ellie's makeup bag: a british makeup and beauty blog

Back on the weight loss wagon

2012-03-04T16:37:00.000Z

I haven't written about this subject for quite a while. Around this time last year, I started Slimming World and lost 2 1/2 stone in about 5 months. I subsequently stopped doing it properly, and put around a stone back on (although I know at least half of this was from Christmas alone...)

I rejoined in January, and have lost 8 1/2 pounds again so far. It feels like really slow going this time. It took me 6 weeks to get to my 1/2 stone award - which I reached in 2 weeks last year. I feel like I've just lost my dieting mojo a bit, and it's a little bit disheartening to see the scales going down just half a pound some weeks, when I feel like I've been making a real effort. It doesn't help that the girl I usually talk to at the class I go to, who joined at the same time as me, has nearly lost two stone in this time. I have 6 pounds to go before I'm back down to the lowest weight I was last year, and will then be able to start trying to lose some 'new' weight.

I find it hard to lose weight and keep it off, mainly because I like food, am greedy and dislike pretty much all forms of exercise. A winning combination, I'm sure you'll agree. I thought I would start posting about my attempts at weight loss again since writing about it, putting it out there in public, makes me feel more accountable and like I must stick with this. I'm also making a real effort to try new recipes each week to try and keep myself interested, and I need to start forcing myself to do more exercise again, as that made a real difference last year.

So expect a few more diet posts coming up from me. If you're just here for the makeup, don't worry - there's still going to be plenty of that too.

Anyone else trying to lose weight at the moment?

Need another social network? Follow me on Hello Cotton!

2012-03-04T10:00:00.000Z

Find missy_ellie_uk onHellocotton

You may have noticed a new little blog button on the right hand side of my blog, over there -------> underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Since Google have decided to remove Google Friend Connect from non-blogger hosted blogs, I can no longer use it to follow some of my favourites. I've therefore started using Hello Cotton to sign up to follow people. I like to follow using a means that will allow me to read posts from all the blogs which I follow in one place, rather than signing up to individual email subscriptions or feeds, and this site allows you to do just that.

My page is here: Hello Cotton - why not come and join me? If you're already on there and I'm not following you, let me know in the comments!

Six months after everyone else: Chanel Émerveillé

2012-03-03T10:00:00.000Z

I was determined not to buy this. I have read I don't know how many rave reviews of Chanel Illusion d'Ombre eyeshadow in the shade Émerveillé, but I was happy with my Illusion D'Ombre Illusoire, and didn't think I needed another. Most of the pictures I'd seen had it as a straight-up beigey-champagney-gold: nice but not a knockout.

However I watched this Pixiwoo tutorial and literally wanted to recreate that entire look, so ended up giving in to temptation and just buying it.

Anyway, to cut a long story short: I went back to the Chanel counter, I bought it, j'adore. I had it in my head that it would be too warm and peachy for me, but it isn't at all. It is quite gold, and quite warm, but it definitely pulls slightly more pinky on me than a lot of the images I've seen.

I'm not usually much of a 'one lid colour' fan but have done just that every day this week for work - a quick swipe of this on each eyelid with my fingers, and done. (When doing my makeup at 4:30am last Wednesday for a day in London, this was a definite advantage...)

And here's my dodgy attempt at recreating the look from the tutorial. Clearly looks nothing like it, but I quite like the look anyway.

FACE - Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation (2N1 Desert Beige); MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (Medium); Chanel Joues Contraste Powder Blush (Rose Ecrin); Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

EYES - Chanel Illusion d'Ombre (Émerveillé) Urban Decay eyeshadow (Tease, Bootycall, Blackout); Maybelline Gel Liner (Black); Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil (Zero); Red Cherry Lashes (600); Eyelure Girls Aloud Lashes (Kimberley); Clinique High Impact Mascara (Black)

LIPS - Mac Lipstick (Creme Cup)

Call in the Porefessionals

2012-03-02T20:46:00.002Z

I really hope I'm not speaking too soon when I say this, but I think I've finally found a primer that doesn't make my skin break out (more than usual, I mean) and it's Benefit Porefessional. After the disappointment of Philosophy The Present, I needed something that would work well under liquid foundations, since this is what I wear 90% of the time.

Porefessional feels quite strange on my skin, almost 'slippery'. I wouldn't say it makes my pores appear significantly different from the way they look with foundation on and no primer, but what it does do is make my foundation apply more easily and stay put for longer, and just generally behave better. This is a good thing, since I generally apply some time around 7am and I really want it to last all day.

I just use a small amount around my nose and on my chin, as these are the areas which get oily and where my foundation slides during the day. I've found the best way to apply it is to sort of 'pat' it on to my face, because if I rub it in too much it feels like it rolls up a little, and doesn't give such a smooth finish.

Benefit claim you can use this over makeup for touch-ups during the day...for me, this didn't work at all, it just ruined the look of the makeup that was already on.

£23.50 isn't cheap, but for a primer that works, it's worth it for me. It isn't going to change your life, but it might make your foundation last a bit longer and look a bit better, and that's always good in my book!

Do you use a primer? What's your favourite?

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NARS Spring 2012 - Gaiety Blush

2012-03-01T08:30:00.002Z

Ahhh....is there any sweeter sight than that little black box?

Regular readers know how I love my NARS blushers, so Gaiety, the bright candy pink blusher from the Spring 2012 collection was almost an inevitability.

While it is undeniably bright, it's also actually quite sheer. It's definitely buildable, a lot more so than most NARS blushers which tend to be very pigmented. It has a very fine, slight shimmer. Not enough to be able to see particles of glitter, but enough to give it a little lift so it's not just a straight matte.

For these photos I've really layered it on to get the colour to show up well, but in real life you could apply a really small amount and it would look light, fresh and completely natural.

Comparison-wise, it is brighter and lighter than NARS Mata Hari, and like a slightly more neon and sheerer NARS Angelika (without the glitter). The closest colour match I've found in my (extensive) pink blusher collection is the pink side of the MAC Azalea Blossom Ombre blush.

LEFT: NARS Gaiety; RIGHT: MAC Azalea Blossom

Any other NARS blusher fans out there? Will you be looking at this one?

Visit the NARS website to see the rest of the collection.

Good enough to eat: Burts Bees Mango and Orange body range

2012-02-28T08:30:00.000Z

The first body butter earmarked for completion in my 2012 challenge was the Burts Bees Mango and Orange one. And it's finished, with 2 days to spare....hooray! Except it's not hooray, because I really liked it, and I want to buy another one, but can't until I've used up all the others which are currently housed in my bathroom.

This body butter contains Vitamin E, Mango Butter and Sweet Orange Oil, and it smells amazing. It is a thick, creamy butter which I found best to apply at night as it does take quite a while to be absorbed into your skin. It is worth the effort though, as you'll wake up with beautifully soft skin, and it's one of those products where the scent really stays with you too.

At £12.99 for a 185g tub, this is at the pricier end of what I'd be prepared to pay for a body butter, but it's lasted me a long time because it is so rich.

I also tried out the Mango and Orange soap - which was nice enough, but I can never make myself get too excited about soap. Even if it does smell good and have chunks of what seem to be candied mango in it. (And, let's face it, a very cute picture of a bee on it.) It wasn't drying, like usual soap, which I assume is down to the ingredients which include Sweet Orange Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter.

£4.99 for a 140g bar.

More exciting was the Mango and Orange Sugar Scrub. This was literally divine. I love sugar scrubs, and this smelled like sweet marmalade. The scrub is 'scrubby' enough to give you a good exfoliation, but isn't harsh and leaves your skin feeling soft afterwards. Excellent for elbows, knees, shins and all the dry bits.

£12.99 for a big 225g tub, which will keep you going for a good few months.

Visit the Burt's Bees website for more detail, stockists or to buy online.

* PR sample provided for review

Lipstick of the Week no. 14 - MAC Please Me

2012-02-26T22:30:00.000Z

MAC Please Me lipstick is a recent acquisition, and I've been wearing it a lot to work. It's a fairly natural yet bright pink - really creamy and opaque looking in just one swipe, and lasts really well.

I know the MAC Matte finish can be unpopular as they can be seriously drying, but it's worth it. When it comes to brighter lipsticks, it's matte all the way for me.

What's your favourite matte lipstick? Do you prefer a matte or a glossy finish?

FashionistA Custom Blush Palette

2012-02-26T08:30:00.000Z

I love a palette. Using one makes me feel like a makeup artist rather than a bumbling amateur, and they keep everything nice and neat and tidy. I also love blusher. So happily, this review combines two of my favourite things! As a result, it's very picture heavy.

New to Superdrug in the past few months, the stand out feature of the FashionistA range to me is its Custom Palette system. It's great to see some budget alternatives to MAC eyeshadow and blush palettes starting to come on to the market and with 49 eyeshadow and 12 blush shades available, you really can mix and match to create your own perfect palette.

The FashionistA Custom Palette itself feels sturdy, has a reassuringly tight 'click' to close, and a good sized mirror inside. It's really easy to pop the different pans in, the design is simple and sleek, and I actually think it looks a lot more expensive than it is. It is available in either red or black. A clever feature is the fact that there are holes in the bottom of the palette so you can see through to the shade names for the pans you have put in there.

The blushers themselves are great quality for the price. I was sent four of the pinkier shades to try (spot on for me, we know how I like a pink blusher).

(L to R) Rose Shine, Rose Thrill, Blushing, Crimson

Rose Shine (Shade 1)

Rose Shine is a shimmery pale pink, the same kind of shade as MAC Well Dressed, but more shimmery and a bit brighter on the cheeks. It's subtle but you could definitely layer it up for more of a statement pink cheek if you wanted to.

Rose Thrill (Shade 3)

Rose Thrill is a very definite bright, Barbie pink with cool undertones. In the pan it looks a bit like Illamasqua Unrequited, but on the skin it reminds me more of NARS Mata Hari. This matte blush is VERY pigmented. You have to be careful not to overdo it on pale skin, but I love this kind of bright blusher so felt very at home with it. My favourite of the four.

Blushing (Shade 9)

Blushing is a bright, watermelon pink, corally sort of colour. It applied darker than I expected it to, but actually looks really natural when you use just the tiniest amount and blend it out really well. A proper apple-cheeks colour.

Crimson (Shade 8)

Crimson is a reddish pink shot through with a gold shimmer. The shimmer is noticeable, but it's not so chunky it's obnoxious. This is not really my usual kind of shade, but I think it would look fantastic on darker skin tones.

Overall, I'm very impressed with these little blushers. The pigmentation is great for a brand of this price point, and they last well so don't really need reapplication during the day.

Priced at £5 for the palette and £4 for the blushers, I think these are a fantastic bargain! Available from Superdrug.

* PR sample provided for review

Love and Hate: Philosophy the Present Clear Makeup Primer

2012-02-24T08:30:00.000Z

Philosophy The Present Clear Makeup is described as a 'clear' makeup which you can use alone on your face instead of foundation, if you have the sort of skin which just needs a little evening out (how I would love to be one of those people...) However, it's also marketed as a primer which can be used under foundation.

When used with mineral foundation like BareMinerals, this stuff is brilliant. It makes my pores look less noticeable and makes the foundation itself last longer and apply more evenly.

So far, so good. But there's a problem. I just can't make it work with any of my liquid foundations. No matter how long I leave it to set before applying foundation, it just makes it completly unblendable, dry looking, streaky and crap. Not exactly what you want from a primer. I can't imagine that I'm doing anything particularly wrong (apply a bit to face, leave to set - it's not rocket science) so it must be the product itself. Even if I try using it on my arm or hand then adding foundation over the top, I still get the same problem.

Priced at £22, this is a bit of an expensive extravagance for me, since I don't use mineral foundation often enough to make it worthwhile. Get a sample first if you can! I wanted to love this, but I can't.

Has anyone tried this and made it work? Am I doing something wrong?

Review: Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment

2012-02-22T08:30:00.000Z

After the successful launch of her first shampoo and conditioner in 2010, Liz Earle has now added an intensive hair treatment to the range. The botanical shine treatment is designed for coarse and unruly hair. My hair isn't coarse, but the ends are very dry as it's so long, and it is definitely a bit unruly at times.

The Botanical Shine Treatment contains red algae to help enhance the hair's natural barrier, cotton extract to improve smoothness and sumac wax to smooth and tame, plus apple and orange extracts to boost shine.

You have to leave this on for at least 10 minutes, so it's best for using in the bath. I usually leave it on for the full half hour, to get the maximum effect!

It smells gorgeous, like the Liz Earle shampoo and standard conditioner, and the scent does feel like it lingers a little in your hair. Obviously if you like the scent that is a good thing, if you're not so keen, you may feel otherwise.

The first time I used the treatment, I ended up using far too much as I wasn't getting that 'slippery' feeling you usually do with a conditioner. As a result I ended up with really heavy hair that felt lank and overloaded. I've tried this again a few times using a lot less product, and got much better results.

It leaves my hair feeling soft and looking quite shiny. I do find it a bit too heavy for my roots, so I just use a normal conditioner and then follow it up with this treatment on the mid-lengths and ends of my hair.

This is obviously much more expensive than a standard conditioner, but if used as a weekly treat will last quite a long time.

Priced at £14.00 for 150ml. Visit Liz Earle for more information.

*PR sample provided for review

BareMinerals Skincare: Pure Transformation Night Treatment

2012-02-20T18:00:00.000Z

Recently, the world's number one mineral makeup brand, BareMinerals launched their first skincare line. At the beginning of September last year I was invited along to Fenwicks in Newcastle for an introduction to the skincare line. It's taken me a very long time to write about this product, so you can be assured it's had a good trial run!

The range includes a number of moisturisers and cleaners and treatments, all of which contain BareMinerals' patented ActiveSoil complex. Yes, Active Soil. It sounds strange, and a bit gimmicky, but it makes sense when you think about it. Soil is natural and organic, and contains minerals for plants to grow. The company found the most mineral-rich soil they could (this is not just soil, this is BareMinerals soil), which is then distilled down to a liquid so pure by the time the filtration process is complete, that you can drink it. And, at the launch, we did. It was a little odd, not my usual after-work shot, but not unpleasant. The liquid goes through a reduction process to produce a powder, the ActiveSoil complex contained within the new skincare line, which the company claims contains more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries, with minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium as well.

The cleanser and moisturiser that I tried haven't been quite right for my skin type, but there was one stand-out product for me, and that is the Pure Transformation Night Treatment. I was mainly drawn to this initially because it's a product that you apply at night, after cleansing and moisturising your skin, and it provides a light skin coverage to 'diffuse imperfections' - in other words, cover up your spots. I like the idea of something I can apply that will cover up my skin while doing it some good at the same time!

This is a great idea for those occasions when you don't want to be seen completely makeup free - for if you've got a new bloke, guests staying over or you just don't want to scare the postman in the morning (mine must have seen some right sights....)

The product is in the form of a concentrated powder, which comes in a pot with a brush attached within the lid. The brush attached is soft and picks up just the right amount of powder to provide a little light coverage on your face. You can always apply a bit more if there's a particular problem area you want to hide. There are three colour options available, Light, Medium and Tan. If you find the idea of applying a product that provides skin coverage for going to bed, there is a clear version too. I was sure I was going to wake up to a really dirty pillow in the morning the first time I used this, but somehow it doesn't transfer off, so no worries there.

The Transformation treatment is designed to reduce the appearance of pores, increase luminosity and deliver faster cell turnover. I've been using this for about three months now, not every night but a few times a week. I do think it's made a difference to my pores, they appear a lot less noticeable, and although I'm still getting spots, they seem to be healing up a bit more quickly than they used to.

The Pure Transformation Night Treatment costs £45 for a 4.2g pot - which doesn't sound much but has so far lasted me ages. Visit the BareMinerals website for more information and an introduction to the ActiveSoil Complex!

* PR sample

NOTD: OPI Vodka and Caviar

2012-02-19T12:00:00.000Z

I picked up OPI Vodka and Caviar for a bargain £4.50 in the Lena White sale a few weeks back, and I think this is the third time I've used it since then. It feels like a very 'grown up' red, a glossy jelly finish that's very nearly completely opaque in two coats, and has serious lasting power. This was after three days on my nails, and that's nothing short of a miracle since I type all day and have a nasty habit of picking and peeling my nail varnish in meetings (bored, moi?).

This is one of those classic polishes I've always heard about and thought 'ooh I'll buy that', then promptly forgotten about it. Nice to finally have my mitts on it.

Are you a Vodka and Caviar fan? What's your favourite red?

Lipstick of the Week No. 13 - Maybelline Moisture Extreme Pinky Beige

2012-02-18T09:00:00.000Z

My favourite new everyday work lipstick of the moment is definitely this one, Maybelline Moisture Extreme lipstick shade no. 721, Pinky Beige, which I picked up as the extra on a 3 for 2 a couple of weeks back.

It looked in the tube as though it might pull slightly too brown on me, but once it's on the lips, it definitely doesn't.

The Moisture Extreme formula is lovely and creamy feeling, and definitely doesn't dry your lips out. It's not the longest-lasting lipstick out there, and after a couple of cups of coffee at my desk it definitely needs a top-up. As the lip swatch photo shows it gives a shiny, but not glossy, finish. Perfectly understated.

What's your favourite everyday lipstick at the moment?

£5.19 from Boots, Superdrug and other Maybelline stockists.

Illamasqua Precision Ink - Review

2012-02-12T23:29:00.002Z

Illmasqua Precision Ink in Abyss is one of my more recent buys, purchased in Leeds at the Illamasqua store when I was there for Ray's birthday. When it comes to eyeliner, fine, precise and black are the priorities for me. This pen is perfect for me, because the tip allows you to get a really fine line, but it's easy to thicken up for a more dramatic winged look. And it saves the hassle of keeping a separate eyeliner brush clean (what can I say, I am quite lazy).

I've been wearing this almost daily, paired with a neutral eyeshadow, pale pink cheeks and a variety of different lippies. It takes something special to break into my default work makeup bag at the moment, but this has shot straight in there. The lasting power is fantastic. With most gel eyeliners I've experienced a bit of flaking off or fading by the end of the day, but the photo below shows how my slightly dodgy application was looking after a (very) long day at work - still bold and black and none had smudged off. At the same time, it is easily removed with a decent cleanser or eye makeup remover - no scrubbing required.

The only thing I dislike about the Precision Ink is the fact that it is quite 'wet' and therefore I always seem to manage to get it all over my eyelashes. I'm kind of hoping it will dry up a little and stop this.

£17 and worth every penny for me: www.illamasqua.com

There's a similar eyeliner pen by L'Oreal if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, but I've found that the tip is nowhere near as good for getting a fine line.

Have you tried any of Illamasqua's Precision Inks? What is your favourite eyeliner?

P.S. Off to buy a new eye cream...STAT. Ouch.

His and Hers Face Masks by Montagne Jeunesse

2012-02-12T23:29:00.001Z

Here's a leftfield suggestion for a way to celebrate Valentine's Day: treat your other half to a pamper session with Montagne Jeunesse. Light the candles, crack open the bubbly and apply your masques…. You’ll both be left with totally irresistible skin!

I tried out the Passion Peel Off masque which contains a blend of anti-oxidant super fruits, Pomegranate and Passion Flower, plus raspberry, grape and cranberry to leave skin deeply cleansed. I LOVE peel off masks. There is something so satisfying about peeling it off at the end! This one left my face feeling fresh and clean, and makes a good change from my usual clay based wash-off masks. RRP from £1.09.

Think peel off masques are just for the girls? They don't have to be. I gave Mr E the Zap Them Peel Off masque for men. It contains ginger to tone and firm the skin’s appearance and rosemary to calm any problem outbreaks. Unfortunately for me, I think I've created a monster. He also enjoyed the peeling-off experience and has asked me to buy more...RRP from £1.29.

You can find out more about Montagne Jeunesse skin care products by following the link.

* PR sample provided for review

Valentine's Day Kisses with FashionistA Lipsticks

2012-02-11T17:42:00.000Z

I have to admit, I haven't heard of FashionistA before...but apparently they are gathering a growing following for their blush palettes (which, as a blush addict, I like the sound of A LOT). Recently they sent me a couple of their Double Take Long Wear lipsticks to try for Valentine's Day.

(Artificial Light, L: Red Carpet; R: Coral)

(Natural Light, L: Red Carpet; R: Coral)

Red Carpet feels like a really classic red. It's bright, it's not too blue or too orange-toned, and it would be right at home with winged black eyeliner and Veronica Lake waves.

Coral looks almost scarily orange on the swatch under artificial light, but in real life the red and pink tones overpowered the orange, thankfully. Coral is like Red Carpet's more modern sister. It's probably not my usual sort of colour, but I really think this would look amazing on a warmer skin tone or with a tan.

Both lipsticks went on creamily, and you can see that they do have a bit of a shine to them. They didn't feel too drying, but I think if you do suffer from dry or flaky lips you would need to make sure they were in fairly good condition before applying one of these. I found them both very long-wearing, especially Red Carpet. They faded well, so once the initial shine had worn off, there was still a fairly even 'stain' of colour left.

FashionistA Double Take lipsticks come in 7 shades, and are available for £7 from Superdrug. Perfect bargain pick-me-up.

Have you tried any FashionistA products? What's the perfect Valentine's Day lipstick for you?

*PR sample provided for review. (No, it's not a typo in the title, it's supposed to have a capital A at the end, apparently...)

Who is Dave, and why is he Famous?

2012-02-07T20:09:00.001Z

I know it's only February, but I'm starting to look forward to spring and summer, and have been getting back into fake tan mode after a pale and interesting winter.

I was sent Famous Dave's Gradual 10 to try a little while ago, and have been using it ever since to top up my other fake tans, to keep the colour going longer so I don't have all the faff and mess of a weekly fake tan application.
Gradual 10 contains natural active ingredients and antioxidants, including Aloe Vera, Cocoa Butter, Vitamins A & E, and infused with organic ingredients such as Rosehip Oil, Sunflower Oil and Sweet Almond Oil to help care for your skin.

It promises to care for your skin in 10 different ways:
1. Moisturises
2. Nourishes
3. Protects
4. Softens
5. Soothes
6. Smoothes
7. Evens out skin tone
8. Delays the effects of ageing
9. Improves skin's elasticity and firmness
10. Develops gradually into a flawless tan

Frankly all 10 could probably be reduced to 2...

1. Is a moisturiser

2. Has a bit of fake tan in it

...but that probably wouldn't be much of a strapline (there's a reason I don't work in marketing).

It has a fairly neutral smell, and the light lotion is very easily absorbed into my skin, so I can slap this on last thing at night and not feel sticky when I'm going to bed. Best of all, no digestive biscuits smell! I love the fact that the bottle comes with a pump dispenser, all in all this is great for no-fuss, no mess fake tanning.

I generally tend to stay away from gradual tanners even though I'm pale, because they often look quite orange on me. This one definitely gives more of an olivey tan though, so it's a perfect counterpart to weekly tanners such as Xen Tan and St Tropez.

Priced at £17.99 for 250ml, this is at the pricier end of the gradual tan spectrum. But you definitely get what you pay for, and the colour and quality of the product makes it worth it for me. The bottle lasts for ages - I've had this one on the go since at least November and it's still more than half full.

Have you tried any Famous Dave products before?
And just who is Dave, and why is he Famous?

*PR sample

Spend Vouchers, Get Glamorous Rewards!

2012-02-07T20:09:00.000Z

So supermarket shopping definitely isn't the most glamourous of activities. But it's something we all have to do (some more regularly than others, depending how many greedy husbands and/or children we have to feed....) But with Tesco Clubcard there can be something in it for you too (other than all the chocolate you've just sneaked into the trolley, obviously). If you're not already aware of the Clubcard premise, the idea is that you spend money in Tesco stores or at other participating shops, or using a Tesco credit card, and once you've collected 150 points they'll send you a voucher worth £1.50. Obviously the more you spend, the higher the value of the voucher you receive at the end of the month.

In the past I've always just spent my Clubcard vouchers on more food shopping in store. But I'm starting to think I could use them more wisely. I’ve been investigating the Tesco Clubcard Rewards site, which has details of all the rewards which you can swap your Clubcard vouchers for – ranging from holidays to meals out, hotels to cinema tickets. Somehow I can't imagine ever doing enough shopping to pay for a holiday, but I have a colleague who uses hers every year for tickets to the races, and I reckon I can definitely stack up enough to give myself a little treat like a manicure or meal out.
You can exchange your clubcard vouchers for rewards such as online shopping vouchers for beauty sites where you can buy makeup and beauty products, tokens for gyms like LA Fitness or for treatments at spas like Lavish Spa and Beauty. And the best bit is, you can get up to 4x the voucher value when you exchange them for Clubcard rewards, so you get more value back than you would if you just used them in store. They also have special offers which change each month, so if there's nothing that catches your eye to start with, it's worth checking back another time.

So what are your top tips for using your reward vouchers? Any deals I should know about? What should I spend mine on?

Sponsored Post

Like a Virgin

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000Z

For a great budget pampering treat I often turn to a Montagne Jeunesse face mask - priced at around £1 a sachet it's easy to slip one of these into the supermarket trolley without feeling guilty. The latest addition to the range is the Virgin Olive Masque, which contains Virgin olive oil, shea butter and aloe vera.

Usually what I'm looking for in a face mask is something that will deep cleanse and absorb oil, but a long winter sitting in a heated office has left my skin feeling a bit dry and tight, so I needed something a bit more soothing and moisturising.

The masque itself feels rich and creamy, without any overpowering smell. I applied it on damp skin, left it on while I was in the bath and then when rinsed away my skin definitely felt softer, without any tightness or flakiness.

Montagne Jeunesse are BUAV approved (do not test on animals) and their products are Vegan friendly

Montagne Jeunesse Virgin Olive Masque is priced at £1.01 available from ASDA and www.montagnejeunesse.com

* PR sample

Houston, we have a problem

2012-02-04T17:28:00.000Z

It seems that over recent months, I have amassed a grand total of at least 10 barely used body butters (I know for a fact there are a few mini ones in my desk at work - I'm not thinking about them or it'll push me over the edge). I am therefore making it my mission to use up at least one a month for the rest of the year, and will write a quick review about each. That way by the end of the year I should have super-soft legs and a lot more space in the bathroom cabinet.

This is what 3 litres of body butter looks like.

First on the list is Burt's Bees Mango and Orange. Cheating slightly because this one is only 2/3 full, but hey, February's a short month.

See you at the end of February for the review!

Maybe in 2013 I can start on the 15 tubes of body lotion...

What's your favourite body butter? Do you have something you're trying to use up at the moment?

NOTD: Revlon Stormy

2012-01-21T10:00:00.000Z

It's been a while since I did a nail of the day post. Mainly because I've actually been quite good lately, and haven't bought any new nail varnish for months.

(Until Thursday night's attack on the Lena White sale)

I'm a long-time fan of Revlon nail varnish - they always dry quickly and last quite well, even on my nails which are super-quick to chip. I must have painted my nails too close to going to bed....there's a few dodgy marks on the thumb here...

Stila Spring 2012

2012-01-17T08:30:00.000Z

Not a lot of words today, but some pretty pictures, my picks from the Stila Spring 2012 Collection, available from March. How am I supposed to resist a blusher that looks like this?

Love at First Blush £12

In the Garden Eye Shadow Palette £25

Jewel Eye Shadow £13 - Black Diamond

Jewel Eye Shadow £13 - Golden Topaz

None of this is good news for my plan to buy less makeup....

Review: Charles Worthington Salon At Home Shine Booster

2012-01-16T08:30:00.000Z

I love having long hair, but one of the downsides is that fact that the longer (and therefore older) the hair, the duller it tends to look. So I jumped at the chance to review one of the sets from the Charles Worthington 'Salon at Home' range - Shine Booster, which promises to give gorgeous shiny hair and boost colour radiance.

The set consists of three steps. Step 1 is a Shine Glaze, which you apply to dry hair, pop on a plastic shower cap (deeply attractive) and leave to do its thing for about 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. I struggled to fit all my hair under the cap, so a slightly bigger one would have been good, but my hair is a ridiculous length and, to be fair, I've got a big head. Since my roots tend to get greasy quite quickly, I concentrated on the mid-lengths and ends, which is where my hair needs the most help anyway.

Step 2 is a Shine Boosting Shampoo, which worked well to rinse out the Shine Glaze so my hair didn't feel too heavy. They suggest a second lathering if you have fine or greasy hair, but I didn't feel my hair needed this.

Step 3 is the Shine Boosting Conditioner, which you leave on for 2 minutes before rinsing. A cold water rinse is suggested to boost shine even more, but I am far too much of a wimp to actually do this (does anyone?)

I was quite happy with the results. It definitely left my hair feeling a lot smoother and sleeker than it does after a normal wash and condition. It looked naturally shinier too. I usually end up loading my hair up with serums and shine spray to get it looking shiny, but the photos below are just using a bit of heat protective spray, then blow-drying over a paddle brush. I didn't feel my hair got greasy any more quickly than usual, which is a big bonus for me, as a lot of intensive conditioners leave it feeling limp and weighed down.

Strange angles, but hopefully you can see the shine. Not bad for hair that hasn't been near a hairdresser for about five months and is due for a colour!

Unfortunately, the effects didn't really last beyond the next wash on me. I think this is best suited to giving your hair a bit of a boost for a special occasion or big night out, rather than if you are looking for something that will change the look of your hair more permanently.

Priced at £19.99 from Boots, the set includes 4 treatments. It is expensive, there's no getting away from that, but it definitely works out cheaper than similar treatments at a salon. I won't get more than 3 treatments out of it, but anyone with normal length hair would get at least 4 or more from the pack.

For more information, visit the website.

* PR sample provided for review

A Brush with Greatness

2012-01-14T10:00:00.000Z

Makeup brushes are something I didn't feel like I was too bothered about or had ever spent much money on, but over the years seem to have gradually built up quite a large collection of different brushes.

I have numerous spares that don't get used that often, and duplicates of a couple of the my favourites (I'm too lazy to wash them very regularly), but this is the core team.

My favourites are a real mix of brands and prices, and I've included links to where you can find any of these you might be interested in.

Face

Blusher brush - Louise Young LY04 maxi powder/blusher brush £17.00
This is super-soft, making it great for using with really pigmented blushers like Illamasqua and NARS, as it doesn't pick up too much product with each swipe and you can build up the colour on your cheeks. It is quite a big brush, so better for an overall soft wash of colour than precise placement.

Foundation brush - Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki brush $16.00 (approx £10.50)
I actually don't generally use a foundation brush, as I much prefer to use my fingers for application. (Less chance of streakiness, easier to clean afterwards.) If I do though, I use this one. I find it great for really 'buffing' a liquid foundation into my skin and not getting those tell-tale brush strokes. Wait until they have a free international delivery offer on though, as it can be quite pricey otherwise.

Concealer brush - Illamasqua Blending Brush 2 £23.50
Strictly speaking, I don't think this is meant to be a concealer brush. I find it works really well for this though, as the brushes are stiff enough to work with a thick product like concealer, but still fluffy enough to blend it in properly.

Contour brush - Models Own Angled Blush Brush £8.00
The neon orange handle nearly put me off this, but I bought this anyway because I wanted a cheapish contour brush, it was on offer in Boots at the time, and I ended up liking it anyway. It's quite soft, but I find that a good thing for a contour brush as I use it with bronzer and don't want to pick up too much colour in one go.

Eyes

Flat eyeshadow brush - Ecotools Bamboo Eye Shading Brush £5.99
This is a large, soft lid brush which is ideal for a quick wash of colour on your lid. Ecotools brushes in general are a real favourite of mine. As the name suggests, their eco credentials are spot on, and they are a great price.

Fluffy blending brush - No.7 Eyeshadow Blend and Contour Brush £7.25
I'm not sure what the rule is with brushes and No.7 vouchers - sometimes I've been able to get the £5 off, and sometimes I haven't. It's always worth a try though! This is my favourite brush for blending out eyeshadow. It's really soft, and for the price I think it's great quality.

Fine eyeliner brush - MAC 210 Precise Eyeliner Brush £16.00
I like my eyeliner fine, and this is about as thin a brush as you can get, but still stiff enough to work perfectly with gel liners like Bobbi Brown or MAC Fluidline.

Pencil brush - Ecotools Bamboo Smudge Eyeliner Brush £4.99
I don't actually use this as an eyeliner brush, but it's perfect for using with a dark colour in the crease, or to fill in my eyebrows when I want them to look a bit more soft rather than completely precise. It even comes with a bonus pencil sharpener at the end. Total bargain.

Lips

Retractable lip brush - Louise Young Retractable Sable Lip Brush £13.00
When it comes to lip brushes, retractable is pretty much my main requirement. Lipstick is something that I reapply frequently during the day or on a night out, and this brush can pop back into its case and not get covered in fluff in my handbag. Plus it looks nice. Winner.

Do you stick to one brand when it comes to brushes, or do you mix and match like me?

* All brushes purchased by me, except the Louise Young brushes which I won in a charity raffle held by Nicoletta.

2 Minutes with Naked 2

2012-01-13T18:09:00.003Z

I think everyone who writes a beauty blog has probably already said everything there is to say about this palette. But mine arrived a couple of days ago, so here is a really quick-fire post with my initial thoughts.

A lot has been made of the fact that this a more cool-toned palette than the last one. It is, but if you're hoping for full-on coolness then this probably won't deliver. There are still a number of colours in there which I know will look dodgy on me unless I'm fake tanned. I wish they hadn't included Half-Baked again. I actually don't think of gold as a neutral colour. Although on first impressions, it seems to be a bit of a lighter gold than it was in the last palette (I will investigate further...). Likewise, Chopper will probably pull a bit too red on people with very cool skin tones.

Favourites so far are Verve and Suspect, both great lid shades which would look great just on their own, or with a little of one of the darker colours in the crease. Tease is a gorgeous matte purply taupe - which doesn't go particularly well with any of the others in the palette, but I'm planning to team with RBR Gracious Arasari for my new go-to work eyeshadow. And thank you Urban Decay for including a matte black. I always use a matte black to set my eyeliner, so this was what the last palette was really missing for me. Blackout fits the bill - very black and very matte. Good stuff.

The price hike is somewhat annoying. £36 for Naked 2 is still something I'm prepared to pay, because I like Urban Decay eyeshadows and I know I'm highly likely to use it a lot. But the increase from £28 (the price of the original last year) and the switch from a mini primer-potion and a double ended eyeliner to a pointless lipgloss and a dubious brush pushes it from being a really good deal to just OK.

The crucial question: do you need it.

Well.

If you have the original Naked palette, does it now look like this?

If so, yes you do.

If it's still pristine because you've barely used it...then no, you probably don't.

If you don't have the original Naked palette, do you wear a lot of neutral eyeshadows?

If so, go for it.

If you don't, then really don't bother. £36 is an awful lot of money for something if you're not likely to get much use out of it.