Here's To....

Here's to...my lovely, handsome husband who always makes me laugh and never fails to make me smile when I have a bad day...

Here's to...Wolverine and his many failed attempts to escape from his cage this week, you have to admire his persistence...

Here's to...a yummy body lotion, Philosophy's Wild Blackberry Blossom, that makes your mouth water when you apply it and is seriously addictive...

Here's to...re-discovering old favourites.  I started using my Aveda Damage Remedy shampoo and conditioner again and I had forgotten how much I love this combo for making my hair incredibly volumised, manageable and shiny...

Cue happy hair pic....

Here's to...slowly making my Jem fancy dress costume from scratch (photos of finished outfit to be posted once completed!)...

Here's to...lusting after dream storage products from Howards Storage World.  I really want this jewellery tidy...

AND this bag tidy for my closet...

AND this bigger hanging jewellery tidy...I want! I want!

Here's to...a song that reminds you to forget the people who have royally hacked you off and get on with your fabulous life...Tali, this one's in support for you...please don't give up blogging!  We love you girl!

Feel free to do one of these posts yourself...I would love to see what other people are loving this week!

Tali's Tag: Would You Rather?...

Tali's TAG: Would You Rather..

I thought this looked like fun so here goes...

Never use mascara again or bronzer again?
Well as I've said many times before, I resemble the above picture when I don't wear mascara (ok...SLIGHT exaggeration but you know what I mean!). So it would have to be mascara all the way for me, unless I could get my eyelashes tinted! I could just use fake tan to get my glow on and skip the bronzer.

Only be able to buy high end make-up or drugstore make-up again?
I would have to choose high end makeup because most of my favourites belong to brands like YSL, Dior and Estee Lauder. If I'm being completely honest, the higher end brands make me feel more special, they often feel and look more luxurious so it feels more like I'm treating myself.

Be In Love or Be Loved?
Oh man, I would definitely prefer to be loved. I don't think there's anything more painful than unrequited love! Remember that crush you had in high school and he never even noticed you existed?...ok, so that was probably more infatuation than love but it hurts all the same. I often think if we displayed the same behaviour now with the opposite sex as we did when we were teenagers, we would be branded as stalkers!ha ha. Writing his name on your pencil case, working out in percentage terms how compatible you are, choosing the same subjects as him in the vain hope of sitting next to him, following him home from school...joke! I never did that...and if anyone tells you otherwise then they're a big fat liar! The weird thing is, 9 times out of 10, these guys lose their looks when they grow up and you're left in awe of the geeky boys who have turned into gods! Ah...you have to love the poetic justice of it all!

Go out with chipped nail varnish or unshaven legs?
Well considering I'm an OCD freak 90% of the time, the chipped nail varnish would be VERY hard to bear. Seriously, if I even get one little chip on my nail, I have to take the whole lot off...I know, I have a problem! However, the thought of going out with unshaven legs would just feel gross to me...unless I could hide them under some opaque black tights! So chipped nails it is (ugh...I just shuddered at the mere thought of it).

Go out with messy hair or no make-up?
Ha ha ha...considering I am a makeup addict, this one is easy peasy sesameesy! I would rather go outside with messy hair any day than without a scrap of makeup. I have suffered years of ridicule and questioning from my family/friends about the fact that I won't go makeup-less but it's part of who I am so I make no apology for it! I like to look put together and well presented at all times so makeup is a must for me. Some girls are lucky enough to be able to go without makeup and look good (my friends being in this category) but I have high coloration in my cheeks which would lead people to ask if I'm:

a) entering the menopause early and dealing with hot flushes or;
b) embarassed about something and blushing uncontrollably

Generally speaking, if your makeup looks fab, it doesn't tend to matter what your hair looks like. Plus I often think that messy hair can look good!

Leave the house with an orange tan or peroxide-gone-wrong ginger hair?
Hmmm this is a tough one as neither of them appeal to me (maybe it would if I was Christina Aguilera circa 2002). I have had a few disastrous fake tan incidents...who hasn't?! So I know first hand the embarassment of going one shade shy of Oompa Loompa. BUT I would say that peroxide-gone-wrong ginger hair would be more expensive to fix and it would take longer to rescue your burnt out hair. So it's with much upset that I choose the orange tan...at least you could exfoliate the bejesus out of yourself to remove it and within a couple of days you would look semi-normal again!

It were Winter forever or Summer forever?
This should be an easy answer...most people would choose summer. HOWEVER, this depends where you live...we all know that summers in the UK are not great and tend to be a disappointment. Plus, I'm actually well climitised to the Scottish weather so I find it hard to deal with mega hot weather and the fact that makeup just slides off your face, you have to apply sun screen a couple of times every day, it's harder to keep your hair in good condition and the sun ages your skin more quickly when it's at it's strongest. I hate to admit it but I quite like winter...being all cosy inside (an excuse to get extra close to the man in your life!), sipping hot chocolate whilst it's cold and snowy outside, building snow men with your pals and having snowball fights, being able to layer lovely clothes and not worry about being in the best shape ever, Christmas and family time...etc. So I choose winter!

Leave the house with dried toothpaste drool or crusty yellow sleep eyes?
Hmmm...neither of these are particularly enticing but I would probably have to choose the dried toothpaste drool because crusty yellow sleep stuff is gross! It used to scare me when I was a kid and I was being told that the sandman came at night to put the sleep stuff in your eyes! What kid would be comfortable with a grown male stranger sneaking around their bedroom whilst they were asleep?! (it's ok santa, you get a pass!)

Give up all MAC or Illamasqua products?
I like both brands but I definitely have more favourite products from MAC...I love their lipsticks, MSF's, blushes and pigments. Illamasqua are a relatively new brand so it would be difficult for them to compete with the likes of MAC who are almost an institution in the world of makeup!

Looking forward to seeing everyone else's answers!

The Prettiest Peach Blush...

I can't say that I've ever been obsessed with blush products, given that I have naturally rosy cheeks, so I tend to stick to delicate shades of pink and peach to flatter my skin tone.  As you know, my current favourite is Benefit's Coralista and I used it non-stop during the summer months.

However I have increasingly been feeling that I need to start using a blush that's more appropriate for the autumnal/winter months i.e. a product without any 'shimmer' particles.  As we all know, the light in the winter months can be harsh and it almost more of a white light than the yellow light you get in the summer months.

Chantecaille is a brand that I have never looked into before as it's not readily available at make up counters in Aberdeen, therefore you have to rely on online swatches/colour descriptions.  It's a high end brand with high end prices (this blush product is £23.00 for 2.5g).  I would say that it's definitely worth doing your research before you buy anything as no one likes to spend alot of money blindly on cosmetics just to find out that the shade doesn't suit your skin tone.  I think we have all experienced that before!

This is Chantecaille Cheek Shade in 'Joy'...

This blush is the most beautiful shade of peachy pink and has been formulated to create 'the most subtly convincing blush of colour'.  It has an incredibly feathery light, fine texture that is so smooth, it almost feels creamy to the touch.  This is definitely a blush product that would appeal to Holly, Tali and Aleksis.

This blush contains vitamins A, C and E and has a soft matte finish that looks really natural on the skin.  It doesn't sit on top of your make up and look powdery like some blushers can, it just blends in beautifully.  Here's a swatch so you can see the loveliness for yourself...

I really love the colour and formulation of this product and it does ooze quality however it's an expensive blush so I would imagine it's only one for those who really are blush obsessed.  You don't get a massive amount of product for your money but the product you do get is top notch.  This blush is very pigmented so you only need to dab your blush brush into it to get the desired amount.  It lasts all day on me without having to re-apply (for reference I have combination/dry skin).  The packaging is very compact and really easy to pop into a small make up bag for touch ups so it would also be great for when you are travelling.

So, in conclusion, if you absolutely love blush and love peachy pink tones, then this product is for you.  However, if you aren't too fussed about blush and prefer something more affordable, then I would recommend MeMeMe, Korres or Sleek blushes.

Have you tried anything from Chantecaille?

If You Like Glitter, You'll Love This...

Hey, I hope you all had a fun weekend! 

I spent mine out with friends, having a meal with my lovely husband at our favourite French restaurant and going to the cinema to see 'The Last Exorcism'.

I remember the other week I was watching The Saturdays 24/7 on TV and I saw Mollie from the band getting a manicure done.  She got the coolest pink glitter nail polish applied and ever since then I have been obsessed with finding something that fits the bill.  I haven't worn glitter nail polish since I was a young teenager but I think it actually looks really fun if you wear it with the right outfit.  For instance, I would never wear it with a sequin dress or anything too busy.  But, when worn with a more simple dress and a black blazer, it adds a little touch of tack that looks more quirky than childish.

This is just a quick post to show you a new nail polish in my collection from Orly called 'VIP'.  It has to be the most perfect polish for my fancy dress outfit as Jem...it's pink, it's full on glitter and it's very in-your-face 80's. It's not a polish I would wear everyday but it's actually a really fun polish when you want to go more glam.  This is what it looks like after two coats...

Something I do remember about glitter nail polishes is that they can be impossible to remove but if you make sure you apply a good coat of clear polish beforehand then it should be a cinch to remove.

The Orly VIP polish almost has a reflective metallic look to it when you see it from a distance.  I never thought I would see myself wearing a glitter polish as an adult but you know something...I love it!  It's incredibly girly but hey, I'm a girly girl so that's fine by me!

Would you rock glitter polish or do you prefer something more subdued?

And here's a pic of Wolfey...just because! Isn't he just the cutest little thing ever! I love him because he is such a gentle soul, he never bites or scratches and he's just adorable.  He makes me smile :)

Asos Outlet Sale Lust Haves

I got an email through about the sale currently on at ASOS Outlet and these are the things that caught my little eye and may (accidentally on purpose) end up falling into the virtual basket and being purchased.

One Teaspoon Free Love Dress £20.00 - This would be perfect with skinny jeans or with leggings/tights.  You could dress it up by adding a statement belt to cinch you in at the waist.

Jarlo Aphrodite Dress £22.00 - I love the one shoulder detail on this dress!

Steve Madden Shoe Boot £45.00 - I have a thing about grey at the moment...it just goes with everything!

Claudia Canova Grab Bag £25.00 - This khaki-grey bag is a perfect everyday casual essential!

Have you seen anything in the sale?  

I Had a Debenhams Voucher Burning A Hole In My Pocket....

I was meandering in town with my mum yesterday and she just loves to help me spend money...apparently it's revenge for all the money she spent on me when I was living at home!  I had a Debenhams voucher in my wallet that I had forgotten about for a while so I decided to put it to good use.

I have been looking for a pair of day-time appropriate black boots for a while now to wear with jeans, tights/skirts etc.  I was wandering around the shoe department in Debenhams and I was excited to see that they now have a collection of Dune shoes that are exclusive to Debenhams called 'Head Over Heels'.  We don't have a Dune store in Aberdeen so we have to rely on shops like John Lewis to stock the ones we like! It's always awkward ordering shoes over the net.  They had signs up everywhere in the 'Head Over Heels' section with '20% off' so naturally this attracted me even more!

After trying on a few pairs, I decided on these shoe boots...

 They have a perfect sized, cone-shaped heel and are really comfortable.  They are not the most exciting shoes in my collection but they are great basics and will go with just about anything.  I really like Dune shoes because they always feel high quality and last a long time.  I already have my eye on a couple of other winter boots from the 'Head Over Heels' range.

Oh and in other news, I have decided to dress up as Jem for my friend's 80's themed party.  I have found an outfit online and also a fake mic that I am going to DIY glamify by sticking glitter and jewels to! Yah! I can't wait!

I have been making up a playlist of 80's tunes for the party and I had a huge smile on my face listening to some of the tunes.  I love how cheesy the 80's were and I think the party is going to be so much fun.  I was going on about a Scottish band, Hue & Cry, they did a song that I used to love when I was a kid, I played it for Chris and he said he'd never heard of it!!!

Please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers this tune....



Here's another one that made me smile...I can't wait to have a silly dance off at the party to this...



What's your favourite 80's tune that makes you smile? What is your best 'dance off' move?

New Make up Area

My second post for today! Woo, I'm on a role! I just wanted to share my new 'make up area' with you guys...ok, so it's a computer desk that I have loaded up with my stuff but I like to think of it as my 'special place'!ha ha.  

Ever since I moved in with Chris 3 years ago, I have always just sat in front of the mirror and put my slap on.  This isn't the best way to do things because:

a) it hurts your legs (or you get dead legs!)

b) there have been numerous make up spillages on the carpet...eek! 

c) the lighting isn't always great

We have always had a computer desk gathering dust in the spare room and since we have a laptop, we never use the desk.  So...I recently convinced Chris that I should start using it for all my make-up and hair stuff...genius! So we toddled off to B&Q at the weekend on the search for a suitable chair for me to use.  We found this beech effect bar stool in there and it was on clearance for only £15! Snapped that baby up! 

It fits perfectly under the desk so now I have a proper area to beautify myself.  While we were in B & Q, I also spotted a mirror with LED lights so I got that as well.  The desk is actually perfect for storing all my cosmetics, hair products and straighteners etc.  I even have an iPod dock on the table so I can listen to my music...essential when getting ready for a night out!

All my make up palettes are neatly stacked on the top of the desk or slotted in between the storage units.

The pull out keyboard shelf is perfect for storing all my most-used lip glosses for easy access!...

There's a lot of room under the desk for, guess what...more make-up!

I am a bit of a neat freak sometimes so I feel so much more organised now I have a proper place for everything...it brings me into a state of calm...sad I know, but that's my OCD burden and I'm happy to carry it!

I don't know why this makes me so happy to see all my stuff all neatly tucked away and organised, but it brought a smile to my face.  Chris doesn't really get it and is very amused at my new play area...he has been banned from touching anything on the table though...boys always want to ruin our fun don't they!

On another note, I am not generally a fan of Enrique Iglesias as his music is normally quite cheesy but I LOVE his new song with Nicole Scherzinger and it has been on repeat all weekend on my iPod.  I have been walking around singing it non-stop.  It's a nice chilled out dance song that is incredibly catchy! You've been warned....


What song is constantly going around your head at the moment? Have you recently revamped your make up space?

Rouge Bunny Rouge

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a good weekend!

Now you guys know how much I love Rouge Bunny Rouge and I have been looking forward to trying their bronzer for a looooong time.  I finally got my hands on the Bronzing Glow Powder - As If It Were Summer Still in the 'At Goldcombe Bay' shade and it's beautiful! I love the mystical, magical, fairytale concept of the brand as a whole and the kitsch packaging is adorable, it's so unique to anything else I have in my collection...

I remember the lovely  Tali raving about the RBR Bronzer a while ago on her blog and ever since, I have been lusting after it for a really natural, flawless finish. 

I'm never sure why bronzing products come with a round sponge applicator because I don't know anyone who applied their bronzer like that?! I always apply mine with a big fluffy powder brush to get the most natural finish on my skin.

You will see from the pan how natural the colour is, there's absolutely no orangey tones in this bronzer so you can be sure you will get a really nice result.  There is the tiniest hint of shimmer which you can JUST about see in the pic below but this just translates to the skin as a beautiful radiance without any visible 'glitter' or shimmery effect.  This bronzer is more than suitable for daytime wear as it lifts the face and makes you look really fresh.  It's the kind of bronzer that you can really build up to the intensity that's right for you, so you don't have to be so conscious of overdoing things.  For me, it's fail safe and it definitely rivals my Dior Matte Bronzer however the RBR bronzer is very expensive at £41.00.  It really is something that you would treat yourself to on a birthday or special occasion and then use for special occasions to eek it out as far as possible.

The other product from Rouge Bunny Rouge that I've had my eye on for a while is the Quartz Eyeliner Devotion Ink in Tigers Eye which is described as a 'diluted black ink base, lavished with 24 carat gold and polished copper for an overall bursting with glitter, black-bronze holographic effect'.  Sounds amazing right? At £27.00 a pop you would hope it was.

You guys all know that I go nuts for anything metallic so the idea of metallic eye liners really floats my boat big time!  This eye liner has a felt tip applicator which always makes using the product a lot easier.  On first application I was initially a little bit disappointed because I was expecting a more intense colour, however I quickly realised that you have to apply one coat then go over it again for maximum impact.  The glitter particles in this liquid eye liner are so teeny tiny that it just looks like a metallic effect rather than individual pieces of glitter.  It catches the light beautifully and looks incredible against gold or bronze eye shadow.    

In an attempt to make the product last longer, I will probably apply a cheaper brown liquid eyeliner first and then apply the RBR one over the top to add dimension.  Once again, this product is very expensive so you wouldn't want to waste it unnecessarily.  These really are products to purchase when you really want to treat yourself to something special.

I got two samples with the above products and the first one excited me from the moment I opened it...it's a small sample of the Highlighting Liquid in Seas of Illumination.  I already have a full-size version of the Sea of Showers Highlighter which is a goldy bronze colour.  This opalescent pink one would be perfect for the winter months and it's almost like a thinner consistency version of Benefit High Beam.  Although I actually prefer the effect I get with the RBR Highlighter as it doesn't seem to disturb your make up when you apply it over foundation/powder.  It's so light and easily absorbed that it glides onto the skin in such a lovely way.  It gives the most amazing radiance on your cheekbones that looks so incredibly natural.  I'm in love with the effect it gives and I have promised myself that I will get a full size version when my finances permit!  You only need a tiny amount of this product for each application so in this instance, it really is worth the cash. 

The second sample is the Rouge Bunny Rouge Loose Glitter Pigment in Wishing For Wings, which is described as 'iridescent light nude mauve with silvery reflections'.  I think you would love this shade Tali! It's almost like MAC's Shale e/s but with more silver reflects.  It's gorgeous!  A perfect daytime shade for when you want something a little different from the norm.  I love the Rouge Bunny Rouge eye shadows and this glitter pigment really didn't let me down.  The glitter particles are so fine and delicate that it should really be described as a shimmer pigment.  There was no fall out whatsoever from this product and it is so smooth as you can see from the swatches below...

Alot of people complain about the price of the Rouge Bunny Rouge products but you have to keep in mind that it really is a luxury brand and 9 times out of 10, you get what you pay for.  It's the same as buying a Burberry bag instead of one from H & M.  Some people are willing to shell out the cash and some people aren't.  And that's completely fine, it's all down to personal preference.  All I know is that the Rouge Bunny Rouge products make me feel special and glamorous and to me, that's what cosmetics are all about.  Granted you don't always have to spend a lot of money to get great products, but for the times when I want buy a gift for myself, Rouge Bunny Rouge is a brand I always think of.  

Have you tried any Rouge Bunny Rouge products lately?

A Couple of Massive Skincare Product Raves

This Origins product has already been mentioned by Holly on her YouTube channel and that's where I first got wind of it.  I'm obsessed with having smooth, even, clear skin and I'm always experimenting with products that will deliver what I want.  I have to say that my skin is currently in the best condition it's ever been in and I put that down to these two products I am about to talk about.  I have noticed a big difference in my skin in the past couple of weeks and these are the only new products I have been using.

You know how it is at 'that time of the month' when you get hormonal and in my case, I ALWAYS get a few spots around my chin area.  However this month that didn't happen...for the first time ever.  I have been using the Origins Brighter By Nature High Potency Brightening Peel with fruit acids twice a week. The pads are formulated WITHOUT Parabens, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, PABA, Petroleum, Paraffin, DEA, Synthetic Color, Synthetic Fragrance and Animal Ingredients.  Also, Origins only test their products on volunteer panels.  Here's a list of some of the ingredients:

• Fruit Oils and extracts of Lime, Grapefruit, Blueberry, Cranberry, Apple, Pomegranate and Grape
• Salicylic Acid
• Witch Hazel
• Caffeine
• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Goji Berry

So you get the picture from this list of some of the ingredients that it's packed with good stuff for your skin.  Origins claim that this product rivals the benefits of a professional 30% glycolic peel without the redness and irritation.  The product is designed to even out skin tone, keep your skin clear of blemishes and make your skin smooth and radiant.

I have never had a professional glycolic peel but I have to say that I was so impressed by this Origins product.  It is so unbelievably easy to use because all you have to do is swipe one of the moist pads over your face and you're done! The pad has a slightly exfoliating feel to it but it's not in any way uncomfortable, you just feel a slight tingling sensation.  Afterwards your skin feels refreshed, soft and super smooth! Over time, I have noticed that my skin has become a lot more even and I haven't had one spot in 2 weeks now, not even tiny ones!  I feel so much more confident when my skin is really clear and it also means that I don't have to faff around with concealer all the time.  So it saves me time too! I love the luminosity this product gives to my skin, it's just glowing at the moment (and I don't think that's just down to being a newlywed!).  

The only slight downside for me is the price which is £28.00 for a jar of 40 pads.  If you are using this twice a week then it will only last around 20 weeks.  Obviously it's an expensive product but in my opinion, it's worth the money because it has really helped to transform my skin and it will undoubtedly save me money on new concealers.  It's all down to personal preference on whether you want to spend that kind of money on skincare.  I believe in paying for higher end products that really work but I mix them with cheaper products that also work for me.

Now I've already featured this product on my blog recently but I just HAD to mention it again because I really feel like it has also made a hug difference to my skincare regime.  It's the Good Things Miracle Mattifier Moisturiser with superfruit extracts.  This is another product that's suitable for vegetarians and vegans and it's also free from Parabens etc, etc.  It feels good to be using products that are packed with skin loving ingredients.  It's £7.99 for 100ml so I think that is very reasonable given that a little goes a long way.  I was also surprised that the moisturiser was so creamy and almost has a rich feeling to it.  The first thing you'll notice about this moisturiser is that it smells divine...exactly like Blackcurrants.  For me, that just makes it a total pleasure to apply to my face everyday.

This moisturiser really does keep your face shine-free and it makes an excellent base for my make up.  My foundation glides on and really 'sticks' to my skin when I use this beforehand.  As I said above, my skin has been so clear lately and this moisturiser also helps to make your skin less prone to breakouts because of the clarifying Blackcurrant extract.  It keeps my skin hydrated which is rare with this type of oil control moisturiser.  I really want to try some of the other Good Things products as this moisturiser has been a roaring success with my skin.