♥The Beauty Dressing Room♥

Nailene Skinny French Tip Pen

2012-02-25T10:23:00.001Z

On a recent asda trip I picked up this.

My sister has been getting her nails done with the Shallac Gel polish and I'm going to get mine done, but not for like a week and a half because I'm going away then so it will be nice to have them all fresh.

Why am I telling you this? Because I have trimmed all my nails back to get them ready and therefore would like something that will make them look nice in the interim.

Cue nailene pen!

I'm so full of a cold at the moment that I am stuck in bed bored out of my mind so I decided I'd have a go to entertain myself this morning.

Here's the result...

Pretty good eh!? I applied a pink polish over the top so it wouldn't be too white and I'm going to go around the edges with nail polish remover to tidy up too, but I think all in all a good result!

Totally recommended!

Beautiful Jumper H&M

2012-02-21T21:39:00.000Z

I love this jumper.

Perfect for wearing casual with loose jeans and converse as well as for dressing up with skinny jeans and heeled ankle boots.

Personally I love a bit of smart casual and think this fits the bill perfectly.

£29.99 xx

Barbara Daly Lip Balm

2012-02-17T23:37:00.001Z

Hey all!

I wanted to do a quick review on my favourite lip balm of the moment. I've been using it for around a month so far and it's so much better than the others I had been using.

I find that in winter my lips get really dry and horrible looking. I think it's part of getting older... But also I think it's just the weather and other conditions drying my skin and lips out.

So when this was on offer I thought I would give it a go given there was a hint of colour - which my pale lips need!

So try I did and love it did I also! It's a pretty coral colour that's ever so faint on the lips.

It's not sticky and your hair doesn't stick to it in the wind, yet it has a similar effect to gloss.

I think I paid around £4 for it but can't for the life of me find the receipt! Guess you'll have to check it out next time you're in Tesco!!

Spring Summer 2012 Fashion Ideas

2012-01-28T16:07:00.000Z

Yes, it's that time. The time when I start to look online for inspiration for summer clothing. I don't know why, as I am skint and should be saving. Plus I can't buy any more clothes until I get back down in weight so it's naughty of me really!

But it is sooo tempting. I thought I would share my favourites with you anyway so you could feel tempted too...

Let me know which you like best too - I love a bit of online window shopping! xx

Matalan - totally my favourite outfits here

Above = My absolute fave of all!

La Redoute

New Look

Gym wear anyone!? Haha!

Next

Love this dress!

River Island

Ted Baker - just gorgeous

TK Maxx - loving how lady like these are

FOTD - no eyemakeup - eeeeeeeeeeek!

2012-01-28T14:53:00.000Z

The term "FOTD" is used loosely here.

The purpose of this post is to demonstrate how some products really can make your skin look fabulous. My hair is scraped back and unstraightened. I have no eye makeup on and haven't even coloured in the eyebrows.

So for me this is really really bare faced. I would never let people normally see me like this!

However, sometimes it's good to come clean and show you things like how straight my eyelashes really are!

So here goes...

I used:-

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Laura Mercier Under Eye Concealer
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
Lily Lolo Flawless Silk

What I like about this picture is that my skin looks smooth and healthy. The dewy(ish) finish really is down to Lily Lolo - I swear by Flawless Silk for making my skin look pretty.

I would never leave the house like this and this is the look I ended up with:-

Whilst I was happy with my makeup that day (lippie was applied later) what really struck me was that the bronzer and blush seemed to make my skin look duller. I always tend to use darker bronzers and blushers on my face because basically I believed you skin looked "dead" (as I MUA once described my sisters skin as because she didn't have enough blusher on - cheeky c"w) but I am really going to focus on using lighter blushers for a while to see if the above look can be kept.

What do you think ladies - have you found this at all? Any tips for flawless skin? Or pretty blush colours?

What I Love About iPhone Apps

2012-01-25T18:26:00.001Z

Ahhhh the fun you can have with photo applications these days. Certainly speeds up my train journey...

Here are some recent collage and instagram collaborations

And yes, they are of me... I will try and take some more interesting non-me photos soon!!!!

Any one else use these apps?? I know some of you do actually as I follow you on instagram!! Leave me your username if not as I love being nosey!!

My Foundation Collection

2012-01-24T20:34:00.001Z

Barbara Daly Face Lift Cream

2012-01-23T17:06:00.000Z

Like with foundation, when it comes to moisturiser I am constantly on the look out for something better. So when I was in Tesco last week I couldn't resist giving this a try when it was reduced from £7 to £4.67.

The cream is said to have anti ageing properties with SPF 10 and is said to be good for all skin types.

You can wear it alone or under foundation. I personally opt for the latter.

You can see that there is an almost gold sheen to the moisturiser and flicks of shimmer. I know that this can be quite concerning in some products but with this I really like it.

The moisturiser is very moisturising without feeling greasy and makes my skin look much more alive. It looks luminous and glowing without being too sheeny. I have been using it both with and without primer and either way it works as a really good makeup base.

My foundation seems to cling to it well and blends nicely so overall a definite success!

I wouldn't say that I am no longer on the look out for another moisturiser as that will just never happen, but I am definitely wearing it daily at the moment and it has replaced my recent favourite lancome moisturiser so it must be doing some good!

A definite recommendation - it's cheap and works a treat!

Remember These..? (L'oreal Lip Glow)

2012-01-22T23:14:00.003Z

Just stumbled across these pictures of the L'oreal Studio Secrets Lip Glow from last year which I had intended to review for my blog. Does anyone actually use these? I remember really wanting the Clarins version in 2010 and never getting around to purchasing it and this seemed like another option in 2011.

I'll be honest with you. I never ever use this. Do any of you?

I purchased it because I wanted to try it and review, but when I actually started to use it I just thought that it wasn't that great and certainly wasn't worth replacing my usual lip balms/sticks for. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this and it certainly looks pretty, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to recommend. It doesn't look that great on my lips (just a bit glossy and not that different to my lip colour) and isn't overly moisturising (I'll be telling you about an amazing lip balm later this week though).

Overall. Not impressed ladies.

MAC Lipsticks in Cosmo and Hang Up

2012-01-21T10:36:00.000Z

Just before Christmas I purchased some new MAC lipsticks for all the parties etc. I asked for a creamy muted red shade and don't believe that I came away with that colour I had in mind but my description obviously wasn't that great. And despite that, I did like these colours when I gave them a quick swatch with the MUA.

The top colour, Cosmo, I like. I think it is a good colour for mixing and will look nice for lots of different occasions.

I am not completely sold on Hang Up though. I just hate how it applies on my lips. It looks darker than the swatch below if you apply it heavily, but I just can't because it ends up bleeding everywhere even when I put liner on. I just cannot get it to work for me! The bottom look is from applying with a lip brush. I'm not massively keen. Plus I think I will be too worried to wear it out of the house on the basis that it will no doubt end up all over my face!

What do you think ladies? Do any of you own these?

MAC Cosmo

MAC Hang Up

Definitely need to work on Hang Up more to try and get what I wanted out of it!

Have a great Saturday lovelies! x

Feel Unique Beauty Box - January 2012

2012-01-21T10:35:00.002Z

Yay! My beauty box arrived in the post yesterday. Had chance to do a quick scan before bed last night and here's what's included.

This month is totally about skin care in some ways it's not as exciting as some of the items I've seen before. I like a good mix and don't necessarily feel this is that, but I'm still keen to try everything out and for that reason it's probably a more useful box for me!

I'm most excited to try the Phyto conditioner as I used to use some of their hair care products years ago and they really helped my hair.

I tried the cleanser last night and I liked it, although it felt a teeny bit like taking my makeup off with moisturiser because the product is so thick. My skin felt better this morning though! A lot less greasy!

Who else has this box this month??

Mary Kay Timewise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation

2012-01-17T19:57:00.000Z

The search for that perfect foundation, which suits your skin perfectly, is a tough one. Most of us will never truly reach the point where we believe we have found the true holy grail foundation.

Don't get me wrong. There are times when you feel you may be close, but the promise of something better on the market will usually get in the way.

Which leads me on to today's topic. Another foundation review for your consideration. This time, a new brand for me - Mary Kay. I found this foundation as a sample from the latestinbeauty website. I only got the opportunity to try it over the previous weekend however I was very impressed with the result and will seriously consider purchasing this in a more shade appropriate colour.

First thoughts were that it instantly evened out my skin tone and texture. The foundation itself is not too thick and very blendable, but with the added benefit of very good coverage. Certainly a positive for me!

The colour, was a ghostlike white (shade Ivory 3 to be precise), however having seen their website it would appear there are quite a few more shades to choose from. That said, there does appear to be colours to suit darker skin so they could do with expanding the shade range all the same.

Aside from the colour though I like the finish it gave me and would say that it lasted most of the day. I have yet to try this during a working day, although I would imagine it would last pretty well.

Here is the way the foundation looks on the skin...

I love how matte it is. It keeps any shine at bay which is a real plus for me as my nose is terrible for being shiny no matter what I do.

I could also get away without using any concealer with this, although I used a little to brighten the under-eye area later on.

Have any of you tried this brand before? I am totally new to them although it seems like they do quite a bit. If you want to look the website is here. The foundation retails at £16.00

Time To Look After My Health

2012-01-10T18:30:00.001Z

I don't know about you but this time of year tends to come with a feeling of guilt, sometimes motivation and usually realisation.

For me I'm particularly feeling the latter. Motivation and guilt not so much, but realisation yes.

I'm 25, heavier, unfit and stuck in a rut of bad eating habits.

I blame my job with the hours and commute and general lifestyle. Fluttering from one place to the next and often just going home to sleep.

So I've decided even though it's always dark and later than I'd like when I get home - I'm going to make time to run as often as possible to get fitter. It's not a new year resolution but it is a step in the right direction to a healthier lifestyle.

So last night I went on my first run in a long time. I ran for 2 minutes and then walked for 2 repeatedly for just over half an hour. Now I can run for around 25 minutes straight at a steady pace, but I'm focussing on looking after my body by preventing injuries and building up to this time and working towards a distance, because although I can run for that long it leaves me so sore afterwards I end up unable to do anything for a week after and then I GIVE UP.

Not this time! I'm a little sore today but not too bad. So I'm going to continue with this routine throughout the week and then move up to 3 mins, 4 mins etc until I'm running properly.

So I will also now be writing about my fitness journey and how it's going as often as possible to give you an idea as to how it is going.

Happy Sunday Evening

2012-01-08T23:10:00.001Z

Hey ladies,

It's almost bed time for me and I haven't quite got back into the routine of work so I need to get my sleep. Despite desperately wanting to do other things. Why is it that inspiration always occurs late at night!? Happens to me all the time.

Anyway, I went a bit candle mad today so I am off to sleep to the scent of berry tea lights. Ikea specials for £1 something! True bargain.

I'll leave you with the image of my lovely candles so you may feel as relaxed as me! Night!

Holiday FOTD

2012-01-03T21:49:00.002Z

Hey lovelies!!

How are you? Hope you are side-stepping the depression that often ensues with this time of year!

As many of you will know - it has been ages since I have done a FOTD post. I used to do them quite a lot and really enjoy them, but these days I never have the time (poor me!). So I thought I would try and get back into the swing of things with a simple natural FOTD picture to start 2012.

I don't know about you but I find it really funny when I do these to look back on previous pictures and think about how much I have changed (or not changed), how I wear my hair, or how tired I look!! haha.

Anyway, here's the picture for your perusal ...

Definitely very on the simple side eh! It was actually a little more made up than this, but you know what these cameras are like! Desperately want a new one but no money!

I used:-
Mac Studio Fix Fluid Foundation in NC30 and Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Fresco
NARS Orgasm Blush
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine and MAC Lipstick in Hue
Costal Scents Warm Palette various Eyeshadows for eyes and eyebrows.

Thanks for looking ladies! Do any of you do FOTD posts? If so, send me your links - I would love to look!!! xxx

Party Like its 1999!!!

2011-12-30T19:12:00.001Z

Hello!!! Hope you are all having a great break (if you're lucky enough to be off) and that you had a great Xmas.

I would like to say thank you to all my loyal followers and welcome to my new ones. I was super chuffed to see I am now over 1000!! Was such a shock as I haven't been blogging since Christmas. Yay!

So I'll get back to blogging real soon but I'm going to continue chilling over the next few days. Following which there will be reviews, hauls, and FOTDs and more!!

In the meantime here's some pictures of what I've been doing mostly!! Yes, shopping and pictures of myself!!!

Hope you're having as girlie a time as me! Oh and I won't actually be going anywhere to celebrate NYE this year really. There was nothing worth doing where I live!!

Maybe next year!
Have a good one xxx

Feel Unique Beauty Box - December 2011

2011-12-18T23:19:00.001Z

So I finally took the plunge and signed up to the Feel Unique Beauty Box. This was my first box so I was excited to see what was in it, even though it felt like an age before it arrived in the post!

I think I would have been excited no matter what was in it but the good thing is there are actually things in this I will use and want to try. Goody!

As you can see, the items were as follows:-

TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Dust £9.35
Annick Goutal Mandragore Eau De Toilette Spray £62.05
Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser £21.00
Nails inc Nail Polish Colour £11.00
Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium 100% Organic Balm £3.49
Also, Living Nature once usage samples of cleanser, toning gel and nourishing day cream

I can't comment on my thoughts on any of these items yet other than the perfume, which I would say isn't really to my taste, but isn't in anyway offensive. I will certainly review the rest as soon as I have been able to try them properly. How exciting.

Anyone else got this box? What do you think? How does it compare to other beauty boxes?

Wrapping Up in Style

2011-12-18T12:13:00.001Z

Happy Sunday lovelies!! Hope you're all well.

I've been mad busy with the lead up to Xmas and work. Crazzzzeeeeee time. Bet you're the same!

At least Xmas is nearly here though. I'm hoping that the snow keeps away. There's just been a little dusting here but a lot of ice. And it's very chilli. Which meant I had to purchase a new hat on Friday. It's from a little boutique in Southport and I LOVE it. It's such a lovely peacock blue!

What kind of hats do you wear in winter if any?? It always depends on my mood and how brave I'm feeling too as I feel they are a bit of a statement!

Have a great Sunday and don't forget to enter my Xmas giveaway above if you haven't already!! It ends next week xxxx

My Christmas Party Dress

2011-12-10T18:24:00.001Z

So next week is my Christmas party and it's been near impossible to find something to wear!!! All the dresses out there don't seem to suit my shape AT ALL.

Anyway, here's what I have chosen... What do you think?? It's a 3 course meal and then dancing at a hotel in Manchester. Hope it's in keeping with what everyone else seems to wear - its always hard to know with work dos!

Wearing it with black tights and shoe boots so it's a little less girlie pretty!!

(It's from Warehouse)

Another IPhone Case

2011-12-07T16:34:00.001Z

So you will probably see from previous posts that I like to change my iPhone case every few months. I get a bit bored and I like things that suit my mood.

This time I made another purchase on eBay and my present case is just divine! It's the cutest thing ever!

I fell for it whilst searching for a rabbit one (which I am still getting) and just loved how kitsch it was!

I paid less than a fiver and it arrived in a week.

So how is it for use? It's sadly a bit of a pain in the bum. Like your favourite shoes that you can't walk in. The prob is that the casing covers the buttons and while it is ok for volume etc, I can't for the life of me lock my phone anymore!!! It's too think and won't press down!

So alas this case experience is likely to be very short lived as I am constantly in and out of my bag for my phone and defo need to lock it.

Ah well. Still cute though!!

Christmas Giveaway! (Ends 24.12.11)

2011-12-04T22:33:00.001Z

Anyone else excited for Christmas!? I am super excited! Only a couple of weeks to go! Yay!

So to celebrate Christmas I have picked up some lovely treats for one lucky reader. Yes, that's right - it's giveaway time again!

I wanted to say a big thank you to you to all my new and good old loyal followers who regularly read my giddy ramblings. I love sharing my thoughts, loves and inspiration with you and long may it continue.

Here are the winnings...

- Soap & Glory Body Scrub
- Body Shop Body Butter
- TRESemme Naturals Humidity Resistant Hair Spray
- TRESemme 24 hour Body Blow Dry Lotion
- L'oreal Elvive Repairing Hair Serum for split ends
- Lip Sticker
- NYX Purple Deep Purple and Prune Eyeshadow Palette
- MAC Zoom Lash, Champneys Lipgloss in Rose
- Boots Rose Bath Bomb
- Nails Inc Nail Polish
- Mud Mask and Peel off Mask
- Exfoliating Gloves and No7 Cream Eyeshadows in Wild Silver Wild Bronze and Wild Midnight Blue.

So how do you enter?? Here are the rules lovelies:-

1.You must be a follower of my blog on Google Friend Connect (and I will check).

2. If you are under 18 you must have parental permission to enter.

3. For one entry - comment below with your email address.

4. For two entries - comment below and post my giveaway on your blog with the link (again I will check!). This can be either a blog post or link to giveaway with picture on sidebar.

5. For three entries - both of the above as well as following me and posting the giveaway link on Twitter. You must include @GiddyPrincess within your twitter post so that I can see you have tweeted about me!

The giveaway will be open until 6.00pm GMT on 24th December 2011.

Please don't spam and attempt to enter numerous times - you are only allowed to enter as per the rules above.

♥♥♥♥

Finally, please leave your email address on your comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner!

♥♥

If you have any queries don't hesitate to contact me.

♥♥

Good luck lovelies!

Love Giddy Princess xx

♥♥♥♥

Weight Loss - An Update

2011-11-29T22:44:00.001Z

So a few of you may have read my weight loss page above, which details my journey to lose 30 lbs 2 years ago.

A few of you may have also read my recent posts and a few tweets mentioning my present unhappiness at my weight and the fact that I am dieting.

I promised you an update as to how I was getting on which is the purpose of today's post.

By way of background it is worth me mentioning at this stage that following on from my weight loss 2 years ago, I managed to keep the weight off mostly for around a year and a half. Sadly, since I started working in Manchester around a year ago the weight has been creeping up until I found that I had managed to put over a stone on.

I literally blame work. Now I know that some of you may say oh yeah, whatever, it's down to the individual and to a certain extent I agree. You certainly need to have the right mind set. So to clarify, what I mean is the bad habits that I have slipped into as a result of long long hours (I left the house today at 7am and returned at 9.30pm) and lack of facilities (toaster, microwave) to help ensure a healthy lunch. So unless I want to get up even earlier to make my lunch everyday - I often end up eating food picked up in nearby shops and the options even if labelled as healthy rarely are.

So over the past 3 weeks I have been doing weight watchers again, using the old point system as the new one did not work at all and was pointless for me. I have lost a total of 5lbs so far. First week 3lbs, second week stayed the same (there was a lot of eating and drinking at xmas markets that week) and last week 2lbs.

I am pleased with this. Especially since I haven't been able to exercise, despite my best intentions last week when I got ill and now won't be able to because work is just too busy over the next month. I still don't feel that I have got my dieting mojo back though and feel like I am kidding myself slightly as I am certainly not as strict as I can be.

My clothes don't feel any different and certainly most of them don't even zip up at the moment.

I cannot explain how depressing this is.

However, I must focus on the positives and keep at it. My goal is another 14lbs which will take me back down to where I was at my lightest and into a size 6/8 in clothes. I am presently a size 10 which I know is what a lot of people aspire to, but it is about how I feel and how my clothes fit combined with my present shape and BMI.

I hope you will all wish me luck and I will keep you posted! It will be very difficult throughout December as I have party and meal after party and meal.

Is anyone else going through the same and dieting at the moment?

Vanilla Ginger Lip Balm - H&M

2011-11-28T17:20:00.001Z

So recently I popped down to my (not so local) H&M in Manchester - primarily for a fur collar I had seen a couple of girlies sporting.

I got the fur collar, which incidentally I don't actually like on, and spotted this little beauty at the till point.

It was only £1.99 and given that my lips were near enough dropping off at this point I couldn't resist.

So I didn't.

This purchase I was a little more pleased with than the fur collar but one thing I would say is that it doesn't last very long.

It's a lovely smelling (mainly vanilla and not ginger) lip balm, which provides instant relief but does not really work to improve the overall condition of the lips. I find it very thin in consistency which can be a positive, but definitely too slidey.

That said, I do not regret this purchase being only £1.99 and would recommend it if you want something that gives you a light quick fix. This just doesn't really cut it for me in winter I'm afraid.

Anyone else tried these??

Pillar Box Red Lips

2011-11-27T14:30:00.000Z

There's something about red lipstick for making a girl feel glam. I think it is to do with all the old movie stars think Marilyn Monroe/Sophia Loren and then the more recent beauties such as Dita Von Teese.

So naturally, I felt that my makeup collection was lacking a certain glam given that the all time classic red lip was not available. I stumbled across Barry M's Lip Paint in Pillar Box Red #121 last week and picked it up for the price of £4.49.

Here's a peek of the colour:-

Excuse the horrendous eye makeup and bloodshot eyes - just wanted to demonstrate the colour after a long day! I absolutely LOVE the colour, but I'm not sure about whether I love it on me. I feel like it's too much.

Not quite Marilyn or Dita eh! Ah well - until next time - I think I will go back to my nudey pinks thanks!

Macadamia Natural Oil - Healing Oil Treatment Review

2011-11-22T08:30:00.000Z

Hi lovelies! As you all no doubt know, hair oil seems to be taking the beauty world by storm. I have used various oils since I first relaxed my hair back when I was 15 (lonnnnng time ago!), so I have been extremely happy to see them become more mainstream. So when I was lucky enough to be sent a Beauty Box from Boudoir Privé in September with this sample enclosed I was very excited.

As I was only able to pick it up from the post office in October I guessed you had all already had your monthly fill of blog posts on the contents of September's box and therefore concluded I would review each product in turn after I had been able to try them thoroughly.

The Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment was provided in a sample size of 10ml, although it usually comes in a 125 ml size pump bottle. Macadamia Natural Oil describe this treatment as a therapeutic oil perfect for all hair types and is especially beneficial to dry, damaged hair and I must say, I am certainly convinced.

The product is alcohol free which is an instant positive for me and although I don't use it before drying there is plenty of information on http://macadamiahair.co.uk/ regarding usage and reducing your drying time by 40-50%. I personally apply it after I have dried and styled my hair to nurture and smooth out the ends. It works fabulously for this by the way. It instantly smooths my hair with the added bonus of making it smell divine. I can use a teeny tiny bit all over, which is why I know this product will last me ages never mind the full size one.

So would I purchase this when my sample is finished? I think so, yes. I love how it makes my hair feel and do believe it is a good substitute for some of the harsher products I have used to keep my hair neat and sleek in the past. It seems to retail at around £18 on amazon

Overall a definite recommendation from me and I will certainly be testing out other products from their range in the future, as they look as equally promising. To find out more click here.

Skin Art 99 Temporary Tattoos

2011-11-15T07:49:00.001Z

Hi lovelies - hope your week is going well! I'm presently trying to type with super cold hands as I have just got in from work. It's so cold!

Anyway, some of you who follow me on twitter or instagram will have seen my recent post showing some shoes that I recently found in my wardrobe. I have had them for like 5 years and was so excited when I rediscovered them!

Quite a few of you also commented on how much you like my tattoos, which brings me onto the subject of today's post...

I think I should start by coming clean. The reason for me finding the shoes was to show off my tattoos and the reason for this was because they aren't real and are actually temporary tattoos!!

Yes, I am a fraud.

These beauties were provided to me to review after I expressed my excitement about how amazing they looked. I think that the quality is pretty good and certainly in real life you can't tell that they aren't real. It seemed so weird to use these as an adult but at the same time they are great for those of us who either can't have them due to our jobs or are too scared to take the plunge. I kind of fall into both categories and I admit - I have had the black tights on today to hide my naughty little secret!!

The tattoos themselves though are absolutely fabulous - simple to apply - just apply face down and put a damp sponge over the top for 1 min until you can remove without any problems. Word of warning though - don't do what I did and forget to take the plastic off as I sat there wondering why it wasn't working until the tattoo had stuck to the plastic! Gutted as it was my favourite design too.

I can't wait to try all the others in the range which look like this...

What do you think ladies, would any of you buy these?
They retail at £8.00 at Boots xx

Happy Times ♥

2011-11-12T10:54:00.001Z

Happy weekend lovelies! Hope you are all having a lovely time - I know a lot of you are at the Leeds bloggers meet up today so I hope that's fun!!

This is a bit of a random post really but I was feeling pretty positive because the suns out and it's a Saturday.

I am in a super mood today - hence the reason for the title above. I am so inspired I am thing of doing one of those 100 things posts... Not sure yet.

Anyway, not much point to this post other than to say I feel like I have got my blogging mojo back and I am really enjoying posting regularly again. Hope you are enjoying reading!

I have lots of exciting things coming up, including a giveaway - so keep them eyes peeled *_*

Aso, I am on a diet now so hopefully I will be able to share with you how that goes over the next few months. I am trying to lose 14lbs which is basically what I have gained over the past year through working super long hours, commuting, eating the wrong food and at the wrong time with no exercise.

Speaking of which - I am off out to go on a run now as my horrendous daily headache I seem to have at the moment has just disappeared so I better make the most of it.

That's all for now really, except for a MASSSSSSSIVE thank you to my new followers and of course thank you to you lovelies that have stuck around the past year during my absences!!

Enjoy your Saturday! xx

MAC Glitter and Ice Collection - Lipstick in What Joy!

2011-11-10T22:28:00.001Z

So no doubt like many of you ladies out there I have recently been pretty excited to actually feel enthusiastic about a Limited Edition Collection. The more recent ones really haven't done it for me so I was really pleased when this collection came out because it is just so pretty.

So I trotted off to MAC at the first opportunity I got and had my eye on a couple of pieces which I thought would be nice to get. Sadly (or happily for my bank account) they were sold out! Gone without a trace! So I could only pick up one thing from the collection which was one of their lipsticks in What Joy!

Firstly, can I just say - what a cute name!! I love it when the name of a shade is as cute as that. For some reason it makes me like a product so much more. The lipstick comes in a white outer case and is packaged in a silver box which really adds to the wintery theme. Such a novelty given MAC's usually matte black packaging. I really like it. Plus, if you haven't yet seen the collection you must go and look at it - everything is white and glittery with some of the eyeshadow palettes having a sort of snow globe on the front. Divine.

In terms of application the lipstick glides on seamlessly but I must say I was expecting it to be darker. It looks very dark before applying but goes on much lighter. I think you could build the colour up though as I applied a little and was conscious that I didn't want it smudging. I think for ordinary use I will apply with a lip brush. Anyway, enough description - I'm guessing you want a proper look at how it looks on!

I love a good strong lip colour in winter and this does not disappoint. I absolutely love this colour and think not only is it good on it's own, but also it is a really good colour to mix with nudes if you want to tone down in the day.

They retail at £14 and the best part of all that I haven't mentioned until now is that it literally smells like chocolate. Honestly, you should have seen my excitement before when I applied and was like omg CHOCOLATE SMELLS yummy!

What do you think girlies? Do you like??
Have any of you picked up any of the new collection or grabbed yourself this lipstick?

Colour Stay Foundation Review (combination/oily version)

2011-11-08T22:30:00.000Z

So I decided to revisit this foundation. I had tried it in the past and decided that personally it didn't float my boat. (Previous post here)

It was worth trying again because my foundation applying technique has changed and I find that having moved to the cosmopolitan beauty blender my foundation is always smoother on application these days. Meaning it looks more flawless rather than cakey as it could previously.

So out it came and after wetting the blender and squeezing out the excess I poured the foundation onto the back of my hand and then from their to my face.

First thing I noted was that it was shade perfect (320 True Beige). Now that's rare. So far so good I thought.

Then I realised that whilst it definitely looked better it's still a bit "meh". I mean, my skin doesn't look bad. But it doesn't look amazing either. Here's some close ups for you all...

I think what I am not keen on is the fact that you can still see my flaws. I noticed the pores weren't really covered and my skin didn't really look smooth. Just covered.

Now I could and did go out with this on over the weekend and didn't feel like it looked bad or anything but I think the problem I have is this:-

It's not heavy enough. Sounds strange I know but here is my position on these things. If I wear a sheer foundation (eg. MUFE face and body or mineral makeup) I want it to look like I just have extremely good skin. If I wear a fuller coverage foundation (estee lauder, this one, MAC studio fix) I want to look made up - not in a drag queen way but in a wow her makeup looks beautiful way. And this foundation does neither. It's in the in between camp which still doesn't do it for me.

I think I have used this like 5 times. There is loads left and I have no use for it if I am honest. Isn't it depressing how the search for the holy grail foundation often ends up like this.

Yogi Hair Wand

2011-11-07T12:00:00.000Z

So I recently purchased the Yogi Hair Wand on Sarah's blog. I picked it up for a mere £20 which was a bargain given that they retail at £59.95.

I haven't had time to experiment with my hair until this weekend, so I was of course very keen to try them on Saturday.

So I washed, conditioned and dried and then wrapped my bushy locks around the barrel and voila - beautiful, bouncy and full waves!

No Flash

With Flash

Yogi Hair Wand

I really like this look and if you have seen any of my weekend posts you will have spotted me sporting the waves in them.

It was easy to do - took 20 mins to do whole head section by section. This probably wasn't necessary - I think if I ran the straighteners over my hair I may have been able to just do the ends and create a really subtle look.

I loved this look though. I went out for a meal on Saturday night and it was perfect for that - not overly styled but not boring, flat, straight hair (my hair always looks better with curls and waves). Definitely impressed with how well it hid my desperately needing a hair cut hair.

The style stayed in until the next day and was a little looser when I woke up - but I liked it. Perfect for a weekend relaxed look.

I will definitely be using these again and I am really glad I bought them off Sarah! In all honesty though - I probably wouldn't pay the full price for them personally, but that is because I already have tongs and also believe I can create good curls and waves already with my GHD's.

If you do fancy looking at the wand though you can view their website and full product listing here.

Proto-col Baked Mineral Cosmetics - Foundation and Lipgloss

2011-11-06T17:11:00.000Z

Hey Everyone!

Hope you're having a happy Sunday!? I've been very productive today and popped a video on YouTube while searching for a home to buy in Manchester. Still not quite found the right place yet but here's hoping...

Anyway, I found out about Proto-col Baked Mineral Cosmetics this week and I'll be honest - I hadn't really come across them before. Once I had read the press releases though I was very intrigued and super excited to give their foundation and lipgloss a try.

Happy Wearing of New Products Times!

LED Lipgloss £10.95
Baked Mineral Foundation £27.95

First Up - The Foundation

As you can see below the foundation comes in a pressed compact format. This is a rarity for mineral foundation which of course is usually loose. The shade is Moroccan, which looked slightly dark at first but when I applied it and let it sink into my skin I found that it was a really good match.

You can build up coverage and it lasts for a good while on the skin too, so you won't get that annoying situation where it looks like you have no makeup on an hour after application! Plus, if you do need to retouch you have the joy of the lovely mirror with the compact.

This is how my skin looked up close after application using my Bare Minerals Fawless Face Brush (you can have a look at my video applying it here if you like).
Not bad eh!

I do really like this foundation. I know it is a little pricey, but I really do think it has the potential to last a long time and it makes my skin look so dewy and healthy. Definitely going to be using this on a regular basis!

Secondly, the LED Lipgloss

Before saying anything else I want to just say that I absolutely love this. Can you see the LED light in the lid???

So cool. Also there is a mirror on the side so you can apply it in low light conditions without worrying you have it all over your face!! Yay!

This is shade Coconut Ice and it's just so pretty. I have it on in the above picture for you to see! It's not sticky at all and lasts for ages.

I definitely recommend these products and would say check out the range in general because they have eyeshadows and all sorts! I love and I am so glad I have found out about them!

If you want to have a look at these products and the different shade options you can go to www.proto-col.com

Happy looking!

Soap & Glory Makeup Range - Trick and Treatment Under Eye Circle Concealer

2011-11-05T09:47:00.000Z

So firstly, I feel like I totally missed a trick by not reviewing this before Halloween given the name of this concealer, but the good news is I have had plenty of time to test it and therefore you can rest assured I now have a good sense of how this concealer works.

Which by the way is well, in case you couldn't wait to get to the end of the post...

This concealer is much creamier than the Kick Ass Concealer I loved and reviewed last week here.

I just love the packaging!

So why does this concealer work well? Here's the thing - it's super super blendable, it's incredibly long lasting and it brightens the whole under eye area.

This concealer is specifically for the under eye area. I can only assume that this is why it is so easy to blend and very lightweight in consistency. It doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes in the slightest and literally makes a huge difference to my under eye area.

To get the best use out of this I put it on top of the Kick Ass Concealer. The Kick Ass Concealer itself does enough to cover my dark circles. It conceals and they are gone. What this specific concealer does however is brightens up the whole area, so it's not that it covers more but the fact that it makes me look so much more awake. I cannot leave the house without it now.

Most of you will be able to use this alone and I would recommend getting this before getting the Kick Ass Concealer as my dark circles are severe and at weekend I am happy to use this under eye concealer alone. It's only when I am applying my heavier makeup in the week do I use both for a completely flawless look.

This concealer retails at £9.00 at Boots although I have seen some other cheaper listings online when carrying out a google search. I definitely paid £9.00 though. It is definitely worth the money and I will be asking for family to buy me this for xmas in the bucket load because if I ran out and it stopped being made I really would be gutted. This concealer, along with their Kick Ass Concealer has totally replaced all the other concealers I have used - which I really did not think would happen.

Buy it now!

TRESemme Split Remedy Range

2011-11-03T22:54:00.003Z

So to begin this review I would firstly like to say ta da!

Here is my hair after use of the Split Remedy Range. This is a near miracle - my hair won't tame for anyone at the moment and the fact that it is actually falling down rather than frizzing left, right and centre shows that this product works for me.

Apologies for the lack of face - I was makeup-less

So on to the formal review.

Most of you will now know that TRESemme launched the Split Remedy Range in September. I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch, but alas - as much as I wanted to go, professional life got in the way as it so often does.

I was very kindly offered the chance to try the range anyway and I naturally jumped at the chance. My hair is as split as the next girl who has a passion for heat styling and I love TRESemme as a brand generally.

I was provided with the Shampoo and Conditioner, RRP of £4.99 each.

And also the Serum and Leave In Treatment, RRP £5.50 each.

So, in the name of good hair, I set some time aside to wash, condition, further condition and blow dry my hair and the above look was the result. I was very pleased.

What you don't get to see was how silky my hair felt to touch and also the fact that it lasted 2 full days of looking sleek without needing to be washed. Definitely a positive.

So what do I think of the range? Thumbs up from me.

The Shampoo and Conditioner smell lovely and my hair instantly feels softer. Lathering up is easy and the products rinse out easily.

In relation to the serum and leave-in treatment - I used these both. I firstly applied a little leave in conditioner (one pump only) and then some serum (one pump also). I could feel the product on my hair at this point - but no more than any other products I use.

One thing I did notice was that my hair stayed wetter longer, which meant it took longer to dry with my hairdryer. It didn't make it anymore difficult to dry though like some products can i.e. it didn't leave my brush dragging through my hair or anything.

Once it was dry though I would have left my hair as it was if it only had a bit more style. My hair was full and bouncy and the ends look so much smoother. Straightening was a doddle and took much less time than usual. Yay! When I have my hair cut back into shape I imagine I will be able to just blow dry it with a round bristle brush and leave it.

So all in all I would say these are a good product if you are looking for something to make your hair smooth and shiny. It certainly worked for me and the use of the leave in treatment and serum did not leave my hair weighed down. If in doubt use a little and build the product up is what I say!

I would guess that some of you have already had good results with this range, but if you haven't got around to trying it I would definitely recommend as it works a treat for me!

Holiday Pictures

2011-11-02T22:30:00.001Z

So I've had a few days off to have a bit of a time out with the boyfy. Fun fun times. I went off to York, which is stunning. We ate and we drank and we were merry!! We took a trip to the Viking Centre and acted like kids for a bit! I love times like that!

Although I didn't take any pictures of York itself, here are some of the pictures I took during my time off this week...

Got to love a bit of Marc Jacobs

Yay for Marc Jacobs MacBook Sleeve Presents

From the Boyfy!

Luxury Shopping Bag Times

My favourite re-discovery of a long time

(don't get excited ladies - it was an old one I hadn't opened)

Naughty!

FOTN - before and after

2011-10-30T16:17:00.000Z

Before

After

So this week has been pretty high pressure so I was excited to go out to a party on Friday night with the boyf and friends. Getting ready was pretty rushed. Especially because I had to factor in washing my hair, which at the moment I can do nothing with.

I went out looking like the second picture. In a black dress rather than the pink fluffy dressing gown! I don't really know why the "before" picture is necessary but I was messing around on my new MacBook so there it is!

I used:-

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Tawny mixed with MAC Pro Longwear Foundation in NC30
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powder
Bare Minerals Bronzer in Warmth
Coastal Scents Blush in Coral and Pink mixed
Various MUA Heaven and Earth E/S Palette shades with lots of blending
Revlon Fabulash Mascara
Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 01 Lipstick mixed with MAC Lipstick in Ravishing

It felt really odd to put all the makeup on as I haven't been out for ages! Also, I attempted to put on false eyelashes (which I used to use ALL the time) but it RUINED my eye makeup on my left eye and I couldn't get it to stick so I had to start all over again! STRESSED!

Can't believe I can't put false eyelashes on again! Anyone else have this problem or just me!? Thankfully I managed to save the look in the end!

Soap & Glory Makeup Range - Kick Ass Concealer

2011-10-24T08:00:00.000+01:00

So I happened upon the Soap & Glory Makeup Range in Boots the other day. Excited is an understatement! Has anyone else seen this? Were you excited too??

I have been waiting for this for what seems like ages and it did not disappoint. The range covers everything. Foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, eyeshadow, mascara, lippies etc.

They have got it 100%right in my opinion.

Anyway, as I was tight on time (and cash) I decided to get something I thought I really needed and would be able to use straight away. So the Kickass Concealer it was.

As you can see a lot of thought has gone into this product. The packaging I love straight away, but as soon as I saw it's two different shades of concealer I instantly thought bobbi brown corrector and concealer savings times. Don't get me wrong, I love that stuff, but it doesn't half reduce my spends.

So this beauty was only £10 - dramatically cheaper than my others and it had the two shades and the translucent (white looking) powder too.

You can see from the pictures S&G have also been kind enough to provide a step by step guide as to what order to use the products which I like.

So does it work? Actually, yes. And very well. I can say that because I literally look like the walking dead without concealer (no exaggeration) and therefore anything that covers the dark circles should work pretty well on most people!

What I loved was that the texture is much easier to blend than some of my other concealers, it doesn't drag and is so easy to apply. Perfect for under the eyes. There is a little powder puff to apply the powder with also, although for speed I just use my normal powder brush.

So I am happy. I will definitely be purchasing more products from the makeup range and believe that the quality is great for the price. I am happy - I get to save on my normal concealer.

I used shade medium - however I only spotted light as an alternative and I am not sure if they do a dark shade. It's great for my skin tone though - which is NC30 MAC if that helps anyone!

I would definitely recommend! I also have their specific under eye concealer which I will review very soon also!

Pretty Pictures Anyone?

2011-10-23T21:48:00.000+01:00

Soap and Glory Excitement!

Naughty Pastries

Standard avoiding the hair wash until desperate weekly routine!

Boots Shopping Times!

Glad Hair Day

2011-10-22T20:02:00.003+01:00

So Saturday is traditionally the day of the week that I try new hair products, or dye my hair, or try new styles.

Today was no different. I happened upon some Soap & Glory small Shampoo and Conditioner in Boots earlier this week. It was 3 for 2 and I thought it would be good to pick up some smaller sizes to try.

As a side note, let me just say I love travel sized products. Seriously, I buy them all the time now because it means I to try something without worrying about spending too much and get to use it at the gym! Perfecto!

The good news is that I am looking forward to using these at the gym. It's weird, when I used them in the shower I was thinking "uh oh" and "my hair is feeling pretty traumatised". Sometimes conditioners make your hair feel amazing immediately, I'd say this does not but my hair definitely felt super clean.

Buuuut, the amazingness became apparent as I began to dry my hair. It dried in no time, smooth and super shiny. Me = happy happy. My ends were smooth and I therefore couldn't even bring myself to straighten it because it looked like the best blow dry I have ever had!

So love it. My hair looks and feels amazing and I get to use less heat than usual. Sorted. I mean, I had heard a girl I know saying that their hair range was good, but I must admit, I was doubtful. Especially as I am desperately trying to grow my hair at the moment so I'll be the first to admit it needs a good trim. I was wrong. It really is good and next time it will be the full size version for me.

What do you think ladies? Have any of you used this?

Vivo Foundation Update

2011-10-19T08:07:00.001+01:00

Morning all. Hope you're having a good week! I'm tired already and not loving the cold front that's arrived.

Anyway, you may remember that a few weeks ago I provided you with my thoughts on some products from the Vivo range I had been sent.

My reactions were mixed and overall I came away thinking your get what you pay for.

That said, I was curious as to how the foundation would work because it seemed to have very good coverage.

Well I have since tried it properly and sadly I must say that it didn't live up to my expectations. The coverage wasn't actually as full as I had imagined and it provided almost a greasy finish. Furthermore, my skin felt like it couldn't breathe at all.

I'm sad to say that it wasn't very good at all and it's not something I would recommend.

I really do like Tesco and they have some fantastic products in their skincare ranges and Barbara Daly range. The jury is still out for me on the Vivo line but I am keeping an open mind having heard some wonderful things about their eyeshadows.

I guess it just depends on what you are looking for.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Tuesday Pictures

2011-10-18T23:20:00.000+01:00

Yes, that is my name...

The only thing that makes me feel happy on a Tuesday morning!

The Hair Softener in Winter Months!

The Beauty of My New Toy...

Monday Pictures

2011-10-17T22:57:00.000+01:00

Work Essentials From My Stationery Drawer!

Thirsty Thirsty

Pretty Purse Times

Metabolism Speed Up Hopes After a Weekend Of Over-indulging!

Desire Haul

2011-10-17T20:33:00.000+01:00

Things I have learnt this week...

2011-10-16T23:12:00.001+01:00

Falling over isn't fun. Nor are bloody knees and ripped tights.

There are still people out there that care enough about others to make sure the person falling is ok.

I love Bastise Volumising Dry Shampoo - it works sooooo well on my hair. Perfect for after work drinks.

I can only do so many early mornings and late starts without turning into a misery! I feel much better after having a couple of 7 hour sleeps.

Having a clear out takes aaaages.

Working a lot does not make for a regularly updated blog.

The new iPhone update is amazing. Can't wait to get the new iPhone.

MacBooks may just be the way forward. I am certainly loving my new one!

Vivo Cosmetics - Initial Reactions

2011-10-01T09:34:00.003+01:00

Vivo is a new cosmetics brand introduced recently by Tesco. Their prices are nice and cheap and it's great to be able to purchase makeup while carrying out a food shop. Certainly makes it much more exciting!

Kindly, I was sent some sample to try namely their Lengthening Mascara, Matte Foundation and Diamond Sparkle Lipgloss.

My first thoughts if I am honest were that all three of these products are unlikely to be what I would personally purchase from the brand. When looking as cheaper makeup I tend to go for shadows, blush and lipsticks.

That said, I approached them with an open mind and here are my initial thoughts...

I like the applicator for the gloss. I think a brush is often a really nice way of applying a gloss and I wish there were more of these about. In terms of the colour it's fine, but as with lots of glosses it is pretty clear when spread with only a hint of colour so nothing to write home about in that respect. One thing I must say though if I am being totally honest is, for me, this is far too glittery. I cannot stand a glittery lipgloss and I don't think that I am alone in my thinking. I mean, it's not the most subtle of looks is it. Which did make me question who exactly this range is aimed at as the last time I wore a glittery gloss must have been back in 2002 if not before and I was definitely still in my teens then...

That said, if it is aimed at teenages then so what. I think they would certainly be pleased to see a cheap ranged offering lots of products in addition to these I was sent.

In terms of the packaging of the mascara I think this is absolutely fine. It says what it is meant to do and that is all I am concerned with when using mascaras anyway so I was happy. What I found disturbing though was that when I opened the mascara the brush was covered in fluffy bits (you can see it in the picture above slightly). I have yet to use this on my eyes. I will try it and let you know how I get on, but this really did concern me. Firstly because the product is new so I don't understand why the brush is in such a sorry state already and secondly because I have sensitive eyes and just think that all these loose bits are going to cling to my lashes and then irritate my eyes all day. Not really what I had in mind when opening the mascara. I will let you know...

Again, the packaging is pretty basic which again is fine. I don't need fancy packaging just a product that works so that wouldn't put me off. I was shocked by the heavy consistency of this foundation. It really is thick and felt quite difficult to blend on my skin, however when it did it gave really full coverage. I like my makeup to look quite "done" in winter, so this may work just fine for me. I am yet to try it on my face, but I will carry out a full review shortly showing you what it looks like although the shading will probably be a little off.

So there you have it - my initial reactions. Unfortunately, none of these products wowed me and I was left with the impression that you get what you pay for. I don't know if that is really a bad thing, but personally I think that at this stage in my life I would rather pay the extra and get things that suit my needs a little more. Especially when considering the state of the mascara. The jury is still out on the foundation though so that may change.

Despite me not loving these products however, I have seen other really good looking products from the range including eyeshadows and a concealer kit. I would give them a go I think, but when I was in Tesco recently they weren't there!

Has anyone else tried this range, or any of these specific products? What did you think?

I'm away...

2011-09-06T23:47:00.001+01:00

Posts will resume as normal next week xx

ASOS Workwear

2011-09-04T14:55:00.001+01:00

So I am moving into a new department tomorrow which requires lots of client meetings and the need to look smart. This is pretty standard for what I do but I can't help feel that my current workwear wardbrobe is looking a bit shabby.

So I popped onto asos.com and look at their Suits and Tailoring section, which was very impessive. Lots of nice clean lines, with white pussy bow blouses and heels. Perfect.

My favourites are definitely the jackets. I fancy a few new ones to wear over the winter months that are not only smart but also stylish.

Now I can't get anything before I start tomorrow clearly so my existing collection will have to do for now. However, I have narrowed it down to these beauties that I ~~may~~ need to purchase over the coming weeks.

Aren't they gorgeous? I love the last one, but I think I would want to wear this with jeans also - which kind of ruins the point of me looking for smart clothes!

Famous by Sue Moxley EOTD

2011-09-01T21:06:00.001+01:00

I decided it was about time I did another "loud" EOTD. Especially after today was actually sunny! Novelty or what!

Now you will know that I have admitted to previously being a little colour shy when it comes to eyeshadow. However I am actively trying to combat that and find new ways to wear colour that are bright and beautiful without being totally unwearable. I think I may have found another new look today using this palette...

The beautiful Fesitval Palette
(taken without flash - the colours are so amazing!)

And here is the beautiful EOTD I created using the lime, pink and teal shades.

I absolutely love this combination and think it is just divine!

What do you think ladies? Do you like it?

Another new iPhone case

2011-08-31T23:13:00.002+01:00

So I like pink and I like iPhones. So it is only natural that I would want a pink iPhone. Sadly I can't achieve that but you may recall the amazing case I blogged about a month or so ago here which was baby pink. The perfect solution.

Sadly I dropped my phone on the floor and the case got scratched and chipped in the corner making my beautiful pink looking iPhone look pretty naff.

So when it really got too much to handle I hopped back onto ebay and purchased this bad boy...

Yes, it is true. It is slightly pinker than last time!! In fact it is really pink! But I love it.

I really do recommend these cases if you have an iPhone. There are loads of sellers on ebay and loads to choose from. And they tend to cost between £1.50 - £2.00. So providing no damage to the phone, it's no biggie if you drop it!

Happy case hunting!

New Blog Name

2011-08-31T23:00:00.002+01:00

Hi all!

Late night post for you.

First thing is first. You might have noticed that my blog has changed. It is now called...

http://giddyprincess.blogspot.com/

I'm sad to see my old name A Beauty Blog written by a Giddy Princess go, but at the same time I feel that the new name is much more suited to me at this point in my life. I don't feel quite as princessy these days!! haha.

That said, I am keeping my username as Giddy Princess as that is how most of you know me. However, for those of you that I haven't met, emailed etc - my real name is Dani.

I hoe you all like my new name and will continue to follow and read my blog. Unfortunately, all my old posts haven't been transferred over to this new name so you will need to access any archived posts from directly from my blog rather than through reader/google etc.

Hope that's not too much of a pain.

Anyway, other news:-

I will be announcing the Witch Skincare giveaway winners at the weekend.
I will be holding another giveaway shortly which I think you will all love.
I will be reviewing my weekend MAC haul very shortly.
I will be reviewing Famous Daves Dark Tanning Lotion very shortly.

In the meantime, please leave any comments below in relation to things you would like to see on the blog or feedback of any kind!

xxx

Help! I want a new camera!

2011-08-29T18:20:00.001+01:00

I really want a decent camera and thinking of this one...

Its the Fuji Finepix s2970 and is on sale for just under £130.

Anyone else used this?

Or do you have any other recommendations I can try out? I want something that's good up close and without flash. And good for videoing too!

Help!

Accessory Lust

2011-08-28T18:13:00.001+01:00

I'm into browns at the moment, well more tan than brown but you know what I'm saying!

Not that I need anymore AT ALL but these are now on my wish list!

All from Boohoo naturally.

The Weekend Is For Hauling

2011-08-27T16:02:00.000+01:00

That is all xxx

Colour Xtreme Hair Art Sprays

2011-08-26T15:12:00.000+01:00

Having recently seen Lauren Conrad sporting a colour ombre look I was eager to try something similar myself.

However having dark hair I knew this might be a bit trickier in terms of how well any dye would show up and the colours to use. So I was excited when I was offered the opportunity to review some wash out colour dye sprays.

I received the Colour Xtreme Hair Art Sprays in the below colours...

I was impressed with how they worked. Unfortunately, pink didn't show up on my hair at all. It's really strange but of course it would show up really well on blonde hair.

The other colours however showed up fine and looked like this.

White, Blue and Purple Dye - Ombre and Streak Look

My favourite colour is the purple and you can see it alone below. I actually will use this as it's suble and looks pretty good I think. The other colours are a bit OTT for me, and it was hard to get the blue not to look to sprayed on with the colour of my hair.

Purple Dye Colour Ombre Look

In terms of application these apply well, but are a little messy. Obviously you don't want to have anything that could get coloured nearby so I chose to do it with a plastic bag on my shoulder so that I could spray away happily. Got the blue on my hands and took quite a while to remove.

One thing is for sure, you will need to brush it out once sprayed on (as advised in directions for use). If not, it looks kinda sticky and fake - a little like the white colour above (I hadn't brushed that).

All in all I would say these are great for creating a fun look, they retail at £4.07 and are available at Boots. Definitely worth a purchase if you want something a little different for your hair on a night out. Obviously choose your colour wisely though!!!

Anyone else tried these? Or indeed had their hair done to coloured ombre effect?

Do you even like the trend!?

Some of my Mascara Collection

2011-08-25T12:27:00.002+01:00

Do you think I have enough?

Anyone else have a smilar collection?

Spread out like that it doesn't actually look so bad. A few were thankfully free gifts with other purchases. Some of them I have tried once and will never use!

Time for a clear out I think. Best sticking to mascaras that you know are your favourites.

That said I do love the lancome ones but prefer to keep them for nights out. The rest I think have got to go!

Estee Lauder Day Wear Plus

2011-08-25T10:36:00.002+01:00

Ok, so it is very easy to forget how good some products feel on the skin.

I've always been a fan of Estee Lauder in general. Their makeup and skincare was definitely my absolute favourite until around about when I started blogging (which I now believe is down to getting all adventurous and experimenting with other brands more).

So it was like a lovely trip down memory lane when I opened up one of these moisturisers the other day as a result of a) running out of my usual and b) being back home with access to all my stored beauty products.

It was so lovely because I was instantly transported to a place where my skin feels moisturised without being greasy, smells and looks great all due to this beauty.

I should say at this point that I refer to smell because this product really does smell amazing. So fresh but in a really witch hazely way (or something). I haven't quite worked out the smell, but for me it is by far the best smelling facial moisturiser I own.

So how does it work on the skin? Beautifully.

I've been using it as a makeup base and it works great. No greasiness, sinks into the skin effortlessly, keeps skin supple and provides a perfect even texture to apply my foundation. Which then lasts all day.

My pores look reduced and the tone better.

I would 100% recommend this and I think I am going to go back to my old favourites (cleanser, toner etc) as a result as I just felt like "ah yes, this is what my skin loves" when I tried it again for the first time in so long.

Price? £37.00, so make it last...

New Look Nail Polish Remover Pads

2011-08-24T16:35:00.002+01:00

I love a good nail polish remover. Something powerful without being too stinky and too drying.

I love it even more when it comes in a handy, travel pack like this.

I firmly believe that nail polish remover pads are the way forward. If they work well, which these do, they save so much effort (not to mention room in your makeup bag whenever travelling).

I like these because they have a great amount of product on the pad so you definitely don't feel like you need to add any remover to them like you might if they weren't strong enough.

Also, they make removing polish effortless. I used one pad only for all 10 nails.

I think this is really good because whenever I do this manually I have to use several pads and lots of nail polish remover because cotton wool pads always soak up product, whereas these are so fine that they just remain moist and remove every last trace.

Much better and such a bargain at £1.99

Next A/W 2011

2011-08-24T14:22:00.000+01:00

Because when I go out walking my dog this is what I ~~want to~~ look like too...

Despite how impractical the looks are I still like the idea of them. Definitely not like any autumn I ever saw though!

WET N WILD COLOR ICON™ EYESHADOW TRIO

2011-08-24T13:31:00.000+01:00

Ahhhh don't you just love Wet n Wild. Super cheap and super great :D

I mean don't get me wrong I love a bit of expensive makeup but isn't it great when you can pay $2.99 for an eyeshadow trio that tells you how to apply it and it still look good!!

I know I do!

This shade is 385B Don't Steal My Thunder (love that name) and I just wanted to share how good the colours are. You can view the range on the website here http://wnwbeauty.com/Product.php?Pid=68

Personally I don't use these colours as much as some of my others like golds abs browns so I like that I can use it every now abs then for a dramatic look without feeling guilty for not using it up!!

Any of you have any Wet n Wild favourites? I also have a couple of lippies I love too!!

NOTD Purple Prettiness

2011-08-24T13:21:00.000+01:00

Eyelash Perming Results

2011-08-24T13:18:00.000+01:00

So last week I bit the bullet and had my eyelashes permed at the salon. It's something I'd been thinking about for some time and really wanted to try.

By way of background I should explain that naturally, my eyelashes are so straight they go down rather than curling up. It's been my biggest drawback when it comes to enhancing my eyes for well forever.

What I have been doing for years now to combat this is curling them with eyelash curlers after I've heated them with the hairdryer.

For the most part this works, but I do experience some difficulty when over tired and my eyes water because as soon as they get wet the curl is gone.

Not fun.

On top of that, most mascaras are too wet to hold the curl too which means I can't make the most out of a lot of mascaras that work beautifully on normal lashes.

You can see then why I wanted to try perming as in theory this could shave some serious time off my morning routine.

So the results? Well there you have it below...

I know - pretty unimpressive.

I led on a salon bed for 45 minutes for that!!! And paid £15 (although it should have been £20)

I was so disappointed. I mean, I know they have curled but only a tiny bit and from the front you can't even tell. I couldn't bear to show you a frontal pic as I looked like a boy.

I would definitely NOT recommend this procedure. For me it was pointless. I still have to curl in the same way and whilst at first I only needed to curl the root for lift, this lasted like a day after which I was back to same lashes as before.

Utterly pointless and gutting. As well as annoying seeing how much effort I have to go to to straighten my hair on my head...

NOTD - Nudist

2011-08-24T10:16:00.002+01:00

You may recall my post the other day I used this polish with No7's Highland Mist to create a pretty with a punch look. Today I have gone for the old fashioned nude understated groomed look (I hope) which is always perfect for any occasion.

I absolutely love this colour and I am so glad I got it for free with Marie Claire. It's super quick to dry, applies beautifully and lasts. What more does a girl want.

I know quite a few of you got this shade also, so no doubt you are enjoying it as much as me. I feel like such a lady when I wear it. No wonder it's called My Fair Lady!

Don't Forget To Enter My Witch Skincare Giveaway!!

2011-08-23T12:49:00.002+01:00

10 of you lucky ladies can win the amazing Witch Skincare Concealer I reviewed for you here the other week. You will remember that I was very fond of this bad boy as it covered my under eye circles beautifully!

It ends on Saturday the 27th August at 1.00pm so you must hurry!

Click here to enter for your chance to be one of the 10 winners!

xxx

Shoe Lust - Zara

2011-08-23T12:21:00.001+01:00

Whilst perusing Zara's website I came across these truly delectable shoes (I swear I don't know why I put myself through the pain of "browsing" with no intention of purchasing - it just makes you want everything. It's like being on a diet and being surrounded by chocolate.)

Each pair is perfect for winter glamour with a pair of skinnies, a lose tee with a skinny scarf and a blazer. Oooo! Just thought of my new ~~albeit not very original~~ staple winter outfit (note to self).

My favourites have to be the top pair. Definitely on my winter hit list for things I ~~need~~ want.

Now, just to browse the clothes section...

Gosh Eyeliner Collection

2011-08-23T10:48:00.002+01:00

So whilst going through my eyemakeup drawer over the weekend I found I had far more Gosh eyeliners than I remembered. Thinking back I had quite the obsession which I remember stemmed from a couple of friends I have wearing coloured eyeliner very well.

I tried it and unfortunately couldn't rock the look quite so well. Despite this I can't bring myself to get rid of these just in case.

Colour-wise most of these are pretty inpractical but I go through phases and will from time to time wear the teal one on a daily basis to line the top of my eyes. The others I'll be honest I hardly ever use(d).

In terms of how they wear and last though I do like Gosh eyeliners. They are long lasting, creamy and easy to apply. It does help if you heat them slightly before applying (hairdryer technique) but even if not they aren't like some of the other scratchy ones I have used in the past.

The two outer liners are twist up whereas the rest are pencils. The pencils are better for precision as you can sharpen them into a fine point.

They can be purchased at Superdrug, and do of course come in standard colours as well as these!

Gosh Glitter NOTD

2011-08-22T17:18:00.001+01:00

So I thought I would jump on the glitter on the nails bandwagon and purchase myself a black nail polish and some Gosh Nail Glitter.

I purposely created a slightly more messy nail tip look - I didn't want it to look "done". Which resulted in the below look. I did a diagonal line across the thumb just to break things up a bit too. I like inconsistency when it comes to nail art.

Below is what I used to create the above look. I painted my nails black and then applied the top coat where I wanted the glitter to be and rather than dip my nail in the pot as suggested I dabbed the glitter on with the pictured brush.

This created less mess but also meant that the glitter went on finer rather than creating a band of opaque glitter. I then applied the clear on top as a top coat to secure it all which is why the glitter has spread along all the nail slightly too. Which I liked.

I wore this look for two days before getting bored with it. (I usually find that happens when I wear a strong colour/look) It wasn't chipping but was starting to look slightly messy.

I think that from experience with nail polish etc on false and natural nails - this would probably work better on false nails but for use for a fresh look for a night out this is the perfect product and should be something every girl has. They have lots of colours to choose from including pink, lavender and silver. They are sold at Superdrug for £3.99.

One message of warning though - it's an absolute b*Tch to remove, so leave yourself plenty of time as it is definitely not something you want to do last minute before work on a Monday morning...

Bobbi Brown Rose Shimmer Brick Review

2011-08-21T16:55:00.001+01:00

I love Bobbi Brown. The makeup and skincare ranges work great with my skin and never cause me any issues. So I know that whatever I purchase I am likely to be happy with it, so much so that I will use it until the very end.

Bobbi Brown is one of the only makeup brands that I find myself using daily and replacing staple products time and time again.

I think that's a sure sign of quality and consistency. Which is good.

I would say that mostly I use skincare products. However they do a cracking concealer and their foundation was the first foundation I ever tried and used (my Mums) and whenever I have had makeovers with them I come away with a big list of things that I want because I look so much better than usual.

One of the things I had wanted to try for some time was the shimmer bricks. The bronze and nectar version had been used on me as bronzer and blush but I purchased the rose version to use as a highlighter.

The shimmer bricks can be used as a highlighter and also a shimmery eyeshadow. I tend to just highlight with mine.

I do really like the shimmer tone of this shimmer brick. It's perfect on my skin and makes it look luminous. Be warned though you can end up looking very shiny if you are not careful and end up applying too much. A little bit certainly goes a long way.

The powder goes on really fine so it dosn't have that glittery effect that some shimmery powders do. And it's also worth mentioning that it doesn't highlight your flaws like some do.

I love this and use it all the time at the weekend when I want my makeup to look fresher. I want all the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks but given they retail at £30.50 each it's unlikely. I mean I do really like them and I've had this one for months now and barely made any impact on it, but I can buy an outfit for that if I go bargain hunting and I do like to get a bit more for my money. So for now I'll stick to this one!

NOTD - Highland Lady

2011-08-20T10:21:00.001+01:00

I used No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour - Highland Mist

and Ciate Paint Pots - My Fair Lady

This is a look I am carrying through to today from yesterday. Both of these colours are beautiful on their own, and both of them are new.

I picked up the Ciate Polish with Marie Claire this month and the No7 Polish for £2 at Boots with my No7 £5 off voucher (I still have two more to use).

As they are both so pretty and new I couldn't decide which I wanted to wear and therefore opted for both. Hence the above look!

Hope you like - I certainly do and got lots of compliments at work. Felt really quite creative!

Lacey Looks

2011-08-19T23:57:00.002+01:00

I seem to be loving lace at the moment. I don't know why, I just can't help myself.

Take today, went into Zara and tried on the most Lacey looking dress ever, in cream, with long sleeves.

Sounds vile? Well no, but definitely not suited to my look. It was a little like this...

I looked ridiculous when I caught sight of my reflection - totally child like!

So needless to say it wasn't purchase, but it got me searching...

Its hard to find lace that doesn't make me look a) childlike, or b) mumsy. However, these tops seem ok and are on my new lace wish list...

Realistically, the middle one won't suit my shape. Boobs and boxy shapes tops don't often work so well I've found.

So I'm leaning towards the first or third, probably the third. What do you think?

Do you like the lace trend?

Famous Daves Tanning Time!

2011-08-18T18:12:00.006+01:00

Not fake tanned in three weeks!! Yes that's right THREE! I look ill! Haha.

So today I gave into temptation and picked up this Famous Dave's tanning lotion. It's the dark formula so given the result last time it should be pretty dark!

(last time on right)

Anyone else tried this?

I shall let you know how I get on!!

Aspinal of London

2011-08-18T12:47:00.001+01:00

J'adore Aspinal of London. Seriously. Beauty in accessories.

I first discovered them in Selfridges in the Trafford Centre where the merchandising is just to die for.

If you haven't heard of Aspinal of London it is a brand which sells accessories for male and female from silk scarfs to business card holders.

Their products have that perfect mix between class and feminine meaning a girl doesn't have to miss out of pretty things to still look professional in business, or classy at the weekend.

I absolutely love their business card holders, laptop cases, pens and document holders and will be adding to my collection in the forthcoming years for professional use.

The good thing though is that the brand doesn't limit you to professional use. So I have a keen eye on quite a few other items, including these:-

So stunning aren't they?

I love the lipstick case. I remember having one as a young girl and feeling so glamorous because of it. Which is why I like the brand generally - it is classy, glamorous everyday accessories that we often don't think to buy.

I mean why have your favourite MAC lipstick shoved in a pocket inside your bag with a load of receipts, keys and phone when you could store it in a beautifully crafted lipstick case with mirror.

I do wonder.

If you fancy being glamorous like me (haha) you can pop over to their website here.

Luxury Beauty - Is It The Product Or The Thought?

2011-08-18T11:27:00.001+01:00

For those of you that were following the blog from the beginning should remember that I was always a serum user, with one of my favourites being the VIE one I had tried around May/June last year.

I really enjoyed using it at the time and thought that I would repurchase it when I ran out. For whatever reason (which I believe to be lack of stockists in my area) I didn't.

Since then I haven't really got back into the whole serum thing. I haven't found a good cheap one (and yes I tried and used No7's for a while but it didn't wow me unfortunately) and I just haven't been willing to fork out for an expensive one like I used to.

My skin is fine. It got dry in winter and needed exfoliation at times as it does in the summer months also but on the whole it is clear and healthy. The issues I have are larger pores, primarily on the cheeks, which can look slightly awful if foundation isn't applied well.

Despite my skin being ok for the most part though I would still like to go back to using serums. There is just something that feels slightly more luxurious when you apply a nice light, beautiful smelling serum before a moisturiser.

However, I wonder if I am being conned and if it is that luxurious feeling only that makes me go back. I mean, my skin is fine without it. I have also had a similar feeling about primers because those that I have tried on the whole don't make a big enough difference for me to keep buying and using.

What do you think? Do you have any serums you swear by? Or primers that make a huge difference?

I hear Estee Lauder have a new(ish) one that is meant to be good, but although I used their serums for years I am not sure now whether it was the product or the feeling of satisfaction that comes from looking after your skin that made me keep going back...

Makeup Master Class with Jemma Kidd

2011-08-17T15:13:00.002+01:00

I absolutely love Jemma Kidd. Her makeup is amazing and her makeup book "Makeup Master Class" is also amazing (if you haven't got it by now you need to).

So I was excited today when having a look at the beauty section on the Daily Mail I noticed she does Makeup Master Class articles on there!! With pictures like these I'll be having a look and copying regularly!

Pictures from Daily Mail website.

I don't know if I'm totally behind on this as it has been going for some time but if you would like to look to, the link is here! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Jemma+Kidd

Nivea Creme Review

2011-08-16T16:06:00.003+01:00

So whilst in my local Sainsburys the other day I picked up this little tub of Nivea. It's something I have had over the years and go back to from time to time.

It's very thick in formula but slightly easier to blend than Sudocrem.

I like this product because it really is great for moisturising dry chapped skin as well as just normal skin. I've even been using it on my face over the past few days. It acts as a great makeup base, but the downside is that skin does become oilier quicker when using this.

Great in that it keeps you moisturised for ages, but downside is that if you want to use it on your face your makeup might not last as long.

I'm guessing realistically a lot of you won't be wanting to use it on your face though and so for moisturising the rest of your body, this is great!

EOTD - Blue and Purple - An Unlikely Combination?

2011-08-15T12:22:00.002+01:00

So here's another EOTD post for you ladies. This time slightly more daring. Again making use out of my NYX Makeup Box.

I absolutely love this look!! So not something I would ordinarily go for but now that I have tried it I just think that it actually somehow works and I am no longer afraid to use bright blue eyeshadow!!

Apparently it's not only teenages that wear blue eyeshadow haha!

The shades I have used are of course the bright blue on the bottom row, purple on the top row under the eye and then the darker purple on the second row in the crease with the light pink from the top row all over the rest of the lid. I also used a little white to highlight.

What do you think? Yay or Nay??

A/W 2011 - River Island

2011-08-15T12:14:00.004+01:00

And all I really need to say about River Island's autumn winter collection is "you can always count on River Island".

Every year I check out what they are going to have in store and every year I love it!! End of.

Bring on Autumn/Winter!

A/W 2011 - Primark

2011-08-13T16:01:00.003+01:00

So here's Primark's autumn/winter offering.

Definitely a mixture of themes given the extreme brightness and then darkness. Having said that I quite like the below outfits.

What do you reckon? I must admit, I've not been a fan of colour blocking at all since it has been considered fashionable, but I quite like it in these outfits. Still probably wouldn't rush to buy it all though, perhaps just certain pieces from the looks to wear with more muted outfits.

NYX Makeup Box Bronzer and Lipcolour

2011-08-12T14:33:00.004+01:00

So as some of you will know, I have recently been making more use of my NYX Makeup Box, mainly for eyeshadows, but also for bronzer and lip colours. Hence the title of this post!

Here is what the bronzer and one of the lip colours looks like on...

I'm using the first lipcolour on the left in this picture.

I'll be honest, I am not massively sold on the bronzer - it's just a little too shimmery for me and not the best shade for my skin. So really what I would do if anything is use the Bare Minerals Warmth Bronzer and then maybe apply a little of this on top to give a little shimmer.

In terms of the lip colour I really like this colour and it's both moisturising and long lasting so for me just another reason why I love this makeup box!

A/W 2011 - Matalan

2011-08-12T10:47:00.001+01:00

Today I've been looking at Matalan's autumn/winter in order to plan my winter wardrobe.

I love Matalan so much, so full of bargains that actually last. Much better quality than some other cheaper places I have purchased from in the past.

So I was excited to see these lovely outfits...

I love the fabulous glamness of it all!!! Especially the first and last outfits. I cant wait to try the grey waistcoat and trousers for work too!!

What do you reckon ladies?

Witch Skincare Giveaway! CLOSED

2011-08-12T09:00:00.002+01:00

Hi Lovelies!

So remember my post on the amazing WitchSkincare Concealer? (If not it's here and it's amazing haha)

Well I now have the opportunity to offer 10 of you lovely followers the opportunity to win a Witch Anti-Blemish Liquid Concealer each.

The concealer is amazing and can be used for either blemishes or under the eye to cover dark circles. I personally use it for my horrendous dark circles and it gets rid instantly!

The product targets and conceals spots and blemishes with a sleek, click pen design with slim brush ideal for precision application. It is available in two shades, light and medium, to suit most skin tones.

So if you would like to be in with a chance to win one of these cracking concealers, please see the below rules and enter!

1.You must be a follower of my blog (I will check)

2.If you are under 18 you must have parental permission to enter.

3.For one entry - comment below with which shade you would like (light or medium) and your email address so I can contact you if you are one of the 10 winners.

4.For two entries - comment below and post my giveaway on your blog with the link (again I will check!). This can be either a blog post or link to giveaway with picture on sidebar.

5.For three entries - both of the above as well as following me and posting the giveaway link on twitter.com. You must include @GiddyPrincess within your twitter post so that I can check!

The giveaway will be open until 1.00pm GMT on 27th August 2011.

Please don't spam and attempt to enter numerous times - you are only allowed to enter as per the rules above.

♥♥♥♥

If you have any queries don't hesitate to contact me.

♥♥

Giddy Princess xx

♥♥♥♥

*products supplied by PR company for giveaway

NOTD: Elle Freebie

2011-08-11T19:38:00.001+01:00

Hey Lovelies!

Quick NOTD time. I've just taken all my falsies off and painted them ready for hols. My fingers look like stumps! haha

Ah well. This is the nail polish I got with this months Elle Magazine. I wanted a muted shade so that I could get away with wearing it for work which I think is perfect.

It takes two coats to get to this finish but dries pretty quickly and evenly.

As you can see the shade is very cool, which is very fitting for all the wintery weather we seem to be having at the moment. Plus it not only goes with a lot of my navy, blue and grey themed work wardrobe - but also my grey hoodie collection!! haha

Any of you try these Elle Nail Polishes?

Clean & Clear Morning Energy Facial Scrub

2011-08-11T11:34:00.002+01:00

I ran out of my Tesco facial scrub the other day and haven't been able to get there. Which I'm pretty gutted about cos I love that product.

So whilst nipping to my local Sainsburys (which is nearer but one of those tiny ones) I picked this up.

It's got to be meant for girls because there is actually glitter in it!!! So cute. Of course what you really want to know is whether it's any good.

It is, but it's not one of my favourites. I mean it will get your face clean but it doesn't leave it feeling really clean though.

What I've found is that, for me, the beads aren't big enough so it doesn't really feel like my skin is getting exfoliated. I definitely need a face cloth for that feeling.

I wear makeup a lot and heavy ones in the week so I need a really deep clean, which means that this product isn't the perfect match for me. That said, it would probably work well for those of you with skin that doesn't get hammered with foundation, powder, bronzer etc.

Positives? It's smells nice, a little bit goes a long way and it's cheap (I paid around £2).

Would I recommend? Not if you want a really deep, skin buffing clean. But if you just want something that will give the skin a quick clean and leave it feeling fresh then I'd say this is perfectly fine for that.

Seeing As The Winter Is Setting In - Boohoo A/W 2011

2011-08-10T12:52:00.002+01:00

So I am utterly depressed at the fact that winter feels certainly like it is setting in now, with the rain, wind and... oh yeah - complete lack of sun. Naturally, when I am depressed I turn to shopping.
Where better to turn for some bargainous retail therapy but Boohoo.

Operation A/W 2011 outfit starts. And look...

I don't know about you, but I am impressed!

Particularly loving the second outfit to although I'm guessing my trousers would be dragging on the wet ground if I bought them! Still beautiful though!

EOTD - Golden Eye

2011-08-10T12:20:00.002+01:00

This time I am playing with the (now famous) MUA Eyeshadow Heaven & Earth Palette.

And what a palette it is - if you haven't already got it - go out and buy it now. It is bargainous and has all the best colours!

I love this look. It's pretty, warm and sexy. I wanted to try a new look with the Palette as I am going on a break for a few days so I wanted to know what kind of evening looks I could do with this.

And here is the first one.

Do you like??

Any of you been creating similar looks?

I only wish that we had more sunshine so I could do all over bronze with gold shimmery lipgloss and bronzers. I fear it would be too OTT in this poor grey weather!!

Magazine Freebies!

2011-08-10T11:31:00.001+01:00

Eeeee I love a good magazine freebie. Resisted last months, but thought I had to give some of them a go this month.

I am really getting back into my nails at the moment so I went for the magazines that seemed to fit my need appropriately!

As you can this month you can get an Ciate Nail Polish with Marie Claire and an Elle Nail Polish with Elle Magazine (funny that haha).

I have chosen quite muted colours because I wanted to be able to get good use out of them - it's not really appropriate for me to wear too much colour on the nails at work! So I went for nude and grey.

I'm excited to try these and will show you what they look like on very shortly!!

Oooo and in case you hadn't noticed - there is also a nice travel sized Dove Hair Conditioner with Marie Claire! Can't complain!

Witch Anti-Blemish Liquid Concealer

2011-08-09T19:46:00.002+01:00

First thing to say is - amazing.

I absolutely love this. Normally I am a corrector and concealer kind of girl but with this NO NEED!! And for £6.99. Eeeeeeeeek! Happy times!

My Dark Circle Eye

Applied Concealer

Patted Into Skin

And Blended

And Goodbye Dark Circle!!!

LOVE IT!!!

How amazing is that - seriously, for me it is like incredible - nothing has worked for over a year other than Bobbi Brown's corrector and concealer. I still love those products but I cannot believe how good this is and for the price.

I think it's so good because although it is lightweight in consistency it is a heavier coverage than other concealers and so it is great for dark circles. It blends fabulously but doesn't require any setting powder as it dries matte and smooth. I seriously cannot tell you how much I love this and recommend it. Will definitely be buying this when it runs out.

Not only that though WitchSkincare say that the concealer is also good for treating spots and blemishes with witch hazel extract and anti-bacterial properties. I will stick to using this for under my eyes as I don't really get spots (I had my share in my teenage years), but personally I would probably just get two so that I am not mixing the two different uses if I wanted to use for other blemishes. I mean at that price! Why not!?

For more info on WitchSkincare Cosmetics click here. I believe that at present this concealer is stocked at boots and boots.com.

*product supplied for review purposes

EOTD - Monday Blues ♥

2011-08-08T10:25:00.014+01:00

So here's another look I've created using the NYX Makeup Box. Slightly darker today... I named it Monday Blues because it's Monday and I've uesd the navy shade on the outside corner. Clever eh!? haha.

I'm really enjoying using this palette for other looks than my usual basic one shade look.

The shades I used today were the white on the top row, silver on the 3rd row down (2nd 3rd of the lid) and the navy on the 3rd row (outer corner and a little bit of the crease).

Oh, and I also lined the eyes on the bottom rim with the dark purple on the 2nd row down.

What do you think ladies??

♥ My Week in Posts ♥

2011-08-07T19:36:00.001+01:00

This week was a mixture of eyelashes, favourites and the usual beauty bits and bats...

♥ After a year of threatening to post a tutorial on how I curl my eyelashes with heat, I finally got around to it here.

♥ I told you about my July Favourites and recommendations here.

♥ Another lipstick swatch post was provided for you here - this time Sleek Pure Colour in Liqueur (very pretty).

♥ You can see a post on one of the prettiest nail varnishes I have used in a long time here which was at TK Maxx bargain, with some pretty floral nail art.

♥ I also showed you one of my old time favourite skincare creams which can cure acne as well as nappy rash here!

♥ You can also have a look at my new favourite sheer foundation by MUFE in use here should you wish to know what all the fuss is about and what it's like in use.

♥ Oh, and you remember the post about eyelash curling, well here's a sister post of the results following my recent trip to the salon to get my eyelashes permed.

♥ Here's a look I created using NYX's Makeup Box to provide you with an EOTD post.

♥ And finally here's an announcement about Tesco and St Moriz.

Happy Reading xxx

St Moriz Now at Tesco!

2011-08-07T17:15:00.001+01:00

This is just a heads up for all you St Moriz lovers out there...

Tesco now stock St Moriz - saves you heading into town right?

Given the absolutely RUBBISH summer we are once again having I am sure, like me, most of you are rocking some sort of fake tan. Personally I am a lover of HeShi, but that's another story (here and here).

Apparently the tan is on offer until 30th August 2011 in the following terms:-

St. Moriz Self Tanning Mousse Medium (Introductory price of £3.99 - RRP £4.99)

St. Moriz Self Tanning Mousse Dark (Introductory price of £3.99 - RRP £4.99)
St. Moriz Self Tanning Lotion (Introductory price of £3.99 - RRP £4.99)

Happy supermarket shopping tanners!

EOTD - Purple Times ♥

2011-08-07T16:32:00.002+01:00

Hi All,

Hope you are having a lovely weekend!

So here's a pretty simple look I wore on my eyes today that I wanted to share with you...

I don't know if any of you have the NYX Makeup Box but let me tell you - it's fab. There are so many fabulous, well pigmented colours you can choose for your eyes (as well as blush and lipgloss).

I used the top 3 colours on the palette from left to right. Not in that order though. I used white all over, then the pale pink on the outer 2/3's of the lid and then used the purple on the crease.

I think it's a really cute every day look that still has a little oomph without being too made up. I like the burst of colour it creates, especially with my green eyes - the two seem to compliment each other.

Anyway, if you want to have a full look at the NYX makeup box you can here - I've been loving using it since I picked it up at IMATs in London at the beginning of the year. It costs £19.95 to purchase and is totally worth it.

Definitely going to try and use this box more adventourously as I tend to stick to same colours (does anyone else do this??) and I am therefore not making the most of it!!

Hope you like the look anyway!

MUFE Face and Body Foundation Re-discovery

2011-08-06T13:50:00.001+01:00

So recently I re-discovered my MUFE Face and Body Foundation. And I was surprised. I don't know if it is the time of year or something but I now love this product.

Which is odd because although I loved it when I purchased it at IMATs London, I didn't like it when I got home and just found it to be too sheer.

Now I love how sheer it is. Which makes me think it could be the time of year. I think in winter I probably need a little more coverage whereas in summer my skin is a little healthier so I don't need as heavy a product.

Here's what it looks like on...

As I said it's pretty sheer! But I really like that - it feels sooooooo lightweight on my face and lets your actual skin show through whilst evening the tone and smoothing it out.

I remember before purchasing this I saw a couple of girls used it and applied it with a big foundation brush. I don't. I use it with the cosmopolitan foundation sponge and swirl on, or my fingers. As the texture is so runny it makes fora really blendable product, which means you don't use too much which saves on the pennies in the long run!!

In short - I love this foundation and can totally tell why others do.

Have any of you tried it?? I've also included my July Favourites video link so that you can see what it looks like on in the flesh as I am wearing it there too.

Sudocrem Skincare Cream

2011-08-06T12:41:00.001+01:00

Ahhhh you got to love a bit of Sudocrem. I can't remember a time in my life when I have not had this in my drawer!!

I used to use this a lot on my skin when I had lots of teenage spots, but these days I use it when my skin is dry, cracked or looking a bit uneven.

You can see that it's pretty thick in consistency but it will rub in. It looks scary if you put it all over your face though as it turns you white haha! But it is good for evening out my skin.

So I am super chuffed that you can now carry it around with you in a tube rather than in the massive tub. It's a little tough to squeeze it out at first but then it does come out and it's all good!!

It's so much better now that you can carry it around with you in your handbag and to celebrate this fact you can actually go on facebook and use their Sudocrem Bagology Facebook App and work out what you handbag says about you!!

Anyone else been using these new tubes??

*product sent to me to review

Sleek Lipstick in Shade Liqueur

2011-08-02T17:37:00.001+01:00

So you remember last week when I purchased a couple of beauty products, well one of them was a pretty Sleek Lipstick in shade Liquer. I love that word so it was only natural that I picked it up.

Thankfully it was a gorgeous colour too.

So you can appreciate what I am referring to - here are some of my usual lipstick pictures for your viewing pleasure.

July Favourites Video

2011-08-02T17:09:00.000+01:00

Eyelash Curling Tutorial Video

2011-08-02T17:06:00.000+01:00

Sleek Pure Colour Sheen Lipstick in Cherry

2011-07-26T15:35:00.001+01:00

I don't know about you but I love the Sleek lippies. Perfectly pigmented colour for £4.99. Bargainous.

Now I'm a sheen girl myself rather than matte. Matte lipstick just tend to make my lips look scaly after not very much time and given I am also constantly applying lipbalm it would make sense that my lipstick would have moisturising properties.

Although they are a light formula they don't skimp on colour...

Cue my recent new addition to my collection in shade Cherry.

Amazing or what. This colour is so intense that I think primarily it will be a winter shade for me. But perfect for that purpose!

The bad news is that I managed to drop it after swatching it so now it's a little squashed lipstick! Lipbrush time!

Anyone else wear this??

NOTD Jewelled

2011-07-26T11:23:00.003+01:00

Used:-
Barry M shade Grey

And attempted nail art using BornPretty gems. I definitely need to practice!!

6 Week Six Pack DVD

2011-07-26T09:37:00.001+01:00

Wow this DVD is intense!!

Bought this in February and only tried it for first time today (I know - shocking). Bearing in mind I have got into a gym routine recently and seem to be getting used to exercise I was shocked at how hard this DVD works you.

I mean she obviously looks amazing but they always do when it comes to the cover of fitness DVDs. Seriously though. I believe that this woman could make you look like that if you worked out every day for 6 weeks.

I am definitely going to try and get into routine of doing this as well as gym, but I need a mat first.

She has you doing sit ups (weights optional), the plank, side lunges with weights (optional), squats, more lunges, and serious core exercises that I have never come across before.

I might take some stills if any of you need more of an idea.

I would definitely recommend though - I was shattered after a couple of minutes and paid £11 for this in Morrisons!

Time to get a Six Pack!

I'm excited... New Beauty Goodies to Try

2011-07-25T20:52:00.001+01:00

New Jewellery Alert

2011-07-25T20:49:00.000+01:00

Sale Bargains £2 each :)

MAC Lipstick in "Hue"

2011-07-25T08:48:00.003+01:00

So this is the second time I have tried to post this thanks to bloggers amazing skills at losing posts... Annoying.com

Anyway. I also purchased this beautiful lippie on Friday for work. I wanted a nice nude shade that wasn't too OTT and I could wear all year around.

I think I found it. I purchased without trying it on my actual lips, but did swatch it in store. I was happy because it was pink rather than nude nude so felt it wouldn't wash the skin out too much!!

Here's what it looks like on...

I'm really happy with this colour. It's the perfect muted lippie. I think it works well for work, but also if going out with heavy eyemakeup.

What do you think?? Any of you ladies own this colour?