Cross Your Fingers, Hold Your Toes.

Just a very quick post to show you how i'm wearing my nails today. 

Simply apply two coats of Essie Sand Tropez and add a quick black eyeliner cross to whichever fingernail you like to add a simple accent. I chose the ring finger but it's really up to you. 

How are you wearing your nails today? 

Laura x

Favourite Autumn Shades: Nails.

So, can we officially call it Autumn now? It's like the switch has been flipped this week and we've been thrown right into chunky knit, hot chocolate and whacking on the fire territory. 

Before you think this is a rant, I LOVE IT. 

So, like any self confessed beauty fanatic would do, I wrapped my four favourite autumn polish shades up in a cosy blanket (You all would do that, right?) and decided to let you all know why I love them. 

OPI You Don't Know Jacques. 

Yes, it's a griege. Yes, It's been done to death, resurrected, then killed off again. But it really is the easiest shade to whack on when the weather turns a bit gloomy. It's a staple. I'm not saying you need this particular shade, but something similar will see you through the season in sensible style. 

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark. 

Hell, this isn't just one of my favourite Autumnal shades, it's one of my all time favourites. Effortlessly chic in one coat, I almost look forward to the end of summer just so I can pop this on. 

Illamasqua Vice.

It's a rich raspberry shade with a delicious wax finish. Released with the A/W 2011 collection, Theatre of the Nameless, it's a perfect splash of colour without feeling too old hat. Stunning with a half moon manicure done with a high shine topcoat.   

MeMeMe 84 Delicate.

The perfect antidote to the previous high end offerings, this cool purple shade far surpasses it's reasonable price tag in the sophistication stakes. If I'm not sure what I'm going to wear or what look I'm going for, I'll almost always reach for this shade as it has the uncanny ability to blend well with any outfit I throw together. I shy away from this during summer as I'd much rather play with obnoxious neon shades, so welcome back into the fold Delicate...

What are you top autumnal picks? 

Laura x

Like, Love, Loath #2

LIKE 

Weleda One Step Cleanser & Toner 

I've been using this as a bit of a lazy back up if I don't want to go through my entire cleansing regime but don't want to fall back on the naughty face wipe. All it takes is a quick swipe of a cotton pad and a quick rinse of water and I feel happy enough to hit the hay. I don't see this taking place of my proper cleanser but it's a good quick fix.

LOVE

Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Quickie

I used to wear this all the time back in the good old uni days, and I've only recently resurrected by love affair with it. As the summer has mainly been all about peach and coral tones, this cool toned pink hasn't really had a chance. But now the seasons appear to be shifting it looks lovely with a simple cat eye and a pink balm on the lips.

LOATH

MAKE UP FOREVER HD FOUNDATION

The fact that I spent a large amount of euros on this only annoys me even more that I really don't like it. I think this is partly down to my choice of shade (just slightly too yellow) but I haven't found a single way to apply this without it looking caked on and streaky. I've tried a multitude of brushes, sponges, just my plain old fingers and they all look less than HD. It's just not for me.

Do you agree/disagree with any of these products? 

Let me know! 

xxx

September Glossybox.

As if it's Glossybox time again! 

September promised a box full of 'rising stars', and whilst the beautifully illustrated box by Maggie Li ticked all the right boxes, the contents fell slightly short of the mark. 

In my box: 

Lady Gaga Fame Fragrance 1.2 ml. (30ml-100ml £25-£61)

Rodial Glamoxy Snake Serum & 5 Minute Facial (£29 for Snake Serum, £10.95 5 Minute Facial) 

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream (£25/15ml) 

Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream (£9/ 50ml)

Biosilk Silk Therapy (£15.80/ 50ml) 

Whilst I was intregued by Lady Gaga's offering to the celebrity perfume market, It was different to what I expected from her. I'd imagined something more akin to Illamasqua's daring signiture scent, Freak. Something slightly darker, daring and sensual. However, Fame's sweet top notes (honey & apricot) offer little in the way of lasting power and tend to burn away after hardly any time at all. The black colour of the liquid is a gaga-esque quirk but more smoke and mirrors than a memorable scent. 

Rodial is a brand I've always regarded with slight trepidation. With many products claiming wonder results, I was excited to try, yet sceptical of the results. The name Snake Serum is a classic example of Rodial branding: Exotic and slightly mystical. As I'm not quite at the splurge on anti-aging at all cost period of my life I'm not the most qualified person to critique the product. Yet it has a nice smell, felt smooth on the skin and didn't do anything untoward. However, I really did like the 5 Minute Facial, having only used it once, I won't be raving just yet, but It's a good start.  

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream is a pleasant addition but isn't blowing me away. I always welcome a natural product in my Glossybox as I've found some really good natural brands this way. I'll get back to you on this one. 

Now here is where I'm slightly perplexed. Taking this months theme into account, The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream appears to be a bit of a red herring. The smell of this stuff is wildly nostalgic, yet is being hailed as a rising star. Bizarre. 

Finally, Biosilk Silk Therapy left me most confused. The packaging and instructions are in French, yet made in the USA. It was only under closer inspection I realised it was a leave in treatment. I'm yet to give it a go so I'll reserve judgement. 

The Round Up. 

I'm sorry Glossybox, but this month's box didn't really float my boat. The box itself was the most exciting thing about it, and I'll look forward to using it as pretty storage...There's always next month. 

Laura xxx

*PR Sample.

New Brush Storage.

I posted a quick picture of my new brush holder on Instagram and it got a lot of interest, so I thought I'd just do a quick post about it. 

I've been using a couple of storage tins filled with rice for an absolute age and I felt it was just taking up too much room and after accidently knocking over the tins one too many times (clumsy) the rice had to go. 

I wasn't particularly looking for a brush holder when I was browsing the home section of TK Maxx (Which by the way might be the most dangerous place in the world if you're a home furnishing loser like me) and spotted this languishing at the back of a shelf. 

It really does fit the bill. It has separate compartments for my different brushes and if that isn't good enough, it spins for easy access! 

For little under a fiver, this really is my new favourite thing. 

Laura xx

How Much Is My Face Worth?

I've seen this post floating around recently and I found them all really interesting. I decided this might be a good motivator for my self imposed beauty spending ban. 

So lets see how expensive my everyday face is! 

Origins Vitazing £27.00

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer £4.19

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural £21.00 

YSL Creme de Blush in Rose £29.00

ELF Mineral Blush in Coral £5.00 

*HD Brow Palette in Vamp £16.63

*HD Brow Beater £14.95

*Blink + Go Long Lasting Mascara £12.95 

*All for Eve, Eve's Balm £4.95 

Grand Total: 

£135.67

I must admit, I'm a little shocked by how much just a very basic face of make up appears to cost! If you added in the eyeshadow/primer/lipstick etc that I usually chuck on if I'm going out, the cost soon escalates. 

A definite motivator to keep using up my products and downsize my collection! 

How much is your face worth? 

Laura xx

*Products marked with an asterix have been provided for consideration.

August Empties.

Without sounding too beauty bonkers, there is nothing quite like the satisfaction you get after hoarding empty products and throwing them away after writing about them...anyway. 

I've managed to finish up a respectable amount of products through July/August, here are my thoughts. 

Origins Vitazing.

Without going on too much about this little gem, I use it everyday without fail and haven't touch foundation for months because of it. Not surprisingly I already had a back up waiting in the wings when this finally bit the dust. 

The Body Shop Fuzzy Peach Bath & Shower Gel. 

This was a lovely product and smelt divine, but I'm a fickle creature and have far too many shower gels to explore, so I'm not sure i'll be picking up another one. It was good whilst it lasted though. 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir. 

After raving about this facial mist, I'm really not sure how much it was doing to my skin now I haven't used it for a while. It's a refreshing menthol hit when you spray it on your face, but whether it actually does any long term good? I'm undecided. 

MUFE Smoky Lash. 

I really do love this mascara and I was sad to see it finally dry up. But I think i'll wait until I've ploughed through the rest of my never ending supply before I pick it up again. Maybe it's a good thing it's such a pain to get hold of in the UK! 

Label M Dry Shampoo. 

This little travel size has come in handy this summer, but I far prefer the coloured version from Label M. I'll be sticking with that and avoiding grey hair in the future. 

Boots Gorgeous Feet Foot Spray. 

A random addition but I've been on my feet constantly recently and this is a nice little treat. I might look into picking it up again! 

VO5 Ultimate Hold Hair Spray 

Hmm, It does the job but I think I prefer other brands. I didn't particularly like it but was determined to use it up. Not offensive but not my favourite. 

What have you been using up this month? I for one feel cleansed! 

Laura xx