Winter Lips...

Hello...

I have been away for a little while... I have not really been up to much, in fact I have been bored out of my brain doing the usual mundane everyday things.  I think it quite easy to get stuck in a rut, so I have been thinking about the things I like doing and top of my list was my blog... so here I am!!

I knew winter was on its way, but nothing tells you like your lip splitting when you smile.  Yeah this happened to me!!  Every winter I suffer with sore/chapped lips and I have to make sure I am in constant supply of lip balm.  This year I have decided to treat my lips to a little TLC!! The other day I went a little crazy in Lush, as one has recently opened in the town I live in.  I had heard allot about there 'Popcorn Lip Scrub' from reading other blogs so headed straight for it!  Where I found that I had a choice of three 'Mint Julips and Bubblegum'.  After smelling/trying them all the little girl with a sweet tooth within me could resist the Bubblegum Lip Scrub, this pink lip scrub contains Caster Sugar which helps to buff off any dead skin and Organic Jojoba Oil which leave the lips moisturised and soft.  This smells so good you could eat it (no really, you can eat it!!)  But just brush the excess of and then follow up with in my opinion the ultimate lip balm Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm, for deep conditioning lip treatment.  Perfect!!

Are your lips more chapped/sore this time of year?  How do you treat your lips with a little TLC?

I would love to here from you.

No.7 Foundation Match Made Service... Ta Dah... Oh?!

Source

Long time, no blog...

Sorry I have been abit MIA but, I have been really busy at work, then I was ill and then everyone else in my house hold was ill, so I had to play nurse.

Anyway I am back and I want to share with you my thoughts on some of my new purchases. 

Here in the UK there has been a little buzz with the new No.7 Foundation Match Made Service.  I was desperate to see how this worked and would pop into Boots in my lunch break to get my foundation match but, would always be met by a long ques of women waiting to take their turn in the chair.  Finally on my day off I got my chance to sit down with one of there lovely assistants who placed their machine on my jaw line on each side of my cheek to discover my perfect foundation and colour matched me with Walnut.  We discussed what my skin type was like and what I was really looking for in a foundation and she suggested the Stay Perfect Liquid.  When applied it gave me medium coverage and a semi matte finish, its long lasting (up to 16 hours) and left my skin feeling nice when touched... Sold! 

When I got home it was a different story, when applied to my whole face my skin looked lifeless, dull and ashy.  I think the problem is that there are only two shades for darker skin tones and the machine and the assistant just worked with what they had and this just wasn't right for me.  Which is a shame because my experience good, I really liked the glass frosted packaging and was really happy with the aftercare service when I told them of my complaint. 

Technology is great but you cant beat the old fashioned way of going int a store, blending there foundation into your jaw line, stepping outside into natural daylight with a mirror and seeing if you have got a good colour match... For me anyway I am part of that 8% who was not satisfied.

Have you tried the new No.7 Foundation colour Match Made Service?  What did You think?

This or That Tag

I was recently tagged in a 'This or That' post by misslaceyloves and thought why not join in as it a fun way for you to get to know me a little bit more.  I was given 13 'This or That' questions about makeup and I also threw in a couple more in the mix.

Makeup

1.   Blusher or Bronzer

I have to admit that I have a thing for blushers, I am usually drawn to bright pinks but I recently discovered Flushed by Sleek Makeup which is more of a plumb colour.  I use my blush brush to sweep this powder formulation over my cheeks, which give me a warm look and I think it suits m skin tone perfectly. 

2.   Lipgloss or Lipstick

Mmmm this is a tricky one as I prefer coloured lip balms because I have got dry lips I find the more hydrating, so I am not sure what category they fall into?? My coloured lipbalm/stain of choice is Revlon Just Bitten in Lovesick review.  I love it as it is a lush colour, hydrates my lips and stains my lips all day long.

3.   Chapstick or Lipbutter

I do always have something hanging around but I am going to have to choose lipbutter(ish).  I cant tell you enough how much I like Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm (actually I can review).  I apply this matte lip treatment at night and wake up with lovely feeling lips.

4.   Matte or Sparkle Eye Shadow

At the moment I use a little bit of both, I put Barry M Dazzle Dust in Bronze all over the lid and No7 Stay Perfect Matte Mocha is blended into the crease of my eye.

5.   Eyeliner or Mascara

This one is easy... Once upon a time my bf told me that I have got little eyelashes like a pig (romantic, eh), anyway this has stayed with me so I pile on the mascara.  At the moment I am using Bad Gal Lash by Benefit in Black and am tempted to try their They're Real! Beyond Mascara in Black.

6.   Gel, Liquid, Cream Pencil Eyeliner

I have them all but I always use pencil in black and I just use one from Collections that seem to do the trick, it precise and smudges well. I apply this to my top lid the smudge/blend for a more natural line. 

7.   Foundation or Concealer

Foundation gives me a good, all over, even coverage.  I have a few foundations but the one I like using at the moment is Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat in B90 review.  Excellent coverage leaving me with a even skin tone. 

8.   Liquid or Powder Foundation 

See Above.

9.   Neutral or Statement Eyes 

Neutral eye during the day and smokey statement eyes for the evening.

10.   Pressed or Loose powder

I use pressed for that finished look as I always drop some powder on my light carpets. 

11.   Waterproof or Non-Waterproof

Waterproof all the way as there is no movement and I have a fantastic makeup remover. 

12.   Brushes, Sponges or Fingers

I have a (OCD) thing about makeup being on my hands so I use brushes as I think sponges are a little unhygienic.

13.  Powder, Cream or Liquid Highlighter

I don't really use highlighter, I do own the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat in Dark but it doesn't really do anything for me as I think I got a shade that was too dark for me and I after that Kim Kardashian look. 

14.   Eyebrow Pencil or Powder

When I am in the mood I try to go for the 'Scouse Brow' and I try to achieve this by using Mac Eye Brow in Stud.  I flick it through the brow and then brush my brows for a natural look.  Its great cause there is no need for a sharpener as you just twist the end. 

15.  Fake Eye Lashes or Eyelash Curlers

I do use eyelash curlers more often but as I have 'little piggy' eyelashes I am going to go with fake, fake, fake... There is a girl at work with amazing eyes lashes and after grilling her about them she recommended a really cheap pair for just £1.99 from Just Eessentials and they are 100% human hair.  They look amazing on I got them in short, I will review soon.

Nutriganics Smoothing Serum

For a while now I have been reaching for Nutriganics Smoothing Serum by The Body Shop.  It was recommended to me by one of the Sales Consultants who gave me a sample to try at home.  After my trail I was so im pressed I purchased the full size.  I was drawn to this because the ingredients are 99% organic, it's pre moisturiser agents and claims to fight the first signs of ageing (which comforted my ageing paranoia).  At the time my skin was also dry and dull in areas so looking for something to give it that boost and this worked it really did, to the point that my face has almost been glowing... too much.  My face has been glowing so much that my make-up feels heavy and is almost sliding off of my face and breakouts... I don't mind the odd blemish but my skin of late has had spots the size of boils, they are under the skin and painful.  So I changed my moisturiser to one that is more for oily/combination skin but I was still finding myself with the same problems, so I stopped using the serum and my skin feels normal (well as normal as combination skin can be). This is a shame because this is a really nice product and seem to do everything it said it would, it just wasn't right for my skin. I do think that on the right skin this could really complement someones skin routine.

I would also like to say a big THANK YOU to Lacey and to Makeup and London for being my first followers xx

Do you use a serum?  Is there a product you love but hate?  I would love to hear from you.

Le Teint Touche Eclat New Foundation

This foundation is Yves Saint Laurent latest edition to their Touche Eclat range.  I have been hearing the buzz about this foundation for a few weeks now, so I went to my local department store and picked up a sample.   There are 22 shades available and I got shade B90, the shade is a little darker that I would usually wear but my skin is a little darker with it being summer. during the winter months I think I could probably get away with wearing B80 or even BD70.  The light of Touche claims to:

'... target shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty. Illuminating foundation. Dimensional radiance. Weightless perfection.'

This is a light formula with medium coverage, I have pigmented areas of my skin and this really did even it out giving me an even skin tone. I blended this into my skin using my finger, I didn't get that heavy feeling you sometime get, almost like you are wearing a mask.  My skin felt flawless for most of the day, I did get that congested feeling towards the end of the day, but I think that maybe due to my skin being really oily at the moment.  The first day of wearing this foundation a women approached me to tell me that show thought I had flawless skin and how lucky I was, so I had to let let her in on the YSL foundation (should be a rep'), and was left feeling fantastic for the rest of the day.  This is something I will definitely be purchasing the full size of.

This is avaliable in all good department store link and online RRP £28.

What are your thoughts on the YSL range?  Have you tried Le Teint Touche Eclat New Foundation?

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable - Lovesick

Hi Guys,

I wanted to share a little beauty buy I made the other day before work.  You may or may not know that Revlon, Just Bitten Kissable has finally arrived in the UK.  I don't want to say it, but they are the high street dupe of Clinques, Chubby Stick Lip Balm and in my opinion they are much better.  I picked up Lovesick to describe the colour it is like a fuchsia pink, which is very adventurous for me.  It was that or Crush which I felt I already had a few variations of this colour already and felt like a change. 

This is really easy to apply, I apply it to one lip and then rub my lips together and then apply to the other and then repeat as I feel this give me even coverage.  I am left with hydrated, smooth, tingling, fuchsia tinted lips.  I think the tingle comes from the smell of soft mint which I quite like and think that this also encourages me to pout more too.  The colour on my lips is exactly the same as the stick and this is amazing to me because I have dark lips so expected the colour to change once on, but it didn't so I am happy.  This is a stain so once the balm has worn a little my lips still have that hint of pink on them. I love the packaging, but the content doesn't really reflect the size of the pencil, which is abit of a shame.  This currently available to buy in the UK from Superdrug and Boots at an introductory price of of £5.99 (RRP £7.99).  Grab them while you can they are a steal. 

Have you tried the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable? Or any other lip stain?

My bf went to France and all I got was...

Hi Guys,

Long time no speak.  I have really missed not updating my post but, I started my new job on Sunday and have been really busy.  Excuses, excuses, I am going to try and get into some regular posting now.  I am loving it and constantly thinking of new ideas to keep you updated.  I am always thinking 'oh I can blog about this and that...' think it might turn into information overload and you guys will be like too much information, so I will filter my ideas (manic).

Anyway I said a few posts ago that my bf was going to France without me, so he was given a shopping list.  He is not good with things like this and I would never think about sending him out with a shopping list here because he would get it wrong or get over whelmed by the range of product and just give up (his not a marathon shopper like me).  So when he came back and told me that he couldn't get what I had asked for I wasn't too disappointed, however he put a massive smile on my face when he told me he did get everything that I had asked for!!! He is well and truly in the good bf books!!!

I have been using these products for a nearly a week and let me tell you that they are worth the hype.  Where should I begin...

Bioderma Crealine H2O, 500ml

This is a a very gentle make-up remover that looks just like water.  I have oily/combination skin but he picked up the one for dry skin but it does what it says on the bottle (in French) and my skin feels really refreshed afterwards.  With alot of make-up removers I have used in the past, they have really irritated my skin, especially around my eyes, it sometimes get a burning sensation which is abit alarming.  But this is just like wiping water across your face, so gentle.  There are very few ingredients and it basically smells of nothing which is a good sign.  I use about three cotton wool pads and with the last one  there is no or very little make-up remaining on my face, and the I just carry on with my regular routine.  It is quite pricey but I know you can get this online for alot less then what I got it for.  I have been using this for almost a week and have used a tiny amount so I know I am going to get my money's worth. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel Baume Levres - Lip Balm, 15g

'Wow' is what I said the morning after my first use.  This is a nourishing and repairing lip balm and has a real sweet citrus smell which is the ingredients of grapefruit, hone and shea butter.  I apply this matte balm on my lips at *night so it can really get to work and it is still on my lips in the morning.  My lips feel a-maz-ing all that dry flaky skin has vanished.  I have never had this experience before, I really suffer with dry skin on my lips and every though the conventional lip balms hydrate my lips I have never seen them is such good condition.  I feel Nuxe Baume Levres and I are going to become very close companions this coming winter.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir, 100ml

This has really blown up in the blogging world and now I am about to put my 2p's worth into the pot.  I wasn't even going to try it because the reviews that I read were really mixed and had heard there was a cheaper alternative on the high street.  I really like this product, it smells so fresh and natural and the fact that one of the ingredients is organic balm mint makes it feel like it is doing something because it tingles when sprayed onto the face.  I have just used it instead of a toner, so I spray it on just before I apply my moisturiser.  I know alot of people aren't into toners but I feel they really help with the application of a serum and moisturiser.  This helps to tighten pores which is a real aid to my overactive patches of skin.  You can get a smaller size bottle if you would like to try this out and again you can purchase this online. 

*I use this product at night you can also use this throughout the day. 

Are you using or will you try any of these products?

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Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm

Hot Cloth Cleansing Blam RRP £8.99

Hi Guys,

You probably already know about the fact the Boots have have repackaged their Botanics range and have currently got a 1/3 off promotion across the range.  The Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm caught my eye as I had already read a review on another blog, but that was before the ingredients had changed. 

Let me tell you that I think that it is absolutely glorious... I have combination skin where some parts of my skin are oily, normal and dry (I know high maintenance, right).  I am usually use foam cleansers which seems to balance all these things out, so I was a little worried that this may be a little rich upon opening the pot, but I need not of bothered.  

This organic deep-cleaning balm contains a luxurious blend of Shea Butter, Rosehip and Jojoba Oil to leave skin smooth and beautifully clean.  The ultra-rich softening formula swiftly lifts make-up, while the gentle polishing action... helps dislodge pore clogging debris, revealing your beautiful radiant complexion.   

I use this in the evening and apply after I have removed my make-up with a gentle remover, I message the wax like balm onto my face, soaked the muslin (supplied) in hot water, placed it onto my face and applied a little pressure, I then use the muslin with circular motions to remove the rest of the balm, then splashed some cold water over my face to help close my pores.  I really like the way my skin feels and afterwards even in the morning I haven't got those shiny patch's it seems to really settle my skin.  It smells delicious, you can really smell the rosehip and the other essential oils that are included within the formula.  This is going to last me a long time because a little really does go a long way and at it current promotional price that's a bargain.  I you are looking for some thing a little special at a reasonable price hotfoot it down to your local Boots or online before this promotion ends.   

• This product is suitable for all skin types, my skin type is combination and this is my own opinion on how this work for me and my skin.

What do you use to cleanse you skin? 

Wish List #1

Source

Hi Guy's,

I have to share the fact that I have fallen in love with... a bag!!  This is not just any bag, this is the Plaited Shopper from Zara.  This bag first caught my eye a couple of weeks ago but the person was walking past me so I didn't get the full affect of this bag, but while at work a customer walked past me with this bag and thats when it happened.  I had to go up to her (followed her around the shop... ok stalked her) and ask "Where did you get your bag from ?"  She actually told me she had to do the same to someone else in order to find out.  Imagine the things I can put in this bag (daydream).  Anyway when I got home I finally found the shopper online thinking if it's £40.00 I will buy it there and then but, it's £79.99 and I know that I cant justify this purchase when I know there are other things we need.  So I have decided to raise some funds by selling things around the house that I no longer have any use for, like my moses basket (sad face).  I am going to create an account when I do I will link it so you guys can have a look.  I really want this bag!!

In the mean time if you know of a cheaper alternative let me know!! 

My Week #1

Hi Guys,

First I would like to say a big THANK YOU for coming over to look at my blog!  I get so excited when I see how many of you have had a look and I have had views from all over the world so I know that they haven't all been just me (tehe).

What have I been up to so far this week?  Well...

1.  I worked my notice of my job  and I am now enjoying a week off, so I am currently 'inbetween jobs' as I start my new one on Sunday.  That job has to be the shortest on record I lasted 8 weeks, which I am not very proud of cause I usually stick at things no matter what but, I just could shake the feeling that things were not right.  So I got out quick!  I am trying to look at everything positively and believe that I learned a massive lesson about that short lived experience and that's I would have realised my worth and that I can do great things. 

2.   I bought some goodies... well actually I traded in some of my tatty old silver jewellery for a second-hand ring which I saw on Cherry Healey while watching her programme How to Get a Life (I know copycat).  I also got a silver stags head broach that I have had my eye on since January, I love it and will pinit to my beloved fur coat I got as a Xmas present a few years ago from River Island.  

3.   I had some money left over from my sale and popped into Boots and picked up a Collections 2000 eye liner in black because I had seen this and wanted to try a recreate the look with shades that suited my skin tone.  I will let you know how I get on with this as I think that its gonna be fun.    Also I picked up a  pot of Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm I saw this on Megs blog but I will post my own review and let you know what I think of the balm after using it a couple of times, my views are positive at the moment.

4.  Finally the bf has jetted off to France for a few days so as punishment I have given him a list of things to bring back with him so I will let you know if he comes good. 

I am learning so much from my short time of blogging and reading up loads trying to improve the look and hope to learn more.  I hope you guys have had a good week to!!  Let me know what you have been up to.

A Shower Spa Experience

Hi everyone... Welcome to Five10Eleven this is my very first post, so here goes...

I love abit of Boots me, on one of my lunch time visits I was looking for a beauty treat (and wanting to use my £5 off No.7 Voucher).  I stumbled across their Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil  .  I have really sensitive skin (which I choose to ignore), but the ingredients list and the fact that it is hypo allergenic had me interested. The shower oil contains Argan and Grapeseed oil and is also packed with Omega 6 and 9, the fragrance is to die for and is like a spa experience in your own bathroom.  I used it with a cloth and the product foamed a little when applied to my wet skin while in the shower. I was expecting more foam/lather but, because of the oil content I suppose a little will do.  The nice thing was after I dried my body there wasn't that tight feeling I get after I have used a shower gel.   It claims to leave your body hydrated all day long, I still moisturised (but that's because moisturising is my religion), I can see how those with less dry skin could 'shower and go' after using this product.  I do think the price tag of £9 is abit pricey but if you are using their £5 off No.7 Voucher its well worth the treat.  Boot £5 off No. 7 Vouchers expire 15/07/12.  This is a product I liked and would defo recommend, plus my son told me I spelt like flowers when I got out of the bath which is always a bonus!!

Ingredients

Caprylic/capric triglyceride,

Laureth-3, MIPA-Laureth

 sulfate, Laureth-7 citrate,

 Vitis vinifera (Grape) seed

oil, Parfum (Fragrance),

 Dipropylene glycol, Argania

 spinosa kernel oil,

 Tocopherol, Hydrogenated

 palm glycerides citrate.

Luxurious Foaming Shower Oil  from Boots Nationwide for £9.00

Do you use shower or bath oils?  What do you think of them?  Can recommend a good shower/bath oil?