I had one of those £5 off vouchers to use in Boots. Y’know the ones. My bag is always swimming with them though they’re rarely used. No7 just fails to ever truly impress me.

I did however want to try the new Exquisite Curl mascara, it’s been getting rave reviews and I’m trying to kick my L’Oreal Voluminous habit for good (animal testers…). With the voucher the mascara cost me £8. Fair enough. They were also running a gift with purchase, buy the mascara and get a free Define & Shimmer Eye Palette.

Tbh I clocked the colours and kinda wrote it off as “one to give to Mum”

I was wrong. After having a little play with it this morning it’s actually a really pretty palette. Perhaps more autumnal in hue than Spring/ Summer but really very nice all the same. There was minimal fall out (the majority from the lightest colour) and it was super easy to blend. I’m impressed, even more so because it didn’t cost me anything

As for the mascara, I really really like. I don’t think it gives curl AT ALL but it does give flattering volume and builds nicely without clumping. The only small negative is that it really does take you to pump the wand before use to get the curved brush coated adequately in product. Not ideal but hardly the end of the world.

Thumbs up No7. You’re back on my radar

It’s not often I admit I was wrong (Matt can confirm this…)

However I’m gonna hold my hands up high and admit that I was VERY wrong to write off Chanel Paradoxal as a “crap looking colour” Oops.

This is special. Yes you heard me right. Special.
A sophisticated sexy grape with depth and a multitude of finishes depending on the light.

The above is just one coat and as you can see it covers pretty well. Application is a cinch with just the right balance of liquid to cream, and to be honest that’s when my purse starts to not mind having spent the guts of £20 on it.

Two coats is ideal though and knocks it up a notch on the sexy scale.

If you’ve been considering Paradoxal but are yet to take the plunge I highly recommend you do. This will be an Autumn/ Winter staple for you and it’s still available here

xo

I went into town today to buy a bra. I came out with….. a Winter coat   
Sometimes I surprise even myself…

It’s from the Top of the Shops (Topshop for the slow ones…) and cost 80 smackaroonies. I’d rather have spent less… about 80 pounds less.. but since it wasn’t in the sale and I’m not keen on shoplifting I had to suck it up!

Excuse the crap in store photo, washes the colour out a bit and I appear to be sucking on a lemon… but you get the general gist of what it looks like on. It’s a Wool Duffel and it’s AMAZING!!

You can see the caramel colour better here.

The deep pockets, cuffs and hood have a classic tartan detailing.

Check out the wooden toggle buttons with quirky red and green stitching. The quality and finish is superb.

One of my favourite features is the deep hood. My head ain’t small and a hood normally pulls up to my hairline at most. This can be pulled right down over my eyes if needs be and two top buttons allow the coat to be fastened up over the chin. A perfect hidey hole on a bitter cold morning.

Size wise it’s an odd one. I’d normally be a UK size 14 in a coat, especially a winter one where I’ll be layering jumpers underneath. In this even the size 10 was ok on me, room to spare. I think it’s the intended fit. It’s meant to be a roomy coat. I ended up going for the size 12. Happy medium

I really don’t want to take it off yet! However I don’t think it’ll be too long until I’m pulling this coat on out of necessity.
Especially once the NI Brrrrr! sets in.

The only other thing I bought today was this sweet little necklace from River Island for £6.99.

xo

I’ve seen it in black, stone and grey patent, and also a beige and black skin effect and I liked it.
However plain old like turned to full on love when I spied it in this colour.
It makes me feel high just looking at it

With Flash!! Hot Stuff!!!

Gotta love River Island RRP £29.99

Have you bought your Summer bag yet?

xoxo

Steal yourself some runway style at Dunnes Stores right now!
These stylish pumps available in Black, Navy, Red & White ring in at a very recession friendly £6 per pair!!!!!
Extra bonus…. they’re actually comfy!

White & Navy

xoxox

I was asked yesterday to do a review on Chanel’s Bronze Universel. I picked it up just a little over 2 weeks ago and have had a good chance to test it out now.

I think I paid £24, maybe £26 for it in House of Fraser, Belfast. I honestly can’t recall the exact figure, however I do remember immediately thinking thats quite a lot of product for my buck at a Chanel counter, 30g to be exact.

Packaging is nice, I do think the actual container would be classier if it were made of glass, however I can cope with the acrylic pot it comes in, apparently recyclable, so all good

I’ve tried many ways now of applying this, 187, 190, fingers, fan brush & even a sponge. By far my fave technique is the fan brush, it picks up just the right amount of product and I find it easy to control and build on. Second fave would be the trusty finger application, if I’m wanting a more precise application & using it to contour then that wins out.

This morning I took before and after pics for you. In the first pic I have my simple base on of Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Buff and some MAC Select Cover-up. Nothing else. As you can see I have very little “natural” colour to me, in fact I am very yellow in my undertones. And yes, those are hair clamps holding my fringe back, I know, I know, I spoil you all with my sexy poses and accessories…….

And after…….

And with a touch of blush & mascara (no flash)……lookin’ a bit “rabbit caught in headlights”

As you can see quite a difference. I think its very natural though, it took very little product to actually achieve this sun kissed look. I’ve basically used the fan brush to sweep it under my cheekbones, chin, forehead & nose.

In the close-up you can see how it is totally undetectable, it doesn’t cake or accentuate pores. It simply sinks into the skin and leaves a very natural glow, it isn’t glittery or shimmery yet it does give a luminosity which is healthy & bright. I also think “universel” is the perfect word to sum the actual colour up. This suits me (a MAC NC15-20) and yet I know it also suits friends of up to NC35.

It’s going to be a spring/ summer staple for me

…..has been the oddest day, in a good way

About a half hour ago I had to head into Bangor town centre, the postman called earlier with a recorded delivery item and I wasn’t in. I assumed it was an Ebay purchase and left it until later to collect.

I pulled into the car park near the PO, and got out of the car to buy a pay & display ticket, a lady leaving rolled down her car window and called me over, she gave me the ticket she had bought earlier which still had an hours parking left on it. I was touched by this random act of kindness #1

I then went into the PO and signed for the package, I tore it open as I wandered down to Boots and started to smile. Inside was the sweetest note from my old friend Emma who used to live down the street when I was a child. She had been reading my post on budget teeth whitening (with horror) and had said she would send me a syringe of the good stuff. She had done that which I was already so touched by, but she also included 4 gorgeous Chanel testers namely, Mat Lumiére Powder and 3 of the nail polishes Cobra, Paparazzi & Electra. I can’t wait to try them out. Random act of kindness #2

As I grinned my way into Boots (just for a wander) I noticed that they had reduced a lot of their No7 Limited Edition goodies and some of the regular foundations which they must be discontinuing. I have been after the Petal Blusher, the one advertised by Keeley Hawes for the last few weeks. They always seem to get so little of these LE things in. I was just having a general gripe about this with the girl at the counter who agreed me with me (in a good humoured way) when she simply ripped up the one stuck down on the display and said “take it”, I was a bit shocked and offered to pay for it as it was barely tested, she just pressed it into my hand and told me to have it as it would likely be binned anyway in another week. Random act of kindness #3

So thank you to Emma and to the two very kind strangers, within half an hour you all made me smile, brightened my day and restored my belief in human nature xoxox

Some of you were asking on Twitter what I got while out on Tuesday doing birthday shopping, I’m always a bit reluctant to do the whole “haul” thing as I don’t want anyone to think I’m boasting, but I know myself how much I love seeing what other people buy.
Please bear in mind though that birthday money was used to purchase everything, I only have a Saturday job and would never normally spend this much on cosmetics etc. It’s so much easier to spend other peoples money

So with all my excuses for my extravagance out of the way… voila!

Clothing, two empire style tops (perfect for hiding tummy and accentuating the boobies), the bow one (<3 bows) is from H & M and the coral one is from Dunnes, I have the coral top also in blue and grey, I’m that type of person, like it? Buy it in all available colours. Just call me Elton…

A pearl and gold effect bow necklace from Miss Selfridge & cute silver bow diamante earrings from Peacocks

A Hello Kitty make-up bag from Claire’s, this is my third? If I see one I just have to buy it, its an illness

The Laura Ashley storage drawer set from WH Smith, this is to hide all my pigments, palettes and Cream Colour Bases in, thanks to Bubblegarm who alerted me to the fact it was reduced

MAC brushes, namely the 136, 187 & 227 and also a refill of Wedge eyeshadow and I picked up Brulé which I have yet to try out. Matt nearly had a coronary when he heard the brush prices, however good brushes really are an investment if you look after them, especially in my line of work

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, yet to try but always hearing its better than one of my favourites, Fluidline, so going to test that theory out

Chanel Bronze Universel, again bought due to the hype surrounding the product at the moment and the fact that I am STILL searching for my holy grail in regards to bronzer

A refill of my fave solid cleanser Lush Baby Face and a small bottle of the Tea Tree Toner Water which my friend Kelly recommended

Lashes, lashes and lashes…. check out the Miss Eyelure range, I’ve been using these in college and they are foolproof if you’re not so good with the falsies, pre-glued and take 2 secs to apply, super sticky and stay put all night. The little corner ones are amazing and sooo flirty.

Two Faced Shadow Insurance, just to try something different, I’m an UDPP gal when it comes to eyeshadow bases, but I’m always willing to be proved wrong

And finally some Maybelline Volum’ Express Mascara that was recommended by Anne Marie (I think) and a Rimmel brow pencil, cheap and cheerful!

Let me know if you have any experience with the products I picked up, suggestions on use etc

xoxox

Until I started watching Pixiwoo’s channel on YouTube a few months ago I had never really even considered Chanel Foundation. Her constant use of its many variations piqued my interest and I bought the Pro Lumiére as being someone who likes the full coverage I thought this would be the one for me.

I used it a few times but actually found it quite hard to work with and blend. It felt overly heavy, more so than my favourite mask foundation Estee Lauder Double Wear. To my mind this is an on location foundation, Pro being the operative word, this foundation makes skin look a dream through a lens, it is by no means a “natural” finish.

After about a month I think I had used it 4 times tops and I swapped it out, tbh thought that was the end of my adventures with Chanel.

That was until my good chum @karenquinn treated herself to Chanel Vita lumiére foundation, she wore it out and simply glowed, much like the effect I get from MUFE HD. I vowed to pick it up next time I was flush (that stage is still yet to arrive…). In the meantime while chatting to kelanjo19 over AIM we got to talking about our wish list products and possible swaps. Stored under her bed kelanjo19 had a almost full bottle of the Chanel Mat Lumiére! It was too light for her, me being the pasty girl I am jumped at the swap and it arrived last week.

This I <3

Shade is 30 Cendre Intensity 1.5 and suits my NC15 – 20 skin perfectly.

You don’t need a lot of product to obtain a full coverage face with this, I love the matt finish, very flattering, gives that flawless look I adore. You do need to work quickly with your brush though as once this sets it aint going anywhere until you get out the make-up remover. Another reason I love it, transfer rate is practically nil.

To my mind I wouldn’t particularly want to see a 16yr old sporting Chanel’s foundations. They are full coverage and as such give you a blank canvas, they cover the bad as well as the good. Which at almost 30 I’m not complaining about, but for a youthful skinned teenager I feel would simply be a shame. Why cover that up?

Bad points are that its pricey, not an issue for some, but at £40 I have to really love something. Luckily with this I do, however I’m waiting it out until someone purchases Vita lumiére for me as I can’t justify it right now. I love the look of it but I am also 110% sure that MUFE HD works for me on the luminous front so its a lot more likely that I’ll re-purchase it again if I have some spare readies

My advice in regards to Chanel is make the most of a counter appointment at your local House of Fraser etc. Try them on, ask for samples, be sure. They definitely aren’t for everyone! xox

Firstly can I just start by saying how doing this has only confirmed what I already knew, I carry way too much crap in my bag! I’ve looked at others peoples “What’s in my bag?” posts and feel despondent at my complete lack of organisation in the bag department.

I literally emptied the contents of my bag and then tried to assemble the wreckage into something suitable for viewing…. nothing has been omitted so apologies…

The contents of my bag.... yikes!

Ok, so firstly the bag is from Marks & Spencers, I suppose its a medium sized black bag, I mistakenly assumed if I changed to a smaller bag I would carry less… wrong! I am now a pro at “cramming” lol. I liked the chrome chain/ leather handle, I like Chanel-esque details

• Ear Muffs – I walk to work, if my ears are warm, all of me is warm. Leopard print a fave, just call me Bet Gilroy
• Chinese Takeaway Menu – love my food, picked this up when we were out last night
• Hair Band – growing it out, this I use at college to keep my bangs out of my eyes
• Keys – a large bunch that makes me look like I run a hotel, don’t need half of them
• Grout Pen – about 3 months ago I took a notion I would whiten the grout round the sink…… never opened
• 3 Lip glosses, YSL, MAC Soft & Slow, MAC Springbean
• Weightwatchers record card – haven’t been in 2 months
• Ibuprofen & Paracetamol – just in casey!
• Change – should be in my purse, inevitably ended up in bottom of bag
• A Tampon – just in casey!
• Extra Chewing Gum – rarely chew gum but like to have it, another just in case item I guess
• O.P.I polish and Seche Vite Top Coat for retouches
• iPhone – present from the hubby, never without it, can no longer operate other phones!
• LV Purse – button starting to wear, would like a new purse for my birthday… hint hint
• Red Bow Purse from Tesco’s – my “going out” purse as I hate taking anything heavy out or all my cards
• Receipts
• Mars Bar and Dairy Milk Wrapper – I am a chocoholic, these are my cigarette substitutes
• Sally’s Trade Card Application – need to complete this, as a make-up Student I get discount
• Chilli Pepper Wrap – contains 4 cute make-up brushes

I think thats everything!

xox

Am so stupidly excited today about Christmas!!

I am always childishly hyper (hubby would say annoying) in the run up. It has got ten times worse since having my own kids, as I just feed off their innocent hope and wonder towards all things “Santa”!!

It totally hasn’t helped that @cimota presented me with this “surprise” package yesterday. I have absolutely no idea what it contains but can’t WAIT to find out!!!

So in an effort to keep calm I’ve turned to my make-up for a half hour

This is a smokey purple look, almost charcoal looking, but as you can see in the third picture under certain light you see the pretty purple haze. Its very sultry and would be gorgeous for wearing to a Christmas Eve party or even New Years Eve. I have taken the sparkle up an extra notch using body glitter over the lid but you could leave that step out for a more subtle shimmer.

Click on pictures to enlarge

What did I use?

Face

• Revlon Color Stay Foundation 180 Sand Beige
• Barbara Daly @ Tesco Concealer Medium
• M&S Autograph Dark Circle Concealer under eyes
• MAC MSF So Ceylon (highlight)
• Paula Dorf Cheek Color Ballet

Eyes

• UDPP (base)
• NYX Jumbo Shadow Pencil 606 Baby Blue (main lid)
• Coastal Scents Neutral Palette Soft Pink (2nd row, 3rd from left) (brow bone)
• NARS Night Rider (main lid)
• NARS Barbuda (crease & under lower lash line)
• Coastal Scents Neutral Palette Purple Black (top row, far right) (smoked into crease)
• Barry M Loose Body Glitter 8 (applied with mixing medium all over main lid)
• Max Factor Master Piece Glide & Define Liquid Liner (top lash line)
• MAC Powerpoint Pencil Engraved (water line)
• L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara Carbon Black

Lips

• Chanel Gloss 108