Just thought I'd let you know about some freebies either already out or coming out soon.
First up is Body Shop freebies worth upto £16 with InStyle magazine (with Nicole Scherzinger on the cover), from Thursday 7th July, you can either pick a free mascara worth £10 or two eye pencils (black and navy) worth £8 each. Cost of the magazine is £3.70.
Probably most of you already know about the Glamour magazine Benefit freebies, they usually have fab Benefit freebies each year, this year it is mini Benetint, Posietint and High Beam, magazine costs £2 (with the very beautiful Adele on the cover). I thought I'd missed the boat on this but on Monday this week there were plenty left on the shelf in my large Tesco supermarket, I picked up High Beam as that's the only one I don't have, excellent bargain but be quick before this gets taken off the shelves.
From Thurs 7 July you can buy August's Marie-Claire magazine for £3.60 (with Audrey Tautou on the cover), it will come with a full sized Ciaté lip gloss, apparently worth £9.
Oh how I do love a bargain! :-)
Diane x
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Monday, 13 June 2011
NOTD Revlon Ocean Breeze - Scents of the Summer Collection
I have never worn a teal colour but I love this one, the colour is just beautiful and I think really complements my skin tone, also the chrome finish makes it a bright lovely summer colour.
I found afer 2 coats which is what you see here that it's opaque but I didn't get little streaky areas and you can see the brush strokes, but I'm not fussy, only someone scrutinising my nails up close and personal will really notice, and quite frankly no-one does that, do they...?
After 3 coats (which I very rarely can be bothered with) streaks are at full opacity, sorry I didn't take pics, this was done morning after the night before.
It started chipping after 3 days, so not the most long wearing but I don't have a top or bottom coat on, I know! slaps wrist, naughty me but I just don't have that kind of time usually, I know I know I should make time! I prefer to do my nails after I have a bath so there is less chance of them being ruined but I usually have a bath very late and hence putting polish on at all sometimes is just a bonus :-)
Speaking of top coats, I need one, any suggestions please?
Thanks lovelies,
Diane x
 |
| Sorry it's a bit blurry! Oh no I've never seen my hands so wrinkly! I'm getting on though you know, 39 in August, eek! that's just one year away from the big "4 0" it's getting "REAL" lol |
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| Complements my skin tone nicely (image is a still from a video that never happened!) |
I have never worn a teal colour but I love this one, the colour is just beautiful and I think really complements my skin tone, also the chrome finish makes it a bright lovely summer colour.
I found afer 2 coats which is what you see here that it's opaque but I didn't get little streaky areas and you can see the brush strokes, but I'm not fussy, only someone scrutinising my nails up close and personal will really notice, and quite frankly no-one does that, do they...?
After 3 coats (which I very rarely can be bothered with) streaks are at full opacity, sorry I didn't take pics, this was done morning after the night before.
It started chipping after 3 days, so not the most long wearing but I don't have a top or bottom coat on, I know! slaps wrist, naughty me but I just don't have that kind of time usually, I know I know I should make time! I prefer to do my nails after I have a bath so there is less chance of them being ruined but I usually have a bath very late and hence putting polish on at all sometimes is just a bonus :-)
Speaking of top coats, I need one, any suggestions please?
Thanks lovelies,
Diane x
Sunday, 12 June 2011
FOTD Bronze eyes Bronze/Rose Cheeks and Pink Lip
Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for sticking with me :-) xxx I know I'm not the most prolific blogger (understatement!) so I really do appreciate you all putting up with me random blogging.
Here is the look I wore yesterday when I went into central London, I was on the Southbank as I went to meet my friend and fellow Youtuber chefcaffy as she had come over from Singapore to do a catering event.
In aid of Cathy being a Nars lover, I of course went with some but not all Nars products, also the ones I used happen to be favs of mine :-)
Here are the pictures (actually these are stills from a FOTD video I started filming then annoyingly my camcorder ran out of battery!) and I'll put the write up below of all products and how I used them, hope you like...
Thank you so much for sticking with me :-) xxx I know I'm not the most prolific blogger (understatement!) so I really do appreciate you all putting up with me random blogging.
Here is the look I wore yesterday when I went into central London, I was on the Southbank as I went to meet my friend and fellow Youtuber chefcaffy as she had come over from Singapore to do a catering event.
In aid of Cathy being a Nars lover, I of course went with some but not all Nars products, also the ones I used happen to be favs of mine :-)
Here are the pictures (actually these are stills from a FOTD video I started filming then annoyingly my camcorder ran out of battery!) and I'll put the write up below of all products and how I used them, hope you like...
 |
Bit of a gromit smile here! I had just said something very amusing...may be lol Nars Fez eyeshadow - any bronze you have will work, I love this one  Inglot eyeshadows 360 mdeium ash brown and 378 deep ash brown, anything you have similar would work |
 |
| Swatches for you. I reorganised my Inglot palettes, loving this neutral one! The bronze colour 406 in this palette is gorgeous too, pigmented beautiful finish and no effort to apply and it does so smoothly and evenly. |
 |
| Mac Harmony Beauty powder as my blending colour |
Eyes:
Nars Smudgeproof Primer
Eve Pearl Concealer Trio B on inner corner
Nars loose Powder to set concealer & even skin tone on lid
Nars Fez eyeshadow on lid and up to and over crease
Inglot 360 Medium ash brown eyeshadow outer V
Inglot 378 Deep ash brown eyeshadow outer V and all along top lash line at root of lashes and on outer third of bottom lashes
Mac Harmony beauty powder to blend out colours above crease
Urban Decay Naked Palette Sin eyeshadow as inner corner highlight
Avon Supershock Gel liner, outer third upper water line and all along lower waterline and into roots of lashes
Pretige My Blackest Lashes on top and bottom lashes
Note: I decided not to highlight the brow bone to balance the lovely pearl sheen on my lids from the Fez e/s
Face:
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfector under eyes to give my concealer some slip to put over it, (the L'oreal one would do the same job).
Eve Pearl concealer trio b salmon part under my eyes and on blemishes, hyper-pigmentation around my mouth
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer in Tan, under my eyes to brighten
Benefit powder flash to set concealer under eyes
Nars Loose powder in Mountain on T-Zone
No Foundation was used.
Sleek Contour kit in Medium, dark colour lightly used in hollows of cheek bones, temples and under jaw line
Mac Sunny by Nature mineralised skin finish on cheeks, forehead, chin, bridge of nose
Nars Lovejoy Blush on cheeks, (decided no need for highlighter as this blush contains it's own shimmer)
Lips:
Mac Stripdown lipliner all over to even out natural pigmentation
NYX Mahoney lipliner on outline of lips
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Classic Rose No. 25 lipstick
That's it I think, I really loved the look, how could I not I used alot of my favourite products and instead of reaching for my beloved Boots No7 Golden Rose lipstick spf15, which is a go to of mine and would go perfectly and decided to mix it up with this pink, love it.
I have 4 No7 lipsticks now and I really enjoy them and find myself reaching for them regularly. The other one I am really liking right now is Chinchilla Stay Perfect No 50, it's a great option for summery days, a bronzy rose that would also go well with this look, it is lighter and brighter than golden rose.
Hope you enjoyed this :-) Thank you again for your amazing support, you make it worthwhile.
Diane x
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Paula's Choice Resist Regime Results - 30 Days Later
Hello my lovelies,
I thought I would detail here what I used, how I used them and the experiences I had, and give you some before and after photos too, so here goes.
Before starting I had 3 blemishes around my left eye, discolouration/skin damage from spots in the hollows of my cheek bones and along jaw line most of which happened when I was a teenager, some discolouration from recent spots, this happens whether I squeeze my spots or not :( I have some fine lines around eyes and forehead, and teeny flesh coloured bumps on my forehead, don't think anyone can notice but I'm a looking! I'm hoping that this area becomes as smooth as the rest of the skin on my face, the damage from spots new and old is exfoliated and new fresh even toned skin is revealed - wishful thinking perhaps! But that's what I paid my money for. If my fine lines are reduced and dark circles minimised that's a bonus.
I bought 4 products from the Paula's Choice Resist range consisting of:
RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner Skin Remodeling Complex
RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid
RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Week 1
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps every night
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, after 10 mins applied serum
(Please note I used my Estee Lauder Day Wear Plus Sheer Tint Release Formula each morning.)
Results: The first morning after use my blemishes were significantly reduced and continued to reduce steadily thereafter, skin looked brighter. No inflammation, stinging or peeling from the 5% AHA. Mild stinging along the tops of my cheekbones from the 10% AHA, went away soon after I applied the serum, no peeling or inflammation occurred.
Week 2
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps twice a day for first 2 days then reduced back to using at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, after 10 mins applied serum
Results:
After using the 5% AHA twice a day for 2 days I noticed pink areas about a centimetre in diameter on the apples of my cheeks and the skin slightly raised, no itching, tightness or peeling but suspect inflammed as this is unusual for me, so I decided to go back to using the 5% AHA only at night.
I keep staring at the hollows of my cheekbones, suspecting the discolouration may be fading! and the skin texture seems to be different, collagen promoting new healthy tissue? - too early to say, could just be wishful thinking at this stage...
Week 3
Clean and Clear Spot Treatment - smoothed over my forehead twice a week (has salicylic acid - BHA)
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, allowed a few mins for it to soak in then applied serum
Results: No issues with any of the products. The Clean and Clear has helped reduce the flesh coloured bumps a bit. Still watching like a hawk to check the progress on the discolouration in the hollows of my cheeks, def looks to me as if my skin tone and texture is evening out. But what's this? Are the lines on my forehead ever so slightly reduced, and the bothersome wrinkle under my left eye...
Week 4
Clean and Clear Spot Treatment - smoothed over my forehead twice a week (has salicylic acid - BHA)
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - twice a week 3 days apart, allowed a few mins for it to soak in then applied serum
Results: 10% AHA twice a week too drying for some parts of my face, will reduce to once a week again. The flesh coloured bumps on my forehead are definitely reduced but not gone completely, no drying of skin as only used twice a week.
What can I say? Consider me well and truly impressed and I have to admit a bit awed. The discolourations in hollows off my cheeks are actually evening out, if I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes I wouldn't have really believed it poss by just applying (over the counter) products topically.
The lines on my forehead look smoother as if they have been slightly rubbed out! there seems to be a small change in the depth of the annoying wrinkle under my left eye that I usually have to avoid getting concealer in for fear of it caking, if that continues I really will be over the moon! I do feel as though my skin feels firmer and radiant. Quite possibly my dark circles are not quite as dark but I'm reserving judgement on that for the moment.
I didn't want this to be a gushing review, but after just 30 days I am pretty amazed and I tell you no lies! I am going to post some before and after pics below (WARNING - you will be getting up close and personal with some of my many imperfections - eek!) but I'm not sure how helpful they will be, as they were taken at different times of day, so the lighting is different, so sorry about that but I can only take them when I get the chance around my family life.
Needless to say I will be eagerly continuing with these products and adding three more Paula's Choice products into my routine;-
RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer this contains retinol, nervous about using retinol but as my skin has taken to the other products in this line so well I hope this bodes well... I have also ordered Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45 and Weightless Body Treatment with 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid for the body, which can also be used on the face, which I'm going to try on my T-zone to hopefully get rid of the small flesh coloured bumps on my forehead and perhaps help reduce the shine on my nose! Now Easter hols have passed, I am hoping to receive these products any day - fingers crossed!
I will also be occasionally including other products, either those I already love to use in my usual regime or new ones, in particular some Liz Earle products, that I won in a giveaway from the lovely Simone Gannon, who has a fab blog: http://www.simonelovesmakeup.com/
I have been so dedicated in just using the PC RESIST products this past month but I will prob swap out the 5% AHA in favour of my Clarisonic occasionally and add my much loved Akamuti Rose Replenishing Facial Oil or the Liz Earle Moisturizer I have when my skin feels like it needs more.
I will probably do another before and after set of photos after 3 months, I would like to see the difference if any myself.
If you read all of this - thank you! I do hope you got something useful from sticking with this looooong post. Now after all this if you would like to see my video of this where I am bare faced except for a natural lippy and I curled my eyelashes! click this link. I couldn't help myself have so much of my imperfections already on show - yikes.
Diane x
I thought I would detail here what I used, how I used them and the experiences I had, and give you some before and after photos too, so here goes.
Before starting I had 3 blemishes around my left eye, discolouration/skin damage from spots in the hollows of my cheek bones and along jaw line most of which happened when I was a teenager, some discolouration from recent spots, this happens whether I squeeze my spots or not :( I have some fine lines around eyes and forehead, and teeny flesh coloured bumps on my forehead, don't think anyone can notice but I'm a looking! I'm hoping that this area becomes as smooth as the rest of the skin on my face, the damage from spots new and old is exfoliated and new fresh even toned skin is revealed - wishful thinking perhaps! But that's what I paid my money for. If my fine lines are reduced and dark circles minimised that's a bonus.
I bought 4 products from the Paula's Choice Resist range consisting of:
RESIST Advanced Replenishing Toner Skin Remodeling Complex
RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% Alpha Hydroxy Acid
RESIST Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 10% Alpha Hydroxy Acid
RESIST Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Week 1
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps every night
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, after 10 mins applied serum
(Please note I used my Estee Lauder Day Wear Plus Sheer Tint Release Formula each morning.)
Results: The first morning after use my blemishes were significantly reduced and continued to reduce steadily thereafter, skin looked brighter. No inflammation, stinging or peeling from the 5% AHA. Mild stinging along the tops of my cheekbones from the 10% AHA, went away soon after I applied the serum, no peeling or inflammation occurred.
Week 2
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps twice a day for first 2 days then reduced back to using at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, after 10 mins applied serum
Results:
After using the 5% AHA twice a day for 2 days I noticed pink areas about a centimetre in diameter on the apples of my cheeks and the skin slightly raised, no itching, tightness or peeling but suspect inflammed as this is unusual for me, so I decided to go back to using the 5% AHA only at night.
I keep staring at the hollows of my cheekbones, suspecting the discolouration may be fading! and the skin texture seems to be different, collagen promoting new healthy tissue? - too early to say, could just be wishful thinking at this stage...
Week 3
Clean and Clear Spot Treatment - smoothed over my forehead twice a week (has salicylic acid - BHA)
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - once at the end of the week, allowed a few mins for it to soak in then applied serum
Results: No issues with any of the products. The Clean and Clear has helped reduce the flesh coloured bumps a bit. Still watching like a hawk to check the progress on the discolouration in the hollows of my cheeks, def looks to me as if my skin tone and texture is evening out. But what's this? Are the lines on my forehead ever so slightly reduced, and the bothersome wrinkle under my left eye...
Week 4
Clean and Clear Spot Treatment - smoothed over my forehead twice a week (has salicylic acid - BHA)
Toner - every morning and night
5% AHA - 1-2 pumps at night only.
Serum - every night
10% AHA - twice a week 3 days apart, allowed a few mins for it to soak in then applied serum
Results: 10% AHA twice a week too drying for some parts of my face, will reduce to once a week again. The flesh coloured bumps on my forehead are definitely reduced but not gone completely, no drying of skin as only used twice a week.
What can I say? Consider me well and truly impressed and I have to admit a bit awed. The discolourations in hollows off my cheeks are actually evening out, if I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes I wouldn't have really believed it poss by just applying (over the counter) products topically.
The lines on my forehead look smoother as if they have been slightly rubbed out! there seems to be a small change in the depth of the annoying wrinkle under my left eye that I usually have to avoid getting concealer in for fear of it caking, if that continues I really will be over the moon! I do feel as though my skin feels firmer and radiant. Quite possibly my dark circles are not quite as dark but I'm reserving judgement on that for the moment.
I didn't want this to be a gushing review, but after just 30 days I am pretty amazed and I tell you no lies! I am going to post some before and after pics below (WARNING - you will be getting up close and personal with some of my many imperfections - eek!) but I'm not sure how helpful they will be, as they were taken at different times of day, so the lighting is different, so sorry about that but I can only take them when I get the chance around my family life.
Left Before - Right After
Needless to say I will be eagerly continuing with these products and adding three more Paula's Choice products into my routine;-
RESIST Barrier Repair Moisturizer this contains retinol, nervous about using retinol but as my skin has taken to the other products in this line so well I hope this bodes well... I have also ordered Extra Care Non-Greasy Sunscreen SPF 45 and Weightless Body Treatment with 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid for the body, which can also be used on the face, which I'm going to try on my T-zone to hopefully get rid of the small flesh coloured bumps on my forehead and perhaps help reduce the shine on my nose! Now Easter hols have passed, I am hoping to receive these products any day - fingers crossed!
I will also be occasionally including other products, either those I already love to use in my usual regime or new ones, in particular some Liz Earle products, that I won in a giveaway from the lovely Simone Gannon, who has a fab blog: http://www.simonelovesmakeup.com/
I have been so dedicated in just using the PC RESIST products this past month but I will prob swap out the 5% AHA in favour of my Clarisonic occasionally and add my much loved Akamuti Rose Replenishing Facial Oil or the Liz Earle Moisturizer I have when my skin feels like it needs more.
I will probably do another before and after set of photos after 3 months, I would like to see the difference if any myself.
If you read all of this - thank you! I do hope you got something useful from sticking with this looooong post. Now after all this if you would like to see my video of this where I am bare faced except for a natural lippy and I curled my eyelashes! click this link. I couldn't help myself have so much of my imperfections already on show - yikes.
Diane x
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Illamasqua UK Free Delivery
Quickie Post - more of a bulletin really lol!
Free Standard UK Delivery on all Illamasqua orders for the next 48 hours - until Midnight Thursday 14th April
That's it folks :-)
Free Standard UK Delivery on all Illamasqua orders for the next 48 hours - until Midnight Thursday 14th April
That's it folks :-)
Fab Mascara for Lower Lashes and Affordable!
Hello everyone,
Thank you all so much for supporting my blog, and welcome to my newbie followers :-)
I wanted to share with you a mascara that I think works brilliantly for the lower lashes as well as the upper lashes, that just so happens to be affordable, in fact it's from Maybellline. Which one you ask?
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara
Not only does it lift, separate, lengthen and add volume but it's shape makes it perfect for the bottom lashes. As you will see from the photos below the wand is thin and curved, I can't believe how ergonomically designed it is for the lower lashes and currently costs £8.19 from Boots.com.
Thank you all so much for supporting my blog, and welcome to my newbie followers :-)
I wanted to share with you a mascara that I think works brilliantly for the lower lashes as well as the upper lashes, that just so happens to be affordable, in fact it's from Maybellline. Which one you ask?
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara
Not only does it lift, separate, lengthen and add volume but it's shape makes it perfect for the bottom lashes. As you will see from the photos below the wand is thin and curved, I can't believe how ergonomically designed it is for the lower lashes and currently costs £8.19 from Boots.com.
The only thing negative I would say is that when I apply it to my top lashes it's not the most comfortable wand to use, despite it being thin it feels a bit scratchy, nothing major but I thought I should mention it. It's a fab mascara and the one I have been using as a day time mascara for the last month or two.
Ta very much for reading.
Diane x
Thursday, 7 April 2011
The UK now has a La Femme Blush Supplier! Amendment 2 stockists!
Hi lovelies,
Hot off the press, there is now an online store in the UK that supplies La Femme Blush/Eyeshadow Refills and Palettes! Woo hooooo Price is £3.50 per refill, here is the link, as you will see there is a huge selection of colours.
1st supplier is http://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/. I have purchased from this site a few times in the past, the service is brilliant, Julie the lady that runs it is lovely and so helpful. My orders have always arrived straight away with no problems. Any queries I have ever had have been replied to promptly and very friendly.
2nd supplier is http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/, click here to go to the blushes link, blush refills cost £2.99, the empty palettes are available too. I have to say hand on heart that I have received the same excellent friendly customer service from this site too, the lady that runs it just so happens to be very lovely as well.
Both of these sites does the UK online beauty world proud with their amazing service.
I originally found these sites when trying to find limited edition Mac items. They have a great selection of products, including OCC lip tars, NYX etc.
I wish this had happened before I placed my order with makeupmania, which I'm still waiting to receive by the way.
I'm so happy to be able to pass on this news, it's fab now being able to get hold of these in the UK and from such lovely suppliers too.
Diane x
Hot off the press, there is now an online store in the UK that supplies La Femme Blush/Eyeshadow Refills and Palettes! Woo hooooo Price is £3.50 per refill, here is the link, as you will see there is a huge selection of colours.
1st supplier is http://www.cocktailcosmetics.co.uk/. I have purchased from this site a few times in the past, the service is brilliant, Julie the lady that runs it is lovely and so helpful. My orders have always arrived straight away with no problems. Any queries I have ever had have been replied to promptly and very friendly.
2nd supplier is http://www.love-makeup.co.uk/, click here to go to the blushes link, blush refills cost £2.99, the empty palettes are available too. I have to say hand on heart that I have received the same excellent friendly customer service from this site too, the lady that runs it just so happens to be very lovely as well.
Both of these sites does the UK online beauty world proud with their amazing service.
I originally found these sites when trying to find limited edition Mac items. They have a great selection of products, including OCC lip tars, NYX etc.
I wish this had happened before I placed my order with makeupmania, which I'm still waiting to receive by the way.
I'm so happy to be able to pass on this news, it's fab now being able to get hold of these in the UK and from such lovely suppliers too.
Diane x
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