BeautyUK Midnight Minx NOTD

On Friday I posted about BeautyUK Midnight Minx but only included four out of the six shades available in the set.

Today I'm showing the fifth shade along with my favourite of the shatter polishes, the silver one.

The fifth shade is a gunmetal grey/graphic silver colour, one of the darker types of colour I just love. I like black too, but gunmetal just is more interesting don't you think? Under a bright light you can see tiny little multi-coloured glints within the polish so it's not just one dimensional. 

Unfortunately none of the shades are named, so I'm dubbing this one 'The Witching Hour'. 

Enjoy the pictures.

 I'm rocking my darker side.

Miami Pop Limited Edition Summer Lipgloss

Time for an update about the last of the Miami Pop Collection sent to me by the lovely Boots PR team. Having already covered the nail polishes and the Falsifeye Mascara it's now time for the Limited Edition Miami Pop Lip Gloss.

I love the colour of this lipgloss in the tube along with the blue flamingo, it really does make you think 'Summer', which is ideal as this is more of a summer colour.

It doesn't translate as hot pink on my lips, although it might be due to the fact my lips are highly pigmented naturally but it does give a very glossy, pinkness to my otherwise dark red lips.

You can really see the almost vinyl, shiny, effect of the lipgloss here, so shiny and not that sticky. Certainly a better texture than another lipgloss I've reviewed recently.

 Definitely a gloss for a summer outing.

Available from Boots for £3.99, how's that for a bargain?

BeautyUK Midnight Minx & Shatter Polishes

Another day another nail polish post; 

(Can you tell I'm making use of having nails before they all break off again?)

I purchased a set of BeautyUK polishes ages ago, just before my nails went through their awful stage, and I haven't been able to show them till now. 

That set was Midnight Minx, a set of six gorgeous, sultry dark colours and three shatter polishes. In this post I'm covering four of the more colourful ones of midnight minx and all three of the shatter polishes.

See how pretty they look.

 I've got to admit on first swipe of the Midnight Minx polishes I was a little disappointed, the colour was translucent and very streaky. But a second coat covered it up nicely and proved enough opaqueness to make these gorgeous shades. 

My favourite ones are the purple and green (no names I'm afraid) and although you can't see it from the photos there is a subtle shimmer/sparkle to the polishes.

Moving on to the shatter polishes, well, I am very disappointed in the hot pink one, it looks like it should do amazing things and provide a great contrast between the base colour and the pinkness of it. 

Alas it doesn't.

In the above photo I tried it out twice because I wasn't happy, first over blue and then over the red. Neither outcome made me happy.

The black shatter polish came out like you'd expect. Black and shattered.

My favourite though was the silver, firstly it is silver and secondly it creates a nice chunky shatter effect instead of a thin streaky affair which could be mistaken for badly applied polish.

Have you tried BeautyUK's polishes yet?
If not, then UK/Ireland people have a chance to win some in my giveaway.

OPI Extravagance from Glossybox

Anybody who got Junes Glossybox knows full well one of the items included was a sample OPI from the Designer Series. 

As the little info card inside the box said; 

"Perfect to set off your tan, OPI’s Designer Series Nail Lacquer comes in glittering, glamorous shades crowned with diamond dazzle for June. ’Coronation’ and ‘Extravagance’ are two amazing new colours from OPI’s New Designer Series. A spectacular diamond-dust formula, ultra-rich, and glimmering colours create an unmatched glamour for nails."

I, luckily for me, got the Mini Nail Lacquer in Extravagance a gorgeous sparkly purple hue as the Coronation shade was silver and I'm not a fan.

When the box arrived with the nail polish in I didn't have any nails to paint as they were in such bad repair from having acrylics on, but now I do have nails (insert yay here) and I have done a few photos to show the lovely colour of the polish.

When I say sample sized I mean 3.75ml sized (tiny)

 Oh so pretty..

I can say I'm loving the colour and sparkle of this polish however, I didn't like the consistency of it one bit, it was thick, gloopy and dragged like crazy. I've painted one hand only here, two coats like always. And to be honest I'm not sure I have enough to do the other hand.

Obviously I wasn't expecting to be able to paint the town purple with the mini, mini size of the bottle but I would have liked a better consistency considering the larger bottles are what, around £10.50 a bottle? 

Is it just minis that have awful consistency, is it O.P.I in general or did I get a duff one. 

Answers on a postcard please.

July's Empties and Project 10 Pan update.

Bit of a mixed post, my July empties and an update on Project 10 Pan. 

 So I've managed to finish the Palmolive bubble bath which was part of my project 10 pan along with the Tresemme shampoo. I had a little help with the shampoo as Mr Red took to using it once his had run out, I guess that's cheating but I don't care, it's finished, it's done, it's struck off my list.

The bubble bath I do love and have used before, but it's such a HUGE bottle it takes forever to use up and I'm not stingy when running a bath either. I'll probably use it again, in a smaller size and once all my other bath items have been used... only about 20 to go now.

Two items that weren't on my project 10 pan list are the Lancome Bi-Facil which I've reviewed before. And my YSL Touche Eclat in the limited edition casing from Christmas. (Note to self, buy more)

Xen-Tanning Virgin

Xen-Tan Transform Luxe

According to the Xen-Tan website 'even the fairest skin can enjoy a natural-looking tan,' that's me then.

The product is 'easy to apply, and with a gorgeous fresh fragrance, it goes on smoothly and fades evenly, for a flawless finish every time. Leaving you looking radiant and feeling amazing.' I agree with the first three statements, it is easy to apply, it does smell nice and it did go on smoothly.

Flawless, not so much. Maybe because I'm a self tanning virgin, but I did exfoliate and moisturise the night before I tanned. The day after applying the tan there wasn't much difference in my colour, just the faintest of colours enough to take the blinding whiteness off my legs but not a lot else.

Saying that I did use the Transform Luxe in Light/Med, just in case it went horribly wrong so I wasn't expecting to go dark. Plus this is one where you can build up the colour if you wish, but after seeing my knees and ankles I'm not to sure I want to. They are rather, jaundiced looking.

Could be my inexperience with self tanner mind but check these out;
Top of the pictures my ankle looking blotchy. The two below are the difference between my untanned arm (left) and my tanned legs (right).

Not a huge difference but like I say it did take the blinding whiteness from my skin, and with more practise I might even be less blotchy.
I would recommend Xen-Tan, it smells nice and is easy to apply but I would also recommend practise if like me you're a tanning virgin.

Rockalily Vintage Vixen.. My Precioussssss

Oooo my favourite little company Rockalily Lipstick has bought out limited edition lipsticks in Vintage Vixan and Rockalily Mermaid so of course I had to buy one in the form of Vintage Vixan, a gorgeous dusky rose.

And here it is... my little precious.

Below photo taken inside.

 Below photo taken in sunlight (we have some)

 Eick, my face with the lippie on.

 I love, love, LOVE Rockalily Lipsticks and I would recommend them wholeheartedly. 

You can find the normal range here.

I want: 24 Days of Luxuries

I've found something I want badly.

The Selfridges Exclusive 24 days of Luxuries Beauty Advent Calendar

Containing 

Set includes: Lancôme Bi–Facil 30ml, Lancôme Hydra Zen Neurocalm Cream SPF 15 15ml,
Lancôme Genifique 7ml, Trial Size
Lancôme Renergie Volumetry Cream 15ml, Lancôme Le Rouge Absolu BX Mini 06, Lancôme Mini Juicytube 17ml, Lancôme Miracle eau de parfum 5ml, Lancôme Tresor in Love eau de parfum 5ml, Lancôme Hypnôse Precious Cells 01 2ml, 
Lancôme Color Focus Duo 302 Trial Size, shu uemura Cleansing Oil 20ml, Kiehls Crème de Corps 30ml, Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream 7ml, Kiehls Ultimate Strength Hand Salve 30ml, Armani Diamond eau de parfum 5ml, Armani Fluid Sheer 5ml, Armani Fluid Master 5ml, Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara 2ml, Stella eau de parfum 5ml, Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb eau de parfum 7ml, YSL Parisienne eau de parfum 7.5ml,
YSL Opium eau de toilette 7.5ml,YSL Mini Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils N1 3ml,
YSL Mini Rouge Pur Shine shade 10

Did I mention I want this?

I've seen somewhere that the price will be £70. But don't quote me on that, I'm to busy drooling.


(above example from last year)

Liz Earle Energising Body Scrub-a-dub-dub

I am running behind on some of my reviews, bad me. 

But it's only because I want to make sure I've used it and really know the product before I post about it. Which is why its taken me a good few weeks to bring up the last goodie I received from the lovely Liz Earle PR team.

Liz Earle's Engergizing Body Scrub 

See all the lovely things in this product, damask rose flower water, sweet orange oil, 8 essential oils, vitamin E and ground olive stones.

And wow does it exfoliate.

As you can see it comes out of the tube as a gel with the olive stones suspended in it, but once you add water it creams up and spreads it's gritty goodness all over, obviously if you prefer your scrubs thick and hard to shift around for an intense exfoliation use less water.

The only thing I'm not 100% keen on is the scent, it is described as refreshing and invigorating and it may just be me, but I felt it smelt more medicinal, not unpleasantly so though. Saying that two of the essential oils used are Eucalyptus and Pine, which always smell medicinal to me. 

The product exfoliates super well leaving my skin all soft and glowing, although I would recommend body lotion or an anti cellulite cream (if you use such things) afterwards for extra loving.

Have you tried it?

Full Ingredients List:

Aqua (water), Decyl glucoside, Rosa damascena (rose) flower water, Olea europaea (olive) seed powder, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Acrylates copolymer, Jojoba esters, Tocopherol (vitamin E), Citrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) oil, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) oil, Pelargonium odoratissimum (geranium) oil, Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, Pogostemon cablin (patchouli) oil, Citrus aurantium amara (petitgrain) leaf oil, Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus) oil, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil, Pinus cembra sibirica (pine) oil, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Aspartic acid, Sodium chloride, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Methylisothiazolinone.

SPC Skincare Reviewed

A while ago I received a parcel from SPC Skincare containing a full sized Plant Collagen Night Cream, a full sized Shea Butter Complexion Mask and a mini sample of their Kiwi Complexion Scrub. And as I've been using the two full sized ones for some time now I thought it was time to post my opinions on them. (And the mini which was good for a couple of uses.)

First up the Shea Butter Complexion Mask.

According to SPC's website the;

 'Shea Butter Complexion Mask helps to revive tired-looking skin and maintain a healthy glow. Used as a weekly treatment, the mask removes excess oils, cleanses the pores and leaves the skin feeling firm and fabulous!

The Black Pepper in the mask, helps to stimulate the skin's circulation to improve the complexion and the Shea Butter nourishes and calms the skin. Combined with purifying Orange Oil, Kaolin and Bentonite clays to help release toxins from the skin, for a fresher and more youthful look.'

I found this a lovely mask to use, it is very thick and creamy and isn't one of those masks that dries solid on your face. I thought with it containing shea butter it would be to heavy for my combination/oily skin. But it really wasn't, once the mask had been on for its set time, then wiped off (using a damp muslin cloth as it is to thick to rinse off) my skin was nicely matte, but not dried out and felt very cared for.

It didn't break me out either which is fantastic as that was another concern considering there's Kaolin and Bentonite clay in it.. which draws out impurities and can sometimes cause break outs. Not so for me.

A lovely weekly treat, available from the SPC Skincare website.

Next up is the SPC Plant Collagen Night Cream.

Again according to the website this cream;

'Will help hydrate your skin whilst you sleep, leaving your skin looking radiant and feeling smooth. It is quickly absorbed and does not clog pores.
Packed with nutritious plant oils and herb extracts. Sea Fennel extract is a fantastic skin conditioner and skin toner, enzyme-rich Papaya, amino acids from Silk and Hyaluronic Acid, which helps plump the cushions of your skin. Also contains Sweet Almond Oil to help nourish and protects the skin from dehydration, Frankincense which is a fantastic anti-ageing ingredient to help smooth fine lines and Sweet Orange, which contains proven anti-ageing vitamins A and E to help brighten the skin, as well as soothing and healing Aloe and Chamomile.'

A very light gel textured night cream that is easily absorbed and non greasy, perhaps better for people with more mature skin as I didn't see a difference in my skin while I was using it but I don't really have lines, or saggy skin to firm up.

Again available from the SPC Skincare website and also from the Boots website.

Above are the swatches of the Night Cream (left) and the Facial Mask (right)

The Kiwi Complexion Scrub I didn't swatch as it was only a tiny sample. (And hard to photograph)

But I also really enjoyed using this, as the website states;

'A scrumptious and uplifting exfoliating scrub to brighten and revitalise the skin, leaving a fresh and decongested complexion. Rich in minerals, the key ingredients in this combination scrub are renowned for their anti-ageing properties.  The Kiwi seeds, fruit enzymes and Walnut help to gently exfoliate and decongest skin and superfood Pomegranate, renowned for its anti-oxidant properties, combine to leave the skin bright and beautiful.

TIP Leave the Kiwi Complexion Scrub on for a couple of extra minutes to allow the AHA’s and anti-oxidants to desquamate the dead skin cells and you’ll find your skin is left even smoother and more revitalised.

‘Restores texture and glow…you’ll be satin soft in seconds’ Glamour magazine.' 

Rated in Glamour, gets my vote too. 

My skin was left lovely and soft after use, although at first I didn't think it would provide a good 'scrubbing' as it didn't look gritty enough. It's a very loose cream formula with large black pips in (kiwi seeds) but also smaller less easy to see granules which do provide a good level of grittiness but without being harsh at all.

Available from the SPC Skincare website.

Sunday's Party Mode

On Sunday I went to a kids party then out for a meal and wine afterwards, and just to be different to my norm I decided to wear a maxi dress instead of my normal jeans and a top.

So here is my Outfit of Sunday.

Please excuse the slight blurriness it's hard to take photos of yourself in the mirror... (camera phone)

 

 

I picked up the dress and cropped cardigan from New Look, the dress is floor length on me, at six foot tall in bare feet. So I knew I had to have it.

I also spent a little time with my makeup and of course took photos to show the FOTD, or Face of Sunday.

 

Used for this FOTD

 No7 Lift & Luminate foundation in Alabaster & Estée Lauder Double Wear in Shell (the palest) Mixed.

Collection 2000 Concealer in the palest shade. 

MAC's Mineralize Blush in Daft Pink.

  L'Oreal's Volume Million Lashes, in Black.

 Too-Faced Natural Eye Palette.

17 Solo Glitter Eyeshadow in Style Queen.

17 Falsifeye Mascara

I received a nice little parcel from the lovely Boots PR team recently in the form of 17 Miami Pop goodies, their latest limited edition collection. I've already featured the nail polishes and I had a lot of interest in the Falsifeye Mascara. 

(My PR mascara is in a black casing, I think the ones in the shops are in pink casing to match the rest of the collection)

So now after using it for a while I can share a few thoughts with you.

The mascara tube is quite chunky, fits in your hand well and is slightly squared off so it won't roll away (hooray) the wand itself isn't to my liking to be honest, it's big and well messy I'd have to say.

 The mascara seems to come out of the tube clumped on the wand already, I had to wipe it a few times to clear it up enough for this photo. It makes it a bit fussy and messy to apply.

Or it could be I've been spoilt with the built in 'de-clumper' on my current favourite mascara L'oreal Volume Million Lashes (go compare the wands)

 But all things said and done, once you clear off the clumps and get to using it, it does do a nice job on my lashes as you can see below. The mascara is black not grey and it does pick up every lash.

The below photo was using two coats of mascara, and look at my upper waterline. The brush is a tad to big for a neat job, you have to use it slowly to avoid the same look on your eyelids. Not one for applying in a rush.

£6.49 from Boots.

Happy Pictures

Taking a leaf out of Fee's book over at Makeup Savvy I've been browsing my collection of pictures that make me feel happy, or at least feel a bit bitter sweet. 

(all the pictures were previously collected from online but it's been a while so I can't link them)

1950's Fashion (insert sigh here) oh how I wish I could have worn these clothes, and look like these illustrations. Even the children in the last picture look a darn sight nicer, politer, happier than brats of today... or am I reading to much into a drawing?

When I was growing up I read a lot of the Chalet School books.... set around about the 40/50s plus a lot of Enid Blyton's written around about then.. plus other stories all illustrated with fashions of the time. And oh how I loved those books and I loved the pictures and I wanted to go to the Chalet School and be like the girls there, wearing these clothes and living their (fantastical) lives.

It was not to be, so it's a slight bitter sweet picture collection....

Jemma Kidd Lipgloss

Jemma Kidd Makeup School lipgloss, remember this one?

Came free in Red magazine, at least I think it was Red. I went for the Coral colour because I thought it looked the most summery.

And it does look gorgeous, in the tube.

 On my lips though it barely shows through, might be because my lips are highly coloured anyway. Plus it felt very gloopy, very sticky and rather unpleasant.

Not sure I'd go out of my way to buy this again and I'm pretty glad I got it free.

Anybody tried any other Jemma Kidd makeup?

OOTD Dressing Younger

Outfit of the Day, Dressing Younger.

This weekend I don't feel quite so old looking as I did last weekend, where I felt I looked as old as I actually am plus mumsy just to make me feel really down.

This weekend I decided to go for a top Mr Reds mum got me from Hollister along with my trusty black jeans... can't go far wrong with black in my opinion.

Don't mind the funny angles my arms are at, I have to take pictures of myself without the aid of a tripod as I've only a camera phone, oh and the 'white glow' is light from the window. We have sun at long last. And the purple tinsel is from Christmas, it decorates my mirror now...

 

 

I'm not a super trendy person so I'm afraid I have no funky, vintage, cute jewellery to show off.. but I'll let you see my bag.

Not a photo I've taken because I'm to lazy to get up again, but I have a Marc B Primrose Hill bag in purple.