The Golden Lily

An Oldie but a Goodie....

2010-04-29T15:06:00.009+01:00

...actually make that two oldies but goodies. The other day I had time for a mini haul before catching the bus home from work, so I popped into Boots and then to Mac. I picked up a couple of items which have been around for a while and which I have wanted to own for yonks - and now I do!

First of all, my much coveted Too faced Natural Eye Kit. I am a massive lover of neutrals, and slightly bored (for now) of using my Mac shadows so I thought I'd finally give in and buy this. For £22.50 in the UK I don't think it is too bad a deal, as the shadow quality is good, although some pans are a little on the small side for my liking! (Which also makes it a bit harder to give a brush a good swipe across the surface, but hey, I love it anyway).

It comes with a little sliding out drawer with a double ended brush in it. One side has a pretty useless sponge tip to it, but the other is an angle brush which is not all that bad considering it came in a palette, and which could be called upon in a brushless emergency. It also comes with three little cards inside the lid which show you how to apply the shadows for three different looks, using all three 'levels' of the shadows - Day, Classic and Fashion. I absolutely love the first two, they are both gorgeous! The Day look is a stunningly simple, work-appropriate neutral look.

Unfortunately this palette doesn't have a mirror - if it did, then it would be perfect!

At the moment in Boots if you spend over £20 on Too Faced you get this free gift:

It includes a Starry Eyed glitter liner (mini) in Mad Mad Love, which is a pinky lilac glitter liner (swatch below), mini Mirror Mirror lipgloss in Don't Hate Me (pinky lipgloss bordering on clear - but lovely texture) and a mini Lash Injection mascara in Black. All contained in a pink satiny bag. All in all well worth the £20 if you ask me!

From left to right, the shadows are the Day look, Classic look and Fashion look - and the glitter liner:

The other item I picked up was a Blushcreme from Mac in the shade Lillicent. How gorgeous is this?! It's a pale pink with a hint of peach. On my NC25 skin it looks so natural. Combined with the day look from the palette above, I look polished but not overly made up. These two items are my new favourite look :) The Blushcreme also looks good on the lips - a peachy nude. Would be great mixed with some balm.

Have you tried these? If so, what did you think?

Three of Me

2010-04-13T16:15:00.002+01:00

I saw this tag on Kelly's blog, Plane Beauty, and it looks fun...so here is mine:

Three names I go by:

1. Liss
2. Lissa
3. Lil (my mum and brother call me that for some reason)

Three jobs I have had:

1. Factory worker (packing Y Fronts into boxes hahaha)
2. Travel Coordinator
3. Trainee Fingerprints Expert

Three places I have lived:

1. Oxford
2. Wolverhampton
3. Liverpool

Three favorite drinks:

1. Water
2. Tequila (shots!)
3. Apple juice

Three TV shows I watch:

1. Real Housewives (all of them)
2. 30 Rock
3. Desperate Housewives

Three places I have been:

1. Tunisia
2. Florida
3. Sweden

Three places I would like to visit:

1. Australia
2. New Zealand
3. Israel

Three people who text me regularly:

1. Boyfriend
2. Mum
3. Helen

Three Favourite Old TV Shows:

1. Only Fools and Horses
2. Bagpuss
3. Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds

Three Favorite Dishes:

1. Veggie stir fry
2. Chips and curry sauce!
3. Pasta bake mmmmmmmmm

Three makeup products I cannot live without:

1. Mascara
2. Black eye liner
3. Blusher (Coralista)

Three Things I'm Looking Forward to:

1. Summer
2. Hen party holiday in Marbella in July woo hoo!
3. My boyfriend's birthday

I tag everyone, so if you want to do this let me know and leave a comment as I would love to read yours.

What's In and Out # 1

2010-04-13T15:02:00.003+01:00

One of my absolute favourite type of posts to read on other blogs are people's current Ins and Outs. It's so fascinating to learn what's going on elsewhere and what people are thinking about! I thought I would start my own off, inspired by the change in season and the current amount of sunshine we are getting in the UK! This has made me reassess my makeup, clothes and everything I do!

WHAT'S IN

- Being outside! Lately it's been possible to get out and about without layers of clothing, a scarf and gloves and sometimes even a hat! The presence of sunshine is so uplifting and I find just sitting outside on a bench watching the world go by has become one of my favourite things to do.

- Being healthy! Yes I know this should be on everyone's 'In' list but over the past few months it has not been a priority of mine. My priority seems to have been to eat everything in sight especially if it's junk! But I am feeling very proud of myself as 5 weeks ago yesterday I managed to beat what had become a real addiction...Diet Coke. I haven't touched a drop for 5 weeks, and I can't believe it! I am not joking when I say I was addicted to the stuff. I still crave it every now and then, but after the initial headaches went and the irritability (lack of caffeine - I don't drink coffee) I have found that my skin has improved significantly, the whites of my eyes are clearer and I generally sleep better and have more energy. Not to mention I have saved a bit of money! So I am on a roll with this one and determined not to slip back in to that bad habit. I now drink a lot more water plus juices and it's working out :)

- Wearing the right size bra! I know, this is a bit of an odd one but since I got a fitting in Selfridges a couple of weeks ago and found I was wearing a C cup when it should have been an E, my new bras have transformed the way I look, stand and feel! It's dangerous too to wear the wrong size so I hear, so ladies if you aren't sure get them measured!

- Florals! I must say, after last year's neon madness in the shops, this year I actually love the current trend of girly florals.

- Drugstore skincare! Having less money over the past few months has forced me to abandon my usual purchases of skincare (which would usually be Mario Badescu, Dermalogica and other pricier brands) and try out some new ones. I've found that I adore Superdrug's Natural High Range. Not only is it dirt cheap but it contains fantastic ingredients and it works well with my skin. In particular I love love love their Brightening Eye Cream, Radiance Balm (like Clarin's Beauty Flash Balm) and the day and night creams. All excellent! I have been a skincare snob for years, and whilst I may go back should I start having a bit extra cash, at the moment I am satisfied with these new finds.

WHAT'S OUT

- Winter Coats. At last!

- Sitting in an office. Oh my god I hate working in an office sometimes! It bores the crap out of me. I have worked in a few different ones, and some are better than others. My current place of work is Boring (capital B). The phone hardly rings, no visitors, and generally the feeling is of being the last human being left on earth. That is, until I go outside at 5pm and realise there are still 100s of people around! I work smack bang in the centre of town, but whilst I am in my office I may as well be on the moon.

- Eyebrow waxing! This has now been replaced by threading as my brow hair removal method of choice. A cleaner line and less skin tugging makes it a winner in my book!

- Not being able to find the right foundation for daytime. I never have any luck with tinted moisturisers (on me they just disappear instantly) and my current foundations are too thick for daytime. Any recs??

Let me know your Ins and Outs at the moment - link me to your blog if you have one as I love discovering new sites!

I ♥ Your Blog Award

2010-04-13T13:46:00.004+01:00

Thank you to the lovely Fintia from Falling for Makeup for awarding me with an I Love Your Blog Award!

The rules on this award are:
1. Thank the person who nominated me
2. Copy the award and place it on my blog
3. Link to the person who nominated me
4. Nominate 15 bloggers
5. Post links to the 15 bloggers I nominate

I now need to nominate 15 bloggers I admire and link to their blogs, and so I choose:

Emmakins

Sprinkle of Glitter

A Girl's Best Friend

Beauty by Clara

Brightshimmer8

I Dream of Mac

Little Miss Sammie

Melanie's Blog

Naive Nails

Plane Beauty

The Yummy Mummy's Beauty Blog

Treasure Trove of Makeup

Voyageur

Elle

Lipgloss86

Do take a look at these great blogs!

I actually won something!

2010-03-22T11:59:00.002Z

I've never won a competition in my life, so when I sent a text to my local radio station the other morning while waiting for the bus to work, I really wasn't expecting to win the Lush goodies they were giving away. I was completely shocked when they rang me back to say I had won! All I had to do was send a text saying 'Lush me up'. This is what I won:

You're A Star gift box

It contains:
Aqua Mirabilis massage bar
Helping Hands hand cream
Dream Cream body lotion
Floating Island bath melt
Ceridwen's Cauldron bath melt
Ma Bar bubble bar
Honey I Washed the Kids soap

I have tried/used almost everything already, and my favourite item has to be the Dream Cream. Seriously, this is the most gorgeous body lotion! Once you get used to the smell that is. Personally I don't like it but it the product itself is so good that I am able to overlook that! The Aqua Mirabilis was also nice but doesn't last long (and I prefer Buffy for the moisturiser it leaves behind on the skin).

I am still so happy to have won! Turns out these competitions are worth entering after all :)

Have you ever won anything?

New Pretties - Accessorize Haul

2010-02-12T10:55:00.003Z

Instead of buying anything from Lush yesterday (even though I wanted to, in fact I wanted just about everything in there) I decided to have a look for some new jewellery instead. Spring is fast approaching and I wanted something fresh and pretty. I went into Accessorize and wow! Prettiness everywhere :)

I got these rings which come in a set:

Fitted together on the finger they look like this:

(woah, big hand picture....)

I also got some earrings which I LOVE:

Here's to Springtime and better weather! Anyone else loving the floral-themed clothing and accessories around at the moment?

NOTD - Barry M Pink Flamingo

2010-02-11T11:24:00.001Z

Super bright nails for a dull February day! Every time I take off my gloves I smile :)

Some great blog giveaways....

2010-02-10T15:37:00.006Z

Click the links for a chance to enter these awesome giveaways by these lovely ladies...

I Heart Cosmetics

Beautylicious Love

This Is Caz

You've got to be in it to win it :)

Wants and Needs #2

2010-02-02T11:17:00.014Z

I knew my resolution to stop spending too much money wouldn't last long. I already have a long list of products I've got my eye on!

Peter Thomas Roth Blemish Buffing Beads. I already have the original blue and it's a great daily scrub. This one intrigues me because it has both salicylic and glycolic acids in it to help prevent breakouts and clogged pores.

Nails Inc Hanover Street. What a beautiful bright colour to liven things up in this dull weather!

Bare Escentuals Skin Rev-er Upper. Still on the salicylic and glycolic acid kick, this can be used to smooth the skin and prime for makeup application.

Sabrina Dehoff Double Smily Face Mini Pendant Necklace. I just thought it was cute and cheery :)

D & G Astrakan Watch. Currently on sale on asos.com. Someone dare me to buy it and I will!

Steamcream Tina. What the heck is this?! I came across it online and now I want it. It says it's a multipurpose cream with steam for maximum absorption. Interesting right?

Fake Bake Platinum Anti Ageing Face Tanner. I have so much trouble with fake tan on the face, sitting in the pores. This has got to be worth trying.

Topshop Daisy Print Tunic.

What are you lusting after this Spring?

InStyle Best Beauty Buys 2010

2010-01-31T17:09:00.005Z

It's here again - 100 Best Beauty Buys from InStyle magazine. The brochure comes free with the March 2010 mag, and is a beautiful glossy little thing full of photos of products to lust after, plus 100 tips (some of which I actually thought were very useful - I'll list those below).

It's an indulgent little read providing plenty of inspiration for new hauls :)

It has the usual suspects in it that crop up every year (NARS Orgasm Blush, YSL Touche Eclat, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers and Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser to name just a few - all of which are worthy of the praise).

Out of the 100 products shown, I counted that I had tried a rather disappointing 30 of them in the many years that I have been beauty-obsessed. In an attempt to bump this number up very slightly I bought the product they call the 'Best Inexpensive Body Moisturiser' - Nivea's Rich Nourishing Body Moisturiser.

As you can see from the text in the photo, apparently this product sinks in quickly. I hate sticky lotions that sit round on the skin for hours,, and this is exactly what this product did to me. I applied it on my legs and was unimpressed when it didn't sink in. However, it is an extremely rich lotion and it has almond oil in it, so that didn't entirely surprise me. It is a nice product nevertheless and very moisturising for dry skin, but I find it rather 'blah' in terms of smell and packaging and probably won't repurchase.

I was also surprised by the number of Sisley products that have made this top 100. During a quick flick through I counted 7 in all. One of these - the 'Best Hydrating Mask' - is the Express Flower Gel. It costs 67.50 GBP, but I had some samples once and I have to say I was left wondering what all the fuss was about. It seemed to do nothing for my skin, and if I was going to pick my favourite hydrating mask, it would be Dermalogica's Multivitamin Power Recovery as the hands-down winner.

Here are some of the tips they give that I personally liked:

- Want to have super-shiny hair in a flash? Simply put some vodka in a spray bottle and spritz on to damp hair before blow-drying. (Crazy, yes?! Who would have thought to spray vodka in your hair??)

- Apply shine spray to a blusher brush before using on your hair - this helps to stroke away flyaways and prevents product overload.

- If you're in a party-prep panic, use hair serum instead of body oil - it will give your legs an amazing sheen.

- To create a dewy, flawless finish, apply your foundation with a brush, then use a wet sponge to blend it into your skin.

- Taking a daily dose of flaxseed oil helps to regulate your hormones, balance your skin's natural oils, hydrate your skin and prevent breakouts.

- If you apply a night cream right before going to bed, it'll end up on your pillow. Allow time for products to sink in.

And what I thought was a bit of an odd one:

- Apply a face mask before having a sauna - the heat will open pores, allowing the mask to penetrate deeper, leaving your skin feeling very soft.

Now, I can clearly see the benefits of this and it makes sense. However I don't know many people (or anyone, actually) with a sauna in their own house, and I for one won't be walking in to the sauna at my gym with a Queen Helene bright green Mint Julep Mask on my face. Maybe a clear one....hmmm maybe I will try that tomorrow night after I go for my swim :)

Has anyone else got any thoughts on the 100 Best Beauty Products this year?

New discovery - L'Oreal Perfect Clean Foaming Cream Wash - with a Scrublet?!

2010-01-31T16:33:00.007Z

I was wandering around Superdrug on Friday and came across this:

A new cleanser is probably the last thing I need at the moment, but it looked so odd that I was intrigued and decided to pop it in my basket.

Basically it has a thing called a 'scrublet' attached, that sits in a hole in the middle of the bottle. The scrublet pops out and you hold it between your fingers:

It's covered in lots of tiny, super soft bristles. You pour some cleanser on it and massage your face with it. I tried it out yesterday and loved it. The scrublet is so soft and yet so invigorating. My skin tingled but in a nice way, and there was some gentle exfoliation going on. It was the same sensation you get from body brushing - a rush of circulation - yet gentle enough for the face. Love it!

As for the cleanser itself, I didn't think it was too special, but the scrublet could be used with any cleanser. It has a sucker on the back so it sticks to the shower wall. There was also a Gel Wash and a Scrub in the range, each with these little facial brushes.

I recommend them, if only for the sensation you get when you massage your face. It's really invigorating in the morning. Try it out (they are even on sale at the moment in Superdrug for you UK girls :)

TAG: Beautiful Blogger Award - 7 Random Facts About Me

2010-01-27T12:14:00.008Z

I was tagged a little while back by Kelly from Plane Beauty (Thanks Kelly - check out her blog!) to post 7 Random Facts about me. Here goes!

1. Still buzzing from my New Year's resolution to actually get round to doing some exercise this year for the first time in literally years, I have just entered the ballot to do the Great North Run in September this year. Those who know me are aware that I do not even run for the bus! Running is a bit of a phobia of mine, but I realise to get in shape it is one of the best things to do. The Great North Run is a (shudder) Half Marathon - over 13 miles! I am really excited and just hope and pray I will get a place. It will terrify me into action. I also just joined a gym and am feeling really motivated at the moment (and therefore determined not to spend all my time at the gym in the jacuzzi or the sauna). Wish me luck with the ballot :)

2. I can't cook, I just haven't got the natural talent for putting ingredients together. However I am pretty good at baking! I have two brothers and as wedding presents for each of them, I made their wedding cakes. For my older brother and his wife I made them tiers of cupcakes complete with pink sugar roses that I made by hand (and I learnt how to do it from watching You Tube videos :). Then last year I took a big risk and made a huge 4 tier white chocolate wedding cake for my younger brother and his wife, covered in white choc cigarillos. It turned out so good despite having never attempted anything like this in my life before. Here it is:

I was so proud of it :) and it tasted good too which is always important!

3. I have quite a chequered academic past. I actually flunked out of two universities (can't believe I have just admitted that on the internet, but I am about to redeem myself so keep reading!). I believe it was because I just wasn't at all interested in the courses I was taking and when I am not interested...I make no effort whatsoever. I was just doing the courses I thought I should take to earn some money in the future. Anyhow, after failing at the second one, I realised I should do something I actually liked, so in desperation I applied last minute to do a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology, got a place, and within 4 weeks I was putting my belongings in my car and driving alone to a city I had never been to before to live there for 3 years (that city was Liverpool....fond memories :). I ended up loving it, turned into a complete swot, got a First Class degree, and then won a scholarship to do a Masters at Oxford University! Talk about a complete 360. So I finished my Masters in 2005. I am still working out what possible use a Masters in Greek and Roman History is but I am staying positive, and don't regret it at all because I love the subject.

4. This is a weird one, because despite my obsession with buying things especially beauty-related stuff, I do not actually like shopping. I prefer to buy things online. I just don't like crowds, fluorescent lighting, carrying loads of bags....what a strange female I am!

5. I am obsessed with US TV! I love love love American TV programmes and watch them daily like a guilty pleasure. I love Desperate Housewives, Lost, American Idol, Biggest Loser, America's Next Top Model, 90210, Keeping up with the Kardashians, 30 Rock, Real Housewives, America's Got Talent, Bridezillas, Hogan Knows Best, to name just a few. Can't explain it - just love the US. Which leads me to the next one...

6. I have always wanted to live abroad, and if I could choose to go somewhere tomorrow it would be to the States. I can't even tell you why, just feels like everything is bigger and better over there! Maybe I have that 'grass is greener' syndrome. The UK is my home but there are just some things I don't like, such as the weather. Grey skies get me down constantly. I think I should move somewhere sunny so I am always happy! I have been looking into teaching abroad too so maybe I will make a move to sunnier climes one day soon...

7. I am a strict vegetarian. This is hardly a thrilling fact about me since so many people are, but it's a very important part of my life. I once went Vegan for a few months, which was very hard to keep up, but for those months I truly felt amazing. My skin was fantastic, I had so much energy. I am thinking of doing it again even if only for a while. I also don't wear leather.

Thanks for reading!

I tag:

Beauty-bow

It's 4am and I am applying fake tan...

Lipstick Rules

Get Gawjus!

Melanie's Blog

What I'm Using Right Now - January 2010

2010-01-22T16:27:00.005Z

Shampoo: still using the Sexy Hair Concepts Soy Milk Shampoo - it's a big bottle!

Conditioner: Wella SP Repair Mask

Styling product: Kerastase Reflection Chroma Riche (see my review here)

Shower gel: Nivea Creme (bought for £1! I don't like the smell though so will be switching soon)

Body Moisturiser: Palmer's Cocoa Butter

Deoderant: Sure Stick

Cleanser: Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser

Toner: Boots No7 Softening Toner

Eye Makeup Remover: Baby Oil

Exfoliator: aspirin mask

Primer: Mac's Prep and Prime

Foundation: L'Oreal Infallible (LOVE! Review to come...)

Concealer: Bobby Brown Creamy Concealer in Warm Ivory

Blusher: Benefit Coralista or Mac Well Dressed on pink days :)

Bronzer: NYC Smooth Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation in Natural Deep - best thing ever for bronzer - will also review soon!

Highlighter: Mac Perfect Topping MSF

Eye primer: UDPP

Eyeshadows: Stila Kitten mainly as a wash for work days

Eyeliner: Barry M Kohl in Black

Mascara: Still Max Factor False Lash Effect - sometimes Maybelline Colossal Lash for nights out

Lipstick: none

Lipgloss: Nars Orgasm

Nail Colour: OPI The Thrill of Brazil - hot red! ♥

It's been a while!

2010-01-20T16:38:00.002Z

Hi! Sorry I have been so slow with the posts - been sooo busy this January with work etc. But I have some great posts lined up with reviews so check back soon! I will be updating this blog as soon as possible....

Thanks for reading! ♥

FOTD & OOTD: Coco Pigment, Coralista & Karen Millen

2009-12-29T12:34:00.012Z

Hi! Hope you had a great xmas? I went to a wedding on Sunday which was fantastic. This is my makeup, which I wasn't too happy with but thought I would take pics even so. I got my highly-anticipated Benefit Coralista for Christmas, and it's even better than I thought!

Face:
DiorSkin Forever Extreme Wear Flawless Makeup foundation (my skin is anything but flawless at the moment as you can see and it didn't really help)
Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer under the eyes
Benefit Coralista
MSF Natural in Light

Eyes:
UDPP
MAC Coco pigment used wet
Woodwinked
Ricepaper
Blanc Type
Smolder e/l
Maybelline Colossal Lash mascara
Mac Brun on brows

Lips:
Gosh lipliner in Chocolate Kiss
Benefit lipgloss in Freshly Squeezed (later changed to I'm With the Band)

Did I mention how much I love Coralista??!! ♥

Normally I'd wear falsies but I've completely run out of them.

This is when I changed the lipgloss to I'm With The Band (much better :)

I dyed my hair as well, using L'Oreal Casting in Jamaica - it's very dark but I like it anyway.

This is the best shot of my outfit I could get. It's from Karen Millen and is a deep electric blue:

The dress is sadly now covered in beer and wine since the wedding was such fun, everyone was dancing crazily and there were the inevitable spills! A chemical clean is on the cards this week.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-22T11:23:00.002Z

That's it - the presents are wrapped, the food is bought and I am finishing work today for almost two weeks!! Yay!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and I look forward to showing you my gifts from the holidays when I am back xx

Best wishes everyone!!

Ugh

2009-12-17T10:05:00.002Z

Will this week never end? I finish work next Tuesday for almost two weeks, but this week has been dragging on for what feels like a month. The holiday is dangling like a carrot in front of me, and every morning it gets harder and harder to get out of bed. Know what I mean?!

Review: Dove Intensive Body Lotion for Extra Dry Skin

2009-12-16T15:40:00.003Z

Dove asks us: can you imagine the pairing of two of the most powerful moisturisers - skin nourishing oil and rich hydrating cream?

Well?! Can you??? Lol.

A while back, I mentioned how I like to order free beauty samples (click here for that post). I ordered a free sample of this and within a couple of weeks I received the generous 10ml sample through the post, and decided to try it out this morning.

10ml doesn't sound a lot but believe me it looked like loads of product, and unless you like to slather yourself in a really thick layer of lotion, it is enough for a whole body application.

It says it is for extra dry skin which I don't really have, just the normal dryness for this time of year, so I thought it might be a bit too thick for me. I hate the feeling of lotions that just sit on top of the skin. However, this had almost completely absorbed within about 10 minutes.

It smells in offensive and quite pleasant, and was easy to spread. You can almost feel the oil in it which gives it some spreadability. A few hours later and my legs feel very soft and smooth. My arms however feel like they are coated in plastic, which is a bit uncomfortable. I think it may be slightly too rich for me after all. Maybe it would be better applied before bed, and something a bit lighter used during the day.

For intensive moisturising I would still stick to my Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter which sinks in and smells amazing at the same time.

UKers can still get a sample of this from the Dove website here. It's cheap as chips at £3.71 in Superdrug but why not try it first for free!

Review: Tarte FRXtion Natural Sugar Exfoliator and Lip Balm Duo

2009-12-16T14:36:00.006Z

I seem to be drawn to all things made by Tarte. Maybe it's the fact that their products are so hard to get in the UK, or then again maybe it's just the name :)

This product is FRXtion, which features a side with exfoliating sugar crystals (the orange side) and a vitamin E (amongst other beneficial ingredients) lip balm side. Just look at the packaging, it is gorgeous! The lip even has a little flip out mirror which is so handy.

My first impression was that this was incredible. I had dry flakey lips and it seemed to be just what I was looking for. I sloughed off the dead skin (nice) with the scuffing side and then applied the lip balm. My lips felt smooth. However, the exfoliation does not seem to be any greater than using a toothbrush or a flannel. The smoothness seems to come from the fact that the lip balm is really nice, thick and creamy, and it gives the illusion of smooth lips by covering up the flakey skin.

The other problem is that it is such a delicate product that any hardcore scrubbing is out of the question. It is fairly soft and you will end up warping it. This is what mine looks like now:

It bends easily and there's a risk of it snapping off completely. Not to mention one side will inevitably wear down quicker than the other so you'll end up with something unusable in the end.

Those irritations aside, I am still quite fond of this product, if only for the lip balm, the packaging, and the unbelievably gorgeous vanilla/burnt caramel smell which is addictive.

It's a novelty product really that won't last you very long, but I got mine for fairly cheap on eBay (less than £10 including shipping from the US). I doubt I will repurchase once this has gone but glad I got to try it. I think I will stick to the vaseline and toothbrush method though! Unless of course something else catches my eye :)

One Word Answers

2009-12-16T11:53:00.003Z

I saw this on Moodeve's Beauty Workout and thought it would be fun! Here are my answers, in only one word (if possible):

Your hair: long
Your mother: lovely
Your father: strong
Favorite food: Curry
Dream last night: none
Favorite drink: Coke
What room are you in: office
Hobby: makeup
Fear: rejection
Where were you last night: bed!
Something that you aren't: confident
Muffins: mmmmm
Wish list item: flawless skin
Where did you grow up: Oxford (UK)
What are you wearing: work stuff
Your pets: cats
Friends: fantastic
Something you're not wearing: socks
Favorite store: Primark!
Favorite color: black
Last time you laughed: yesterday
Your best friend: so many
Best place you go to over and over: Cafe Nero
Person who emails you regularly: Lisa
Favourite place to eat: Cafe Spice
Where's your cell phone: on the desk

I tag all of you!

Wants and Needs #1

2009-12-14T14:22:00.022Z

There are so many things I'm lusting after at the moment, it surprises even me :) As soon as I saw a swatch of Rescue Beauty Lounge's Grunge nail polish, I knew it had to be mine. I want it so badly. Actually, I would settle for any colour from RBL since I don't own any (sob). I must remedy this situation as soon as I get paid.

Too Faced French and Fabulous palette. OK, so I already own Pink Leopard and Sun Bunny bronzers, but that's not the point. I don't have any eyeshadows and that's justification in itself.

If I'm going to get French and Fabulous, I may as well get the Natural Eye Kit at the same time :)

A serum to put on my hair at night. Surely this is an essential, right?! NARS Sheer Glow Foundation. There have been too many reviews on this for me not to want it.

REN Omega 3 Nutrifying Facial Serum. I had one of these years ago and loved it. Great extra skin product for the winter months.
Dermalogica Intensive Moisture Balance. I've wanted this for so long and for some reason have never bought it, which is so unlike me. Benefit Celebutante Kit. Mini Benetint, High Beam, Dallas, plus lipsticks, glosses and eyeshadows, all in a cute box. Need I say more?

Coralista. Why don't I have this yet? What exactly is wrong with me? Babyliss Heated Rollers. I'm done with those bloody velcro things that pull out my hair and don't work anyway.

MUFE Aqua Eyes Set. Anybody use these? If so what are they like? I'm torn between trying these and the 24/7 pencils from Urban Decay.

Comes to around £270 by my calculations....hmmmm, it's either this lot or a new laptop! I hate having to make these sorts of sacrifices :) Must. Get. Better. Paid. Job.

Win a MAC Frisky Business Lipglass Set

2009-12-11T14:22:00.003Z

Head on over to GirlAboutTown for a chance to win this incredible prize!

Specktra's Secret Santa 2009!

2009-12-11T13:44:00.003Z

This year I am taking part in Specktra's Secret Santa since I missed out last year. I'm sending out my gifts today to my Elf, and I hope she likes them! Yesterday I received this awesome parcel in the post from my secret santa:

I am so excited as I have never owned or even tried any NYX products. I can't wait to get using them. This is what I got:

Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils in Milk and Black Bean
Jumbo Lip Pencil in Burgundy
Eyeshadow singles in Flamingo and Rust
Eyeshadow trios in Aloha/Mink Brown/Deep Bronze and White/Gray/Black
Lipstick in Eros

Plus OPI's I'm Not Really A Waitress (♥) and Estee Lauder Beautiful sample, plus a really cute black makeup bag.

Thank you to my secret santa, whoever you are! (I will find out soon I think once everyone receives their gifts).

Rave: Smashbox Brush Cleaner

2009-12-10T11:54:00.008Z

I'm sometimes a bit slack at cleaning my makeup brushes, because I have quite a few and tend to use every single one before I embark on a mass cleaning session (I use baby shampoo to wash mine). But for those times when say I really want to use my 187 to apply foundation, but it's already been used with a shimmery MSF and I don't have time to wash it and leave it to dry (tip: never use a hairdryer on your 187 to dry it in a hurry, even if you've done it before and nothing went wrong, as I had but then tragically destroyed one of mine in the Summer - what an idiot), I turn to Smashbox's Brush Cleaner. It takes literally about a minute to clean a brush with this so that it's ready to use straight away. Here's my 187 brush having been used to apply cream blusher:

I spritz the tissue a few times with the Brush Cleaner, then rub the brush in to it. The product starts to come off straight away, and I turn the tissue over so to use the product that's soaked through to the other side.

Just keep rubbing for 30 seconds to a minute...et voila!

Nice and clean, slightly fluffier looking, but dry already from rubbing it on the tissue.

I've had my bottle for about a year and am only halfway through it, as it takes so little product per brush. Perfect for when you're in a hurry!

Have you used this product, and do you have any other recommendations for cleaning brushes quickly?

Love of Makeup's First Giveaway!

2009-12-10T11:47:00.003Z

To be in with a chance of winning the incredible prizes above, please click here and go to Love of Makeup's blog ♥