A Little Effort Will Go A Long Way With A Face Like Yours: CCO Goodies.

So here's the thing, I put myself on a self induced shopping ban on Wednesday...It was going so well, until my Mum rang me up on Sunday morning and asked If I would like to go SHOPPING!!

How could I possibly go shopping and not buy a single thing? How could a forsake the pull of a CCO!

(l-r Dame Edna Highlighting Powder in Spectacular, Et tu Bouquet? E/S, Circa Plum Pigment, Twinks E/S, Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer, MAC Barbie Make Up Bag)

An eclectic mix of various past collections, Dame Edna, Barbie & A Rose Romance.

I've been after a teeny weeny make up case for my handbag for ages, I only really carry around lip products in the day so this is the perfect size, I picked it up for £5.00 so I'm happy!

(l-r Twinks, Bobbi Brown CC, Et Tu Bouquet?)

Twinks: It's a gorgeous maroon brown, blends easily and will be a lovely crease colour. 

Et Tu Bouquet?: This was a complete impulse buy, I love the name! It's a lovely nude pink but in my haste I failed to see this was a frost and the texture is a little gritty. 

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Ivory: I was going to purchase this concealer after I'd used up my current one, but I saw this for £11.00 at the CCO and decided to pick it up, It's so nice under the eyes and feels light even though it's amazing coverage! 

Circa Plum Pigment: I don't usually buy full pigments, but after the whole downsize fiasco I just had to pick up this stunning colour, It's a beautiful mushroom plum colour, perfect for a smoked up eye!!

 

Dame Edna Highlight Powder in Spectacular!

I LOVE this packaging, It may be the reason why I bought it!

It has a really shimmery surface but underneath its a matte highlight powder, I'm not sure how much I want to use it though, it's just too pretty!!!

It came with a cute quote card that says "A little effort will go a long way with a face like yours"

So that's it guys, I hope you've had a good weekend, If you'd like to see swatches of these lets me know!!

Lots of Love, Laura xxx

Product Rave: Lush Retread Conditioner

Lush seems to be the brand "on the street" at the moment, and I suppose my own rekindled love for the brand has been fired by the constant stream of Lush lovers blogging and waxing lyrical on youtube about it.

I am a massive Lush bath fan but I've never been interested in their hair or skin products.

But due to my new found love of Lemony Flutter cuticle cream I wondered if I was missing out on wonderous things from Lush??

In fact, my decision was made for me when I was given a tub of Retread conditioner by my mum, who just wasn't using it enough.

First of all, the smell, It's strong...I thought it was going to knock me out.

But then I put it on my hair, It felt nice and left my hair feeling clean, ok so far.

I know you're probably thinking, why is this a product rave!!!??

I only really noticed it once I began to comb my hair through before I dried it, it was manageable soft and once It was dry felt really really clean. The smell had subsided to a pleasant herbal note, and kept my hair shiny and silky all day. I'm going to use this once a week as a treat as I don't want to use it all up!

My first adventure into the world of Lush haircare has been a roaring success, I'm currently on a shopping ban until I use up a MOUNTAIN of half used products, so it may be a while until I try out anything else, but do you have any 'must try' products from Lush???

Lots of Love,

Laura xxx

NOTD - Barry M Mulberry Pink

Mulberry Pink by Barry M

This is actually on my sister as I've become a bit addicted to 'You Don't Know Jacques!' by OPI and nobody wants to see the same varnish over and over :)

It fits perfectly with the pastel trend and it's a bargain! What more could you want!

Laura xxx

My Favourite Spring/Summer Trend.

So we all know that the Autumn/Winter 2010 shows are in full swing at the moment, but I want to share with you one of my favourite trends from the Spring/Summer 2010 shows.

Pastel Eyes and Romantic Waves: Versace Spring Summer 2010.

(www.elle.com)

My sister came to me and asked if I would do this look for her for a night out and she let me take a few snaps of the results.

HAIR:

Versace went for a messy centre part with loose curls, I achieved the look on hannah simply by spritzing a little heat protectant and then curled her front layers loosely with GHD's.

I just spritzed it with shine spray to finish.

MAKE UP:

The all important part!!

Versace kept skin glowing and fresh so I used NARS Sheer Glow all over applied with a clean sponge, the lightly dusted some MAC MSF over the chin and nose.

I then used 'Phloof' Eyeshadow from MAC over her cupids bow and as a cheek highlight.

I didn't use a blush on this look as it's kept quite pale, instead Hannah's natural freckles and colour came through.

For the eyes I used Bare Study Paint Pot and With a MAC 224 brush sweeped a light lilac from Ruby and Millie all over the lid then in the crease I used 'Flash' from Urban Decay again applied quite roughly with a 224, this look isn't about perfect, it's about soft and pretty!!

To finish I applied 'Phloof' in the inner corner and carried it on down onto the lower lash line.

Eyebrows are kept natural with just a quite brush through and clear brown gel.
For lips I just patted a bit of Myth lipstick onto her lips, but as she has really pigmented lips it still comes across as a pretty nude pink.

What is your favourite Spring Summer Trend???

Love, Laura xxx

Quick Fire Review: Happy Blooming Bath Melt

On Friday I decided to indulge in a quick post work dash around the shops and inevitably I stumbled into Lush...

I'm still making my way through a mountain of Christmas/Sale stuff so picking up anything new really wasn't my intention, until I laid eyes on two new products that have come out recently.

Spacegirl Bath Bomb & Happy Blooming Bath Melt swiftly made it into a basket, and I can safely say these are my two favourite smelling products EVER. (Hello Cherry Bakewell & Frosties Sweets!)

But back to Happy Blooming.

What's The Hype??

"The happy, mouth-watering, fruity fragrance is down to Simon's ‘Cherry Chops’, named in honour of beautiful cherry blossoms. You get three baths out of each one – just snap off one segment per soak – and its blend of calamine, ylang and cocoa butter will leave your skin smooth and non-greasy. We think it’s blooming marvellous, and we’re sure you will, too"

First Impressions??

It smells like Cherry Bakewell, I'm in love!! I could smell this all day and not get bored of it. The "melt" part of this product is really evident from the moment you handle it as it started to melt in my hand, So handle with care if you buy this, or you may find you have no product left for your bath!

The Acid Test:

It created a wonderful, sweet, indulgent bath and one segment was more than enough. It felt moisturising but compared to my ultimate melt, Star Melt, my skin didn't feel as smooth.

Where & How Much??

Available in Lush Stores Nationwide & http://www.lush.com/

LUSH FANS LISTEN UP!!

I had a nice chat with a lovely young man in Lush who let me know that from March, Lush will be releasing a new product a WEEK!! So keep your noses to the ground and sniff out those new releases, He wasn't sure how long this kick will last but keep your eye on your local store to see what they come up with.

Love, Laura xxx

Heads Up

If you want a serious magazine beauty fix, go and check out the March Issue of InStyle.

Total product lust overload!!

Laura xxx

My Everyday Essentials.

I've seen this tag floating around and I thought I'd show you all what I rely on daily!

FACE

(l-r Nars Sheer Glow, Fleur Power Blush, Studio Sculpt Concealer, Quickie Blush, MSF Natural)

Foundation

After many disappointments and brief love affairs with various foundations I've found two foundations that I always know will provide a great finish without much work.

Nars Sheer Glow & Max Factor Second Skin

At the opposite end of the price scale, but I love the equally, If i'm in a massive rush I do prefer Max Factor applied with a clean make up sponge as it's idiot proof perfection!! Sheer Glow takes a little bit longer to blend and finish but it looks amazing once on!
I actually finished my Max Factor earlier this week, I think i'm going to get a new one!

Concealer

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer

I had a brief fling with SS Foundation and decided it was too heavy for me, but the concealer gives me perfect coverage when I need it, it covers everything I need it to.

I've been using this under my eyes and It works well but I'm on the look out for a lighter, more fluid concealer, any suggestions?!

Powder

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

I dust this lightly over my foundation with a 187 to elimate and extra shine on my chin and nose, I use this over tinted moisturiser for those days when I don't want too much make up on :)

Blush

MAC Fleur Power & Urban Decay Afterglow in Quickie

Both wearable pinks that i'm forever faithful to!

EYES

 

Eye Primer

I'm a MAC Paint Pot addict, I use Bare Study almost daily but adore Rubenesque & Girl Friendly too.

I picked up Moss Scape a while ago and think it's devine for doing a more smokey eye.

Eyeshadow

I must admit I'm pretty neutral with my make up in the day, I'd rather grab a few more moments in bed  than mess around with crazy colours!

I seem to go for the same few colours everyday:

Phloof! - Perfect in the inner corner or all over the lid to brighten up the eye if i'm tired! (Middle Left)

Orb - My perfect daily highlight (Top Right)

Jest - The most wearable shadow I own. (Middle Right)

Mascara

I'm a bit of a mascara addict but at the moment I'm loving Maybelline Lash Stiletto & I'll always love Dior Iconic :)

LIPS

 

Lipstick

I've only had this for a few week but I've used it almost everyday.

MAC Shy Girl.

So wearable and subtle enough for any situation.

Lipgloss

I'm not a massive lipgloss wearer but I reach for

Benefit - Her Glossiness (Didn't Hear It From Me)

the most!!

THE BEST OF THE REST

Clinique DD Moisturising Lotion - I use this as my primer, I'm addicted!
Feline Kohl Power (MAC) - I don't use this everyday, but I always grab it when I want a bit of a smudgy lined eye.
Maybelline Colour Sensational Ambre Rose - My ultimate drugstore lippie.
MAC Grand Entrance - Probably my favourite eyeshadow ever, but it's LE so I'm trying to limit usage!!!

Right, What are YOUR "go to" products???

Lots of Love,

Laura xxxxx