getting the most from a post? Sharing is caring! Let me know :)</b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-7943023988636567342015-01-13T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-13T19:00:00.864+00:00Organic Surge | Super Rich Body Butter in 'Lavender Meadow'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Body butters are an absolute <i>must-have</i> for me. I kid you not, it's like the body butter version of Jenga on the sides of my bath right now - I'm obsessed. I often have a few on the go at the same time and new to the towering stack is <b><a href="http://www.organicsurge.com/products/super-rich-body-butter?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=528324785&gclid=Cj0KEQiAneujBRDcvL6f5uybhdABEiQA_ojMgsDFMzSFjHHLRMmaz8PBdwfENNdQAprutb11ktxN-70aAmOw8P8HAQ">Organic Surge's 'Lavender Meadow' Super Rich Body Butter (£15.75*).</a> </b> As winter takes its toll on my skin, I often find myself searching for something slightly richer than your average and Organic Surge's offering sounded sure to be just the ticket. Enriched with natural oils and with a super-thick, buttery consistency - it's the perfect treat for dry, thirsty skin. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The butter itself seems to have a pearlised effect when you take off the lid - it really is quite inviting and looks luxurious. I have to say, the lavender scent really is quite strong. Now, I love a dose of lavender as I find it helps me to sleep, but even for me - this is quite overpowering and floral. It's not one that I'd apply before a night out as it could have a tendency to completely take over your perfume - but it's lovely for use in the evenings after a bath before you go sleep. It's very soothing to the senses. The butter itself is very thick in consistency and feels very rich - almost like a moisturising paste. Personally, I found it took quite a while to get it to massage in but it doesn't leave a greasy residue whatsoever - in fact, it doesn't leave any sort of tacky feeling on the skin at all. It's not what I expected and usually I do prefer for my skin to feel a little more 'quenched', but if you're the type who likes to moisturise and go then this would be perfect. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MSzEQczmCYl_oUoSEsZrRSwb-SKAkkTywzmcYAHop4y-It6swsNXwpFP60yGGAEZOBhP4CyfkNRjQ4P_KtqennO203meOwzFJV3DZ1bj-hER6uv3F1mQaOgdH_Q6wJ1z-8P5ZcSxIW4/s1600/DSC06193e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MSzEQczmCYl_oUoSEsZrRSwb-SKAkkTywzmcYAHop4y-It6swsNXwpFP60yGGAEZOBhP4CyfkNRjQ4P_KtqennO203meOwzFJV3DZ1bj-hER6uv3F1mQaOgdH_Q6wJ1z-8P5ZcSxIW4/s1600/DSC06193e2.jpg" height="444" width="665" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although it is without a doubt very moisturising, I'm not sure the consistency is for me. I've been enjoying using it before bed - particularly on my arms and chest as I do find it helps to relax me if I'm feeling a bit stressed but I'm not sure if it would be an instant re-purchase for me. It takes a little more working in than what I'm used to. It's nice little treat to use in the evenings and seems to work best when your skin is a little warmer and you've just got out of the bath, but I prefer something a little more creamy. Overall though - I've enjoyed using it and I'd recommend it if you're really suffering with dry skin and want something a little more sumptuous. You can find the Super Rich Body Butter on the <a href="http://www.organicsurge.com/products/super-rich-body-butter?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=528324785&gclid=Cj0KEQiAneujBRDcvL6f5uybhdABEiQA_ojMgsDFMzSFjHHLRMmaz8PBdwfENNdQAprutb11ktxN-70aAmOw8P8HAQ#yoReviews">Organic Surge website here,</a> priced at £15.75*.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-69872550524174564542015-01-11T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-11T19:00:00.149+00:00Longer Lasting Makeup | 10 Tips<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. Leave enough time for your moisturiser to sink in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always leave a good 5 minutes for my moisturiser to sink in before I even think about applying my base. Even though I use one with a fairly light consistency of a morning, I always leave it just that little bit longer before I go in with primer even if it does feel as if it's fully absorbed. Try doing something in between - like putting your rollers in for example - and allow the product to fully absorb into the skin and settle. If you're applying makeup right on top of a moisturiser, it's going to be more likely to slip off during the day. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. Consider what moisturiser you're using.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If your morning skincare is slightly more thick in consistency or has a tendency to be a little heavy or greasy, it might be worth saving it for the evening and trying to find something a bit lighter. If your skin is particularly dry and you simply can't get away with a lighter texture - just use a tiny 'dab' of the heavier one on the problem areas (for me it's my cheeks) and use a lighter consistency everywhere else. Similarly, if your skin is oily it might be worth searching for a moisturiser with 'mattifying' benefits. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3. Primer. Primer. PRIMER!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So many people I know never use a primer and consider it a bit of a pointless step in their makeup regime. Honestly, if you want your foundation to last through the day then it's well worth taking some time to find a primer that works for you. Personally, I do think some primers on the market are a bit of a gimmick and don't actually have any 'staying power' benefits - which could be the reason why so many people give up - but do your research. My ultimate favourites have to be <b>Benefit's Porefessional </b>(<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/its-pore-o-clock-benefits-porefessional.html">review here</a>) and <b>Loreal's Smoothing Resurfacing Primer </b>(<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/my-go-to-face-base-loreal-studio.html">review here</a>) and I use either one depending on what my skin needs (Loreal's is slightly heavier). I never apply my foundation without a primer first and it's such a key step in my makeup regime - it makes the world of difference. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4. Applying your primer.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Instead of applying your primer in a similar way to moisturiser, try using pressing motions instead of sweeping motions - particularly around problem areas like the nose. This will ensure your primer is absorbed into the skin properly and settled into all the nooks and crannys instead of simply sitting on top. It also helps prevent your foundation from settling into pores.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>5. Foundation: Less is more</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finding a foundation that 'sits right' with your skin is important, but no matter what you use, if you apply it in a slap-dash manner it's not going to want to stick around as much. I actually spend quite some time applying my foundation - I buff it in slowly working from the middle of the face and blending outwards. I'll apply a very light layer first and then leave it to settle before applying another layer if I want a fuller coverage or want to further cover up any problem areas instead of using one thick layer. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6. Buff it in.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is just personal opinion but I definitely think my foundation lasts longer when I've applied it with a buffing brush instead of my fingers or a standard foundation brush. I hardly ever use another tool aside from my trusty RT buffing brush to apply my foundation as I just find it offers the best coverage at the same time as helping it to sit on the skin much better. Instead of 'painting' the product on you're essentially buffing it into your skin - not only does it look much more natural and flawless but it will give your makeup a much better chance of lasting all day.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7. Find a good setting powder.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used to stay away from powder because my skin isn't overly oily and I didn't think my skin really needed it - but find a good one and you'll find that powders can offer so much more than just oil control. I use <b>Mac's Mineralise Skinfinish Natural </b><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/old-favourite-new-packaging-macs-msf.html">(review here) </a>and it's the perfect finishing step in my base routine. It sets the foundation, prevents shine and also makes my skin look much more polished. It softens the appearance, blurs imperfections and means that any powder blush or bronzer you apply on top will sit much better and blend more easily. Mac's offering really does effect the longevity of your makeup and I use it daily - it makes the world of difference to my foundation and keeps it looking freshly applied for much longer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>8. Use a setting spray for extra staying power.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to use <b>Urban Decay's Setting Sprays </b><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/urban-decay-de-slick-makeup-setting.html">(review here)</a><b> </b>if I'm going on a night out or if i've got a long day ahead in order to boost my makeup's staying power. I don't use it daily as I don't think it's really a 'must-have' but it definitely does help your makeup last longer. I use this after I've completed my makeup - eyeshadow, eyebrows, blush - the lot... it just helps to lock it all in place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9. Keep your mitts off!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is easier said than done and it's a fairly obvious one to mention, but try your best to keep your hands off your face! You're probably not aware of just how much you actually do it but try your best to stop yourself when you become conscious of it. It really doesn't do your foundation any favours! When I'm sat at a desk all day, my makeup comes off quicker than if I've been shopping all day - which sounds a bit stange but it's all because of bad habits. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10. Touch-ups.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If all else fails, carry a little touch-up kit with you. No matter how hard you try, problem areas like the nose and chin are going to show a little bit of wear through the day. Instead of just piling on another layer of foundation (which isn't going to look exactly fetching in an hour or so) you're much better off carrying a powder and small concealer which matches your foundation shade. Before you even apply any product, try blending the makeup you already have on your face to cover the problem area - if it's just not going to work, apply a small amount of concealer or simply blot the area and blend some powder over the top. Tiny touch ups work better than trying to overhaul the whole face!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What are your favourite products to use for getting your makeup to last longer? Anything else you can recommend?</span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-51802712167520290812015-01-08T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-08T19:00:00.469+00:00The 90's Nude Lip | 'Kylie Jenner' Inspired Shades<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLp4r_Z1YxjYMiEVm38GIWch7NFXFuc8Im7l8fFlbPr3oQ3Drks5Rs0MSOMkRBD2BMf2xQwufV3pmNvnMxGF0PGoHDseSqq7_wU1vejgMOUVWFEE-v2tK4JshCUS_FRzOlxDm74kPUSY/s1600/DSC07504e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><span style="color: #444444;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLp4r_Z1YxjYMiEVm38GIWch7NFXFuc8Im7l8fFlbPr3oQ3Drks5Rs0MSOMkRBD2BMf2xQwufV3pmNvnMxGF0PGoHDseSqq7_wU1vejgMOUVWFEE-v2tK4JshCUS_FRzOlxDm74kPUSY/s1600/DSC07504e2.jpg" height="444" width="665" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I always swore to myself I'd never use the typical phrase 'Kylie Jenner lip' in a post...yet here we are. That's blogging for you. I'll be honest - I'm not one of these people who gets caught up in celebrity hype too much but you simply can't get away from the ol' KJ inspired lip at the moment can you? Personally, I've always been a fan of a darker nude lip and so it seems like the perfect time to share my collection with you all. It's amazing how much definition shades like this bring to your lips without looking overdone. There's something about spicy browns and brick hues that really do make the lips appear plumper, fuller and altogether more perfected - it's such a sophisticated look that brings a lot of attention to the lip area without having to opt for a vibrant, statement shade - perfect for everyday wear. So, I thought I'd introduce you to my trusty bunch of '90s' inspired shades... I definitely have my favourites amongst them so if you're of a similar skin tone to me and are seeking out some Kylie Jenner inspo - hopefully this post might be of some interest...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac // 'Half n Half' // £15.50 // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my all-time favourites, 'Half n Half' has featured quite heavily on my blog over the past year or so. It's a slightly lesser-known version of the infamous 'Velvet Teddy' but I much prefer the finish and texture of this one and it's virtually the same, maybe a touch lighter. The amplified finish gives the lipstick a slightly glossy finish and it's also incredibly opaque - it's absolutely stunning. It's featured in my <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html">Mac Lipstick Collection post here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac // 'Paramount' // £15.50 //<a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This isn't exactly a nude shade but it would have been daft if I didn't include it! If you're a statement lips fan and aren't sure you'd really suit the '90s nude lip' trend, this one is for you. It's a beautiful bold burgundy/brown shade - slightly gothic in appearance. I have a<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/mac-lipstick-in-paramount-90s-twist-on.html"> full post on it here</a>, and it also features in my <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html">Mac Lipstick Collection post here</a> if you want to see it in more detail.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac // 'Velvet Teddy' // £15.50 // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This lipstick has fast become the classic Kylie Jenner shade. Said to be a firm favourite of hers, Mac stores have been sold-out of this beauty for weeks on end. I've owned it for about a year now and it's been one of my 'classics' since my second year of uni... it has that much sought after matte finish whilst providing amazing pigmentation. It's really understated and classy, yet brings so much focus to the lips. I featured it in my <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html">Mac Lipstick Collection post here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lord & Berry // 'Brick Lip' // £9.60 // <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/lord-berry-intensity-lipstick-various-colours/10661234.html">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Similar to Velvet Teddy but with a slightly more brick-ish, red hue. If you're unsure about overly brown toned lips then this one is a fabulous option. It definitely lives up to it's name. Lord & Berry's lipsticks are super long lasting and provide a similar look and finish to Mac's Matte finish lipsticks. I featured this shade in a<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/monthly-favourites-august.html"> favourites post here </a>if you want to see it in more detail.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Rimmel // Lasting Finish in 'Undressed' // Discontinued?!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I might shed tears when this one finally runs out, as I reckon Rimmel has discontinued it. I've seen it lurking on eBay and Amazon but I hate not being able to really guarantee what I'm getting! This has to be my ultimate favourite... it's probably the lightest of the bunch but it's so incredibly wearable and that's why I love it. It's completely battered from being in my handbag! It's actually very similar to Mac's 'Half and Half', and whilst it's a slightly lighter offering, it still has that staple 90s brown hue to it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour Colour // 'Pink Spice' // £8.99// <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/Maybelline-Superstay-24hr-DualEnded-Lip-Color_1150622/">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I featured this product in a favourites post last year (<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/monthly-favourites-august.html">here</a>), and I always opt for it if I want something <i>really</i> long-lasting. Trust me, it doesn't budge. It applies like a lip laquer, dries matte and gives intense, rich colour pay off in an instant. It can, however, feel really drying so it's worth popping in your handbag so you have the balm with you. The double-ended product has an intense moisturising balm at the other end which adds a bit of gloss and sheen, at the same time as stopping the stain settling into lines and drying out your lips.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Elf Studio Matte Lip Colour in 'Tea Rose' // £3.50 //<a href="http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/lip-liner/studio-matte-lip-colour/invt/82460"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The newest addition to my collection. I've been wanting Mac's 'Faux' for a while now but if you've seen my Mac Lipstick Collection, you'll know I realllllly don't need any more... I found this shade on the Elf website and took a gamble - my goodness - it's perfect! It's my new obsession! It's the perfect lilac-brown shade. I love the crayon format, the fact it's so long lasting and not to mention the affordable price tag. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Barry M Lip Liners // (not sure of names - sorry!) // £2.99 //<a href="http://www.superdrug.com/Barry-M/Barry-M-Lip-Liner-Fuchsia-12/p/880708#.VIydO9za7u0"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These 2 Barry M liners are the perfect companion for the majority of the lipsticks and shades featured here. The nude one is simply perfect and I actually wear this on it's own very regularly with a clear gloss over the top. The reddish one is perfect for use with brick-toned lipsticks such as Lord & Berry's 'Brick Lip' or Maybellines 'Pink Spice'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac Lip Liner // 'Spice' // £12.60 // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/167/340/Lip-Pencil/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The most long-lasting lip liner I own. This is also a 'Kylie Jenner' fave. A shade that's been massively hyped over the past couple of months, 'Spice' lives up to its name. It's a beautiful spiced pink/brown that looks beautiful on it's own or teamed with a lipstick.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>MUA // Power Pout Lip Crayon in 'Rendezvous' // £3.00 // <a href="http://www.superdrug.com/MUA-Lips/MUA-Power-Pouts-Lipstick-Rendezvous/p/621355#.VIygsNza7u0">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the perfect layering crayon for me. It doesn't look as intense in the swatch but it's actually quite pigmented... I always layer this over Mac's 'Spice' pencil or either of the Barry M liners and it always looks<i> so</i> put together. The slightly glossy finish means that it isn't drying on the lips at all, and it's actually quite long-lasting. It wears off to a stain. I often wear this when I'm working, layered over a lip liner as I know it's going to last all day. I have a <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/mua-power-pout-lip-crayon-in-rendezvous.html">full post here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lipstick Swatches L-R:</b> Rimmel 'Undressed // Mac 'Half n Half' // Mac 'Velvet Teddy' // Lord & Berry 'Brick Lip // Mac 'Paramount' //<b> Crayons Swatches L-R: </b>Elf 'Tea Rose' // Maybelline 'Pink Spice' // MUA 'Rendezvous // Barry M Liners // Mac 'Spice' Liner</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Apologies - I've just realised I didn't swatch these products in the order they appear on my post (bad blogger alert!) so please do refer to the text above if any of them take your fancy. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are you a fan of the Kylie Jenner lip? What are your 90s lipstick favourites?</span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-32724897937222880142015-01-06T19:00:00.000+00:002015-01-06T19:00:01.344+00:00The Lilac/Brown Nude Lip: Elf Matte Lip Colour in 'Tea Rose'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You know how it is. It's winter. You're bored. You casually tap away on the interwebs searching for some makeup inspiration and before you know it, you've only gone and bought your entire online basket. We've all been there and felt the guilt, I'm sure - but<a href="http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/"> E.l.f </a>has to be one of those websites that's perfect for a spontaneous treat now and again. With their super affordable products and wide range of beauty goodies, I often check back and see what's new. As soon as I saw Elf's 'Tea Rose' - I knew it<i> had</i> to be mine. I'd been wanting a lilac/brown shade for quite some time but I didn't want to spend the earth on a shade I wasn't entirely sure would suit me - if you've been reading my blog for a while you'll know I love my 90s inspired browns and darker nudes, but I wanted to try something a little bit different. With a splash of lilac, 'Tea Rose' reminds me somewhat of Mac's 'Faux' lipstick - one that's been on my wish list for ages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have to say I've been quite impressed - the shade is exactly what I've been searching for and I've satisfied my craving for a lilac-brown neutral lip. At just £3.95, Elf's Matte Lip Colour crayon is amazing value for money and of really great quality too. The simple twist-up mechanism is perfect for use on the go, and the matte black packaging is also right up my street - very sleek and simple. The crayon itself is just the right size for defining the lip shape and the formula glides on fairly easily to say it's a matte finish, whilst providing pigment rich colour. Personally, I prefer a glossy lip so I just add a balm or a gloss on top and it looks stunning - it really seems to plump up the lips and when used alongside a lip liner, gives that really amped up 'full' effect - dare I say it - but it's very 'Kylie Jenner-esque' (beauty blogger phrase right there!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, I think these lip crayons are well worth the £3.95 price tag - there's a nice range of shades for any occasion and they're the perfect handbag companion. The smaller size makes for a more precise application. You can find 'Tea Rose' on the <a href="http://eyeslipsface.co.uk/en/restofworld/lip-liner/studio-matte-lip-colour/invt/82460#dontShow">Elf website here.</a></span><br />
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<b>Have you tried any of the Elf Lip Colours?</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In true beauty blogger style, I thought I'd sum up 2014 with a few beauty favourites consisting of products I've discovered throughout the year. It was a tough task indeed - I've certainly uncovered a few new favourites the past 12 months but there's a select few that really do stand out to me. Originally, I was going to pick one product for each category, but when I discovered that not much has changed from last year and the fact that I've got 4 bronzing/contouring products I've enjoyed using - I thought I'd just go ahead and narrow it down to my 'Top 14 of 2014' instead. All products featured have been new additions to my makeup collection this year and the majority of them all have full reviews or features on my blog. I've included links to all separate reviews (where you'll find swatches - sorry for not including any in this post but my arms are only so long!) as well as handy shop links. Here's my Top 14 of 2014 in no particular order...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>1. Illamasqua // Sculpting Powder Duo // <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/illamasqua-sculpting-powder-duo.html">Review </a>//<a href="http://www.selfridges.com/en/illamasqua-sculpting-duo_366-3001383-03324/"> Link</a></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Illamasqua palette has been a firm favourite throughout the year and is perfect for any contouring addict like myself! The cool toned bronzer gives the most intense yet natural sculpted look to the cheekbones, and the champagne highlight is simply stunning worn on the cheeks, brow bone and even in the corner of the eyes. Both powders are incredibly pigmented, soft to the touch and easy to blend. I shall be repurchasing for sure... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>2. Seventeen // Instant Glow Bronzer // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/monthly-favourites-august.html">Review </a>// <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/monthly-favourites-august.html">Link</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">By heck - have Seventeen pleased me this year! This powder bronzer is a fabulous every day product that blends really well and gives a subtle sun-kissed look to the complexion. The matte finish gives such a natural appearance, and the colour pay off is really impressive - a complete drugstore gem of a bronzer that warms the complexion and gives the perfect 'just got back from my jollies' look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>3. Jane Iredale // Daytime Palette // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/jane-iredale-daytime-palette.html">Review</a> // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Jane-Iredale-Daytime-Eye-Shadow-Kit-9g?aff=wg&siteid=54264&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fbirdle.blogspot.co.uk%2F2014%2F05%2Fjane-iredale-daytime-palette.html&utm_campaign=54264">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The palette of the year for me. These 5 matte, super pigmented shades became my ultimate 'go to' in 2014. Easy to travel with due to the slim, lightweight packaging - it's so handy and the perfect companion for a neutrals lover like myself. It has featured heavily on my blog the past few months and for good reason too - I can't wait to invest in more of these eyeshadows. They've seriously impressed me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4. Benefit // Gimme Brow // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/brow-wow-my-thought-on-benefits-gimme.html">Review</a> // <a href="https://www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk/product/view/gimme-brow?ext_id=adaff_TnL5HPStwNw&siteID=TnL5HPStwNw-siZi0EvV6m_HAyg_xDUZnQ">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love the dinky little wand and ease of application of these brow mascaras - I've tried my fair share and I have to say these are the best I've tried in terms on longevity, formula and ease of use. I use them as a 'finishing step' once I've filled in my brows and they just give such a defined, perfected finish. I tend to use the lighter one in the daytime and the darker one for nights out when I want a slightly more defined appearance. My eyebrows stay perfectly groomed and in place all day.</span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Anastasia // Dip Brow // <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/anastasia-dipbrow-pomade-professional.html">Blonde - Review</a> </span>// <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/beauty-haul-mini-reviews.html">Medium Brown - Review </a>// <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/anastasiabeverlyhills/dipbrowpomade/?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&ctyid=gb&gclid=CjgKEAjwz7mdBRDS46_ipNqqsEQSJAC4rrGkDZYgHzfeyXscQ9b1LsZUE6_ttPVaatSEKeBxy9Xtn_D_BwE">Link</a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 will always be the year I discovered Dip Brow! It's one of those products that I genuinely have no idea how I ever lived without. I have the shades 'Blonde' and 'Medium Brown' and use both together in order to create a natural, defined finish. My eyebrows always look perfectly in-tact at the end of the day and I've had so many compliments. If you want a professional 'HD Brows' finish, I really recommend looking into these pots!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>6. Tanya Burr // Lipglosses // <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/tanya-burr-lipglosses-review-swatches.html">Review</a> // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Tanya-Burr-Lip-Gloss-38g?aff=wg&siteid=54264&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=&utm_campaign=54264">Link</a></span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm usually not a lipgloss person whatsoever but Tanya Burr's range really did change my mind this year - I can't be without a tube now! I loved using these particularly through summer and I was completely addicted to the red shade on holiday - it sets off a tan like no other! They're pigmented enough to wear on their own (very similar to a lip laquer) and they're perfect to just throw in your handbag for on the go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>7. Mac // Lipstick in 'Half n Half' // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html">Review</a> //<a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl"> Link</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2014 was the year of the 90s nude and Mac's 'Half n Half' was my go-to shade. It's a gorgeous medium toned brown, very similar to the infamous 'Velvet Teddy' but with a slightly more glossy finish and more creamy in consistency. It's very easy to wear as an everyday lipstick and it just goes with any makeup look at any time of the year. I love it! It featured in my <u><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/monthly-favourites-december.html">recent favourites here</a></u> as well as my <u><a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html">Mac Lipstick Collection post.</a></u></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. Benefit // Hoola Bronzer // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/my-new-go-to-bronzer-benefits-hoola.html">Review</a> // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Benefit-Hoola-Bronzing-Powder-11g?utm_source=GoogleBaseUK&utm_medium=gen&option=26800&aff=mrn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+-+Benefit&mkwid=MgWQOM2A_dc&pcrid=51359777319&gclid=Cj0KEQiA2o6lBRCn_b7yppe98rQBEiQAMpnYncyRMdVNqy-01qT3UuxVK7FdtgVyVMfl4qc5CCqv284aAv3Y8P8HAQ"><span style="color: black;">Link</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 saw me fall head over heels in love with this Benefit Box 'o Powder! Hoola is the perfect shade for contouring the cheekbones and the handy little brush it comes with is just the right size - I don't usually use brushes that come in compacts but this one is lovely and soft. In my opinion, it's the perfect shade for subtle contouring - it deepens a tan, sculpts the face and just gives a naturally defined look to the cheeks.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>9. Bourjois // CC Cream // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/my-foundation-wardrobe.html">Review</a> //<a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Bourjois-123-Perfect-CC-Cream-30ml?utm_source=GoogleBaseUK&utm_medium=gen&option=18704&aff=mrn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google%2BShopping%2B-%2BSuppliers_Other&mkwid=fR2psPXE_dc&pcrid=51359796639&aff=wg&siteid=54264&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fbirdle.blogspot.co.uk%2F2014%2F12%2Fmy-foundation-wardrobe.html&utm_campaign=54264"> Link</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This CC Cream has to be one of the best discoveries of 2014 for me<i>. </i> The coverage is seriously amazing and it just gives the most natural dewy glow to the skin. It instantly awakens a dull complexion, helping to counteract dark circles and cover any redness - whilst smoothing out the skin and blending seamlessly for a natural yet flawless finish. It always feels so refreshing to apply too. One of my favourite bases and perfect for daily wear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>10. Seventeen // Falsifeye HD Mascara // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/drugstore-gems-recent-finds.html">Review</a> // <a href="http://www.boots.com/en/SEVENTEEN-Falsifeye-HD-Mascara_1502635/?affwin&awc=2041_1420044102_cc458126aeed0bfbe1cd6385c3c1926d&cm_mmc_o=-uubkbzfwlCjCKww5kbELCjCvi%20i9%20niioCjCC">Link</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This mascara really wow'ed me this year - it separates and fans out the lashes, instantly creating a fuller appearance. As well as holding a curl really nicely, the wand coats even the smallest of eyelashes, making them appear so much more volumised and incredibly defined from root to tip.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>11. Stila // Smudge Stick in 'Damsel' //<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/monthly-favourites-november.html"> Review </a>// <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/stila/smudgestickwaterproofeyeliner?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=STIL0742F&ctyid=gb&mkwid=itJ1J98n_dc&pcrid=55565190735&gclid=Cj0KEQiA2o6lBRCn_b7yppe98rQBEiQAMpnYndU2IrCjmuQrfyflDP2D48PUoSmr1o7MVazmJ5-8mqgaAkbk8P8HAQ"><span style="color: black;">Link</span></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This eyeliner has fast become a holy grail product for me - I'm going to treat myself to the black version very soon but this year - I've really enjoyed using this dark brown shade. It looks beautiful with a subtle, neutral eye and lasts really well both on the top and bottom lash line and on the waterline. It doesn't run and stays put all day. I love it.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12. Mac // Lip Liner in 'Spice' // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/monthly-favourites-june.html"><span style="color: black;">Review</span></a> // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/167/340/Lip-Pencil/index.tmpl">Link</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been using this lip liner all year and I just love it. It's so long-lasting and is the perfect companion for all of my trusty brown toned lipsticks. I also like to wear it on it's own with a touch of gloss on top. I went even more crazy for it when the 'Kylie Jenner lip' hype hit the bloggosphere...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>13. Nars // Matte Multiple in 'Altai' //<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/new-favourite-nars-matte-multiple-in.html"> Review </a>//<a href="http://uk.spacenk.com/matte-multiple/MUK200012612.html"> Link</a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 saw me really get in to contouring using cream products. I adore the Nars Matte Multiple in the shade 'Altai' and it went <i>everywhere </i>with me this year. I just love the shade of it - it creates a lovely natural sculpted look without dulling the complexion and it blends like a dream. I also use it as an all over bronzer - incredibly versatile and a complete must-have for me.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">14. Benefit // Porefessional Primer // <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/its-pore-o-clock-benefits-porefessional.html"> <span style="color: black;">Review</span> </a>// <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/benefit-the-porefessional-primer-22ml/10552666.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_cosmetics&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQiA2o6lBRCn_b7yppe98rQBEiQAMpnYnXKg-_fxfxUFVw6f_9G9uhHPm5VRn5eE9Wk1FeqxJk0aArcb8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds">Link</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I use this primer daily and I have to say I think it's the best one I've ever used. It creates the perfect base to apply my foundation and my makeup always lasts incredibly well because of it. It really does help to smooth out the skin, blur imperfections and camouflage pores in order to create a flawless finish to the skin. Well worth investing in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What have been your favourites of 2014? </b></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-62488163385974630672015-01-01T18:30:00.002+00:002015-01-01T19:03:50.053+00:00Reflecting on 2014 & My New Years Resolutions!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pinch, Punch, First of the month and a very HAPPY 2015 FOLKS! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What's New Year without a few resolutions, ey?! I know that not everybody likes the whole 'new year new me' rubbish but I'm all in favour of new beginnings and reflecting upon what you might like to do differently in future - it's the perfect excuse to change things you aren't happy with, wipe the slate clean and think about what it is you want to achieve for the year ahead. <b>2015 really does mark the start of something new for me</b> - I start my new job on Monday (wish me luck!) which is the perfect new beginning and I cannot wait to start doing something I love for a living - I feel extremely lucky to have such a passion for something and to be able to call it work, and I cannot wait to see what happens over the course of the next 12 months. 3 years ago, I made a decision to change something I wasn't happy with and I feel like I'm finally reaping the rewards - it's blooming' fantastic!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2014 was a pretty successful year when I actually think about it.<b> </b> I finished my degree, graduated with first class honours and I managed to get a placement at an amazing company I've wanted to work with since <i>forever.</i> Seriously, that sounds a bit corny but it was a big focus of mine throughout my entire degree and I really wanted to satisfy my curiosity. Not only that, but I ended up going back later on in the year and created my very own card/wrapping paper range which will be on the shelves of a major retailer in 2015 (for those of you who don't know - i studied graphic design/illustration). Its something I've always wanted to do but I never thought it would actually happen - I've ticked something off of my list that I never thought I'd get the chance to accomplish. I also came away with some new friends - I was so lucky to live with the most lovely bunch of girls for the entire time and it just made it even more of a positive experience for me. Top that off with an amazing week in London with my uni bunch and it was a spiffing year when it came down to that side of things. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Admittedly, 2014 wasn't the best below the surface. It's amazing how a person can have such an effect on your own wellbeing and a lot of rubbish was bought to the forefront for me. However, I really don't want to focus on the negative so I'll just flip it into a positive - I can honestly say that I really did learn how strong I really am this year and I'm relieved to say that things seem to be getting better and better. Like I said, what with my new job - I finally have something new to focus on and I really have learnt so much these past 12 months. I've learnt a lot of life lessons - some of which I wish I didn't have to learn but like they say - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger! </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's my new years resolutions for 2015:</b>
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">// Take more photos & document the little things more //</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I realised the other day that I really haven't documented the past couple of years all that well. I used to be such a sucker for taking photographs and although I've taken a fair few, in this day and age where you genuinely question whether things even happened if you haven't taken a picture (thanks Instagram), I actually haven't taken many whatsoever in the grand scheme of things. I have some holiday photos and that's about yer lot. I really want to start Instagram-ing in 2015 and just document the little moments more - like random evenings out and meet-ups with old friends. I feel sad that I didn't take the time over the past 2 years to do that - at the end of 2015, I'd love to make a little photobook up of my year and be able to remember all the little things.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">// Concentrate on my career //</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm so excited to start my new job! It's something I've wanted to get in to for a very long time and I'd love to see where it goes this year. I've never been one to do things by halves and I've always been quite career driven - so it's the perfect chance for me to start pouring some energy into work and hopefully setting down some foundations for the next few years ahead.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">// Build my savings back up // </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By heck did my savings take a battering this year. I saved money like a trooper at my last place of work but I ended up having to use a little bit of it this year whilst I was job hunting after finishing uni. 2015 is the year of savings for me - <i>fun</i>! I have a rather ambitious figure in mind but i have no doubt I'll get there if I go about things the right way. I'd love to get some solid savings back in the bank for 2016 as I have a lot of things I want to do over the course of the next 2 years. </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">// Up my blog game & branch out a little...//</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Uni really did knock me off course with my blog slightly. I managed to keep posting but I just wasn't as in-tune with it as I wanted to be. December saw me fall back in love with blogging and as a result, it's been rewarding to watch my blog start growing again and I'm feeling more motivated than ever. I'm hoping I manage to keep it up throughout 2015 - and I'd love to start typing up some more life related rambles. My <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/the-expectations-of-being-twenty.html">'Expectations of a Twenty-Something' </a>post was one of my most popular to date and I<i> really</i> enjoyed writing it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>// Squats, Squats, Squats //</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oo - typical new years resolution right here! During the summer, I really did concentrate on toning up my body and I kept it up for a good few months. I noticed <i>such</i> a difference and then as soon as the darker nights started rolling in I let it slide. I'm not going to totally kid myself and promise to join a gym - because I know the chances of that are pretty slim - however, I would like to get back into home exercise. It's amazing how much better I felt both physically and mentally - and I felt the happiest I've ever felt with my body. In 2015 I'd love to get back on the health kick!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>// Stop trying to force things to happen //</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm often guilty of trying to force things or rush things that I believe to be the right thing for me. This year, I've spent way too much time worrying over every little thing - trying to control every single aspect of my life and I think that in 2015, I just need to let things be and stop worrying. Everything turned out just fine this year and wish I'd spent less time worrying and more time just enjoying situations for what they were. <i>'What is meant for you will not pass you by...'</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>// Make more plans - because I finally can!! //</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My university days are over and although they were some of the best days of my life, I have to admit I'm so relieved to be earning money again and I'll be glad to have some routine back. This year, I really want to make some more plans with friends and family - I'm going to make an effort to do more fun things, be a little more spontaneous and just enjoy whatever time I have off. I'm thinking days out, weekends away and maybe a holiday or two. I just feel as if i'm finally able to really grab life by the horns and do whatever it is I want to do with my spare time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So there we have it - some new year's resolutions. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> On the whole, 2015 is about laying down the foundations for the next few years of my life. It's always good to have a plan - and I have to say I'm quite proud of myself for always being one step ahead - I'm constantly thinking about what I want to achieve and where I see myself in the future - it's served me well so far and I've never been the type to sit back and rest on my laurels. But m</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ore than anything, my main aim is to just be happy and healthy - to me, that's more important than anything. The past 2 years have been very hit and miss for me but I have to say I finally feel like things really are turning out for the better. I cannot wait to see what this new year holds! <b>New year, new job and a brand new beginning! </b>Here's to 2015 fellow bloggers and Bird's Words readers *raises imaginary champagne glass* - I hope you have a good one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What are your 2015 resolutions? Let me know if you've done a similar post!</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-60395098191731004372014-12-30T19:48:00.000+00:002014-12-31T11:45:00.236+00:00My Foundation Wardrobe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a blogger, one thing I do enjoy testing and trailing is foundation. My makeup drawers house a rather sizeable collection of different bottles and I often go through phases where I'll use a certain one before moving swiftly on to my next obsession. However, I've come to realise that I have a little 'dream team' of four different foundations/base products that I <i>always</i> seem to come back to. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Depending on what my skin needs, what season we're in or what sort of occasion it is, I'll chop and change which of the four I use throughout the year - each one serves a different purpose and I never feel at a loss as to what to reach for...I think I've managed to tick every box when it comes to my foundation needs!</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Since I posted my 'Autumn/Winter Blush Wardrobe' not so long ago (<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/my-autumnwinter-blush-wardrobe.html">you can find that here)</a>, I had the bright idea of putting together a post all about my foundation wardrobe - in other words, my selection of truly trustworthy base products I have on hand for every event or occasion... If you're looking for something new to try, hopefully this post might give you a bit of inspiration!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Nars // Sheer Glow Foundation // £31.00 // <a href="http://www.asos.com/Nars/NARS-Sheer-Glow-Foundation/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1569271&r=2">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This product features quite heavily on my blog as it's probably my most used foundation. Out of the four, it offers the most coverage so I opt for this one whenever I'm craving a super flawless base or if I need something for a special event or occasion. However, I also use it as a daily foundation throughout the winter months (personally I find it a little too much for daily wear in summer) so it's very versatile and isn't overly heavy. I find it quite buildable too - depending on how much you use, you can go for a very subtle glowy look, or build it up for a full coverage, flawless appearance. It contains no SPF so it's my go-to for whenever I'm off on a night out or any event where I'll be taking photographs - it pictures really nicely and blurs out imperfections in an instant. Whilst it's not a dewy foundation as the name would suggest, I love the subtle glow it gives to my skin - it provides that much coveted airbrush finish whilst not appearing too matte or one-dimensional. <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/nars-sheer-glow-foundation-full-review.html">I have a full review of it here.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Yves Saint Laurent // Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation // £30.50 // <a href="http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Yves+Saint+Laurent+Le+Teint+Touche+%C3%89clat+foundation/170441104,default,pd.html&$$ja=cgid:8743662955%7Ctsid:44970%7Ccid:176503675%7Clid:82089564115%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:45451833235%7Crnd:3140268699240858643%7Cdvc:c%7Cadp:1o4%7Cmt:%7Cbku:1">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was the first high-end foundation I truly fell in love with. In fact, I have an ancient review of it from over 2 years ago (you can f<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/yves-saint-laurent-le-teint-touche.html">ind it here</a>) and I'm still head over heels in love with it now. This really is my perfect everyday, any time of year foundation and the fact I've never been without a bottle since I first bought it speaks volumes. It's perfect for dull skin days as it instantly awakens your complexion and gives you such a healthy, radiant 'lit from within' appearance. A lot of people comment on the wear time with this foundation but I actually find it quite long-lasting...provided you apply a good primer beforehand (it works very well with Loreal's Studio Secrets Primer which I have a review of <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/my-go-to-face-base-loreal-studio.html">here</a>) you're good to go and I've never had any issues with it. It looks fresh all day. It blends seamlessly into the skin so its perfect if you want the natural look, and it also contains SPF so it's great for use through summertime. It feels almost weightless on the skin due to the moisturising, light consistency (very good for dry skin days) and has a truly buildable finish. I also love the packaging - it's very weighty, feels expensive and just screams luxury. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Benefit // Big Easy BB Cream // £27.50* // <a href="http://www.lookfantastic.com/benefit-big-easy-foundation/10922292.html?utm_source=googleprod&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=gp_nailcare&affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJoxewziYTaRRf7DDY-U--wsMVWshoeWxIR3FvZPy_TIaAnsq8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'll admit that this one wasn't an instant winner for me. I have a <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/benefit-big-easy-bb-cream.html">full review</a> from a while back (<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/benefit-big-easy-bb-cream.html">link</a>) and although I liked it, it's obvious in my review that I wasn't completely sold. However, as soon as the height of summer rolled around and I jetted away to hotter climates - my opinion of it soared. I actually featured this is my '<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/8-summer-saviours-holiday-makeup-hair.html">summer saviours' post here</a>, and it's definitely my go-to base for warmer months. It's so easy to use as you just apply with your fingers and it melts into the skin, blending easily and providing a matte finish. It might not for you if you have dry skin as it can cling if you haven't had time to moisturise properly beforehand, however, if you're looking for something to balance the skin and control oil - this is a complete winner. I wore this in Greece when I went on a day trip as I was aware I'd be in a few photographs and didn't want to go completely bare skinned - and even though it was super hot outside, my skin looked near perfect all day without feeling weighed down whatsoever - it definitely does a top job at controlling shine and the high SPF factor came in very handy. This is a good one if you're rushing about travelling or have a long day at work ahead, but for me it has to be my suitcase essential and it will certainly be my partner in crime for next summer. It served me well this year!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Bourjois // 123 Perfect CC Cream // £7.69 // <a href="http://www.feelunique.com/p/Bourjois-123-Perfect-CC-Cream-30ml?utm_source=GoogleBaseUK&utm_medium=gen&option=18704&aff=mrn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+-+Suppliers_Other&mkwid=fR2psPXE_dc&pcrid=51359796639&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwPCjBRDZp9LWno3p7rEBEiQAGj3KJo6zB6ZmTvUrlV_FbVeQkXXVIPwh1GGX8CT-xYnxwIYaArzT8P8HAQ">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, this is a product that's featured a few times on my blog - I have a review of it in my recent <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/drugstore-gems-recent-finds.html">'Drugstore Gems' post here </a>and also featured it in a <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/a-selection-of-bourjois-goodies.html">Bourjois Releases post here</a> if you want to read up more about it. This product seriously wowed me. It's very similar to the YSL Touche Eclat Foundation in terms of consistency and even smells similar. I've been using this quite a bit just recently as I find it provides me with a good coverage at the same time as keeping any dry areas feeling moisturised - it covers blemishes surprisingly well and works amazingly at covering dark circles. If I want a good coverage but don't fancy spending time applying my Nars Sheer Glow - I always opt for this as it's just a little easier and quicker. There's just something about it that works wonders for my skin and it gives me such a dewy yet flawless coverage. I always apply a touch of powder to ensure it stays put but again, provided I've prepped my skin properly - the wear-time is really impressive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There's definitely a few more foundations I'll be testing in the new year. I have Armani's Luminious Silk right at the top of my wish list, as well as Laura Mercier's Silk Creme and BareMinerals' Original Powder foundation. I'll be sure to do an updated post if these manage to make it into my foundation favourites in 2015...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What are your favourite foundations?</b></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-66816518627423441252014-12-27T16:02:00.000+00:002014-12-27T16:02:59.626+00:00Monthly Favourites | December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Evenin' all! I do hope you've all had an amazing Christmas. I don't know about you but it's gone far too quick for me. I love the whole build up to the big day and the past few weeks really do seem to have flown by - I don't feel as if I've had chance to fully take it all in. It's always over in the blink of an eye. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're now onto the dregs of the Quality Street tin (the ones that nobody likes) and I can't help but feel slightly sad that I won't be able to pop into Costa for a cheeky orange hot chocolate anymore. Anyway, post-Christmas glum-ness aside, I thought I'd put together my final favourites post of the year. I wasn't going to do a December favourites this month considering I'm in the process of typing up my '2014' collective posts, but it seemed a shame not to to sum up the final month of the year with a few bits and pieces...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Chanel // Soleil Tan De Chanel 'Bronze Universel' // £32.00 //<a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123152510599?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=6314269&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=6314269&gclid=Cj0KEQiA5K-kBRDZ9r71gOvlxOMBEiQAwkK52Ktx8WMdXFG-YduSDZ1UNoTe6HylecyiqzVvZixMY-waAvdA8P8HAQ"> Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I adore this product - it's one that I <i>always</i> go back to. It's such a nice little touch of luxury to have in my collection. I've been using it as an all over bronzing base recently and it just looks so much m</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ore natural as opposed to a powder bronzer. I've been buffing this into the skin (after applying my foundation) using my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and it just gives the most amazing, smooth and flawless finish. I concentrate it around the outside of my face - buffing into the sides of the forehead, temples and outer cheekbones to give a naturally bronzed and sculpted look. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Mac Lipstick in 'Half n Half' // £15.50 // <a href="http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/shaded/168/310/Lipstick/index.tmpl">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oo not another 90s inspired nude lip! Although I'm a big fan of the infamous 'Velvet Teddy' lipstick, I much prefer the constancy of 'Half n Half' and think it's very much an unsung hero of the Mac lipstick world. It's virtually the same shade - maybe slightly lighter - but is much creamier and glossy due to the 'amplified' finish. I adore it. For a closer look, head on over to<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/my-mac-lipstick-collection.html"> my 'Mac Lipstick Collection' post here. </a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Boutique at Sainsburies Lip Gloss in 'All the Tea in China' // £6.00 //</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You've got to hand it to Sainsburies - they've got an absolutely smashing lip gloss here! It's more akin to a lip laquer in terms of application and pigmentation - the colour is almost opaque (if you've ever tried Tanya Burr's range I'd liken it to those) and is so understated and classy. I bought this a few months ago and it looked far too 'foundation-y' on my summer skin, but now that I'm paler it works a treat. It works well on its own, giving a beautifully glossy nude appearance, but also works well layered on top of brown toned lipsticks. The taupe hint really compliments brown undertones and looks very on trend for the season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Arran Aromatics 'Honey and Lemon' Lip Balm // £3.50* // <a href="http://www.arranaromatics.com/honey-lemon-lip-balm-with-uv-protector/">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've already featured this product in a<a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/winter-warmers-from-arran-aromatics.html?showComment=1418161777543"> recent post here,</a> but I just had to include it again. It's become my bedside staple! I apply it every night before bed and let it work it's magic overnight. I'll also apply it in the morning before I apply my makeup as it sinks in really nicely, instantly making the lips feel smoother and perfectly prepped for further product. </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It gives a lovely glossy appearance to the lips and works well over lipsticks if you're applying it through the day.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The scent is so soothing and gentle, and the screw-top pot is so handy and lightweight - I've thrown it into my handbag on a couple of occasions and much prefer this over a typical lip-balm stick (they're often too waxy for my liking). This one is super quenching and treats dry lips in an instant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Illamasqua Powder Blush in 'Lover' // £21.50 // <a href="http://www.asos.com/Illamasqua/Illamasqua-Powder-Blusher/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=809047&istCompanyId=6f061ed0-7427-4b6c-bb90-987c0bd08468&istItemId=wtwaiwtrt&istBid=tztx&affid=14173&channelref=google+shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=18283950120&utm_content=&utm_campaign=&cvosrc=ppc.google.18283950120&network=g&mobile=&search=1&content=&creative=53983265061&ptid=18283950120&adposition=1o1&gclid=Cj0KEQiA5K-kBRDZ9r71gOvlxOMBEiQAwkK52CMt7h4E4fVAT16t1bOBbZwZOE_tA4OQLuV0RNkU_XMaAgl18P8HAQ">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really didn't expect to see this blush popping up on the bloggles anytime soon considering it's one of my summer favourites. However, a year or so ago, I remember really enjoying it through the winter months. I'd wear it to my uni lectures in a bid to make myself look slightly more awake (even if i felt far from it!) and I just find the finish of it so lovely. It's a gorgeous bright pastel-y peach which works so well on both tanned and pale skin - the matte finish is also really flattering and gives that perfect 'flawless' finish. I have to say this is one of my most loved blushes ever - it might even be my all-time favourite. There's something about it that just works for me and despite being quite a bright, unique shade - i find it so easy to wear.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter / Illuminator (LE) </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ahh I hate featuring Limited Edition products in posts because there's no way of providing links (sorry!). This was actually a summer product released a couple of years ago so I apologise for the lack of availability. I never actually used it when I first got it (my mum gave it to me) simply because I didn't think it was my sort of shade - however, I've really been enjoying it recently. I've mainly been using it on my décolletage for evenings out as it just makes your skin look so delicate and perfected. It looks lovely on the tops of the cheekbones though, especially when worn with a matte blush and subtle bronzer. The rose gold colour is really pretty at this time of year and not to mention the packaging - the matching rose gold compact is just beautiful.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInI6d-biTkgZ08YS_IJEuR54pL7vIc-js5zvbhzaN9mz23qC_Cc8x_Pg91EcfBUlzfGcJLIgwGkd6Lr7XgDmI4PdwUYgV4MkQy9NZsfSeJgjHmidTw1uAvYZosZpQX2bzEeRfUlDMN-Q/s1600/DSC07772e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><span style="color: #444444;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Blush in 'Whisper' // £17.25 // <a href="http://www.beautybay.com/cosmetics/janeiredale/purepressedblush?utm_source=google%2Bshopping&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=shopping%2Bfeed&selectedSku=JAIR0060F&ctyid=gb&mkwid=dLZIEUip_dc&pcrid=51605508615&gclid=Cj0KEQiA-uWjBRChu9ie05m5ipgBEiQAuHIuK6DF4dH15Xmw9euNRYGh35gN-FICXgZp0ExXAsGgd0QaAr2F8P8HAQ">Link</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I won't say too much about this blush as I already have a <a href="http://birdle.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/glowy-winter-skin-jane-iredale-blush.html">full post here</a> - but I adore this gorgeous pinky-coral shade from Jane Iredale. The blush has a slight sheen running through it which is really fab for dull winter skin. I've been alternating a lot between this shade and my Illamasqua blush, often applying it over my Benefit 'Majorette' cream blush which I featured in last month's favourites. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiid3TdYSYgzFIW4aKdIUQ6-VsY_8PaT4qGEqyaDqjfWPJb8qLwoULk5b-2JJHzE4Y55YshdGJ7y5mrRf_XfkKpsdj-FsteEdWXDCq1ftZLIMAcrGvNboGM2jAxCI9Vr8MWQQPmfGL0_k/s1600/swatches3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiid3TdYSYgzFIW4aKdIUQ6-VsY_8PaT4qGEqyaDqjfWPJb8qLwoULk5b-2JJHzE4Y55YshdGJ7y5mrRf_XfkKpsdj-FsteEdWXDCq1ftZLIMAcrGvNboGM2jAxCI9Vr8MWQQPmfGL0_k/s1600/swatches3.jpg" height="446" width="665" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Swatches L-R /</b>/ Chanel Bronze Universel // Illamasqua Lover // Jane Iredale 'Whisper' // Elizabeth Arden Illuminator // Mac 'Half n Half' // Boutique Gloss in 'All the Tea in China'</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Have you tried and loved any of these products? Is there anything here that tickles your fancy!?</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-426068761724643576.post-58003995576548556212014-12-24T18:00:00.000+00:002014-12-24T18:06:08.758+00:00Merry Christmas! | My New Job & Festive Chit-Chat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So then, hands up...who's broken the rule of Christmas and prematurely delved in to the Roses tin? I have no shame in admitting that I'm currently typing away nibbling on what I'm sure will be the first of many golden barrels and I feel absolutely no guilt whatsoever. I suspect it won't be long until I give in to the Matchmakers temptation either. Food aside, I wasn't planning on a 'chatty' Christmas post this year but spur of the moment seems to have grabbed me. Personally, I always enjoy writing posts like these - I can just ramble on without any planning whatsoever and it's always nice to look back through my archives and remember where I was and what was going on in my life when I typed certain posts. Is anyone else like that? Isn't it funny how your blog becomes a diary without you even realising it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I must admit I haven't felt particularly festive this year - this isn't like me whatsoever as I'm usually the first person to adorn a santa hat and get everybody singing festive crap (if any of my old uni lot are reading this I'm sure they'll vouch for the festive singing...) There's been a couple of things that put a bit of a lid on it all at the beginning of the month and even though I've tried my very hardest to keep my Christmas spirits up (which has involved many a trip to Costa and aimless walks around the Christmas market) I must admit it's been a struggle this year. As well as a few personal things, I also found myself without a job at quite possibly the worst time of year to be out of work. I'm lucky in the sense that I've had some trusty savings to fall back on and I've still been able to treat friends and family to a certain extent - but if you've been in a similar position to me on the run up to Christmas you'll know exactly what I mean... you end up feeling a little bit left out of it all. The worry completely takes over the festive spirit and all you can think about is 'what on earth am i going to do when this is all over?'... you realise just how much having a job contributes to your overall happiness and it's exaggerated even more at this time of year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>However,</i></b> it seems as if the Christmas fairies decided that it was time something good came my way - because after months and months of worry I'm so chuffed to say that I NOW HAVE A NEW JOB! I kid you not, it was the best Christmas present ever and it meant so much to me (so much so that if anybody saw me in the city centre yesterday they probably felt a little bit sorry for me - because I actually cried. In public) It was just a complete mix of happiness and relief and I couldn't have wished for anything better. Honestly - if I could have made a list of everything I wanted my new job to offer - this one ticked it all. It's a little further out of the way than expected but as I'm not the most confident driver in the world, I took it as a positive as it will mean I'm using my car a great deal more. I've promised myself I'll treat myself to a new Beth-mobile if all goes well and I get over my little driving hurdle... We shall see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the meantime, I can't wait to read everybody's Christmas themed posts - I'm pretty sure I'll be adding to my wish list very soon and of course, there's all the '2o14 Favourites' to come! I'll certainly be treating myself to a few new bits and bobs in January as a little pat on the back to myself for getting to where I wanted to be before the new year - i didn't expect everything to fall in to place so close to Christmas! I've spent the morning taking photographs all ready for my 'best of 2014' posts and I've been putting together some new year themed rambles (as cliche as they are, who doesn't make a new years resolution or two?!) - so keep your eyes peeled for those. Until then, I wish you all </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a very </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MERRY CHRISTMAS </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- i hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow and the old bearded chappy brings you lots of lovely things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Lots of love, Beth xox</b></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/342/A610A91EBDEE27D1D15381A3E05B271F.png" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;"/></a></div>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02313992788592194509noreply@blogger.com19