Haul / Boots pt.1

Ok - so I went a bit overboard in Boots last month but I haven't actually shopped in Boots since November (I've been religiously compiling a list, waiting for the 3for2 offers to start).

I had to split the haul in 2 posts... here we start:

Essie Nail Polish in On A Silver Platter - I don’t even like glitter polishes but I just couldn’t resist this prettiness! It looks silver in the bottle but it's actually gold, when it catches the light; the description says 'violet holographic glitter' but they seem pretty blue to me. In any case, it's beautiful and I bet it will look stunning as an accent on the tip of the nails... can't wait to play with it.

Invisibobble traceless hair ring in Brown - oh yeah, I can’t resist a good gimmick ;) I think they work alright and look pretty. You can do a loose ponytail but can't really go around more than twice (I think they may snap), so couldn't really use them at the gym, for example. Something I wanted to try but I'm not sure that I would buy them again - they feel a bit fragile. Have you tried them?

I bought the Revlon by Marchesa Nail Art 3D Jewel Appliques in Royal Burgundy specifically  to wear them with an outfit for an event (link); I’m usually not a big fan of nail wraps since you basically get a single use out of them and they are outrageously overpriced. These are a beautiful pattern but they lasted nothing! I experienced major tip wear in less than 48hrs. I have a few spare ones left so I’ll try and add a top coat and see if it makes any difference…. Very disappointing! :(

I was actually looking for the Real Techniques Retractable Kabuki Brush but I could not find it anywhere in store or online (in Boots). 

I bought the Real Techniques Blush Brush, instead; I meant to add it to my collection at some point anyway. No complaints: it’s just as dreamy as the other RT brushes that I own. It’s truly fantastic to apply powder blush and super soft.

Bourjois Poudre de Riz de Java - first of all, I love the packaging and the scent (the typical baby powder, like the blushes). 

I think it’s a lovely loose powder! Although it looks pretty sparkly, I can safely use it all over the face lightly and it keeps me shine-free all day; I don’t find it to work as an highlighter on me but definitely add radiance to my complexion.

If you read my end of the year mascaras reviews (link), you’ll know that I’ve been replacing all my old mascaras like a good girl. ;)

There’s too much choice around!!! I was set on a Maybelline one and picked up the Maybelline Volum'Express the Colossal Cat Eyes kind of randomly; some people hate it, some people love it… I liked the look of the wand… I shall let you know I get on.

The second part will be up in a few day - Have you tried any of these products yourself? What is your experience?

Don't forget to enter the Spring Giveaway! :)

Shopping My Stash / #8 + Giveaway Reminder!!!

Another week, another shopping my stash!

For the base I used Stila One Step Correct Brightening Serum and Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation in 42 vanilla - both favourites of mine. The primer is not oily or heavy and the foundation gives a beautiful, flawless finish to the skin. My skin has been oilier than usual lately so I'm really taking care to use a powder to set - Mac Mineralize SkinFinish Natural in medium is a trusty ally that never looks cakey.

I've also been in the mood for bold red lips so I used a combination of Mac Marilyn Monroe Lipstick in scarlet ibis and Maybelline Baby Lips in cherry me to top up the moist, throughout the day.

I chose Mac Sheertone Blush in blushbaby which is the perfect 'neutral' blush but with a red/brick undertone to tie with the lips perfectly.

I like big & bright eyes with a red lip - I used the Nars Trio Eyeshadow in ramatuelle and built up the lashes with Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Building Base Mascara and Pur Minerals Big Blink Mascara. I thickened the top lashline with Bourjois Intuitive liner and added Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Line in nude to further open the eyes.

***Giveaway Reminder - enter here***

Shopping My Stash / #6

I've been trying the Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm this week but I've to say that I'm disappointed; it doesn't seem to improve the appearance of my skin or prolong make up longevity and smells funny too. :(
I applied a thin layer of Becca Luminous Skin Colour in cashmere that is the best matching base that I've ever had, shade-wise; I then added extra coverage with Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 in real sand.

On the cheeks another Becca product: Shimmering Skin Perfector in opal, which I reckoned better using it now, since it's a bit too dark for winter months; I also added a bit of colour on the apple of my cheeks with Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in cherub, which is the perfect pink for without adding any redness to the skin.

Prepped the eyes with the one & only Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and used the gray and green shades from the Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel palette. 
I also got the chance to try a couple of products that my sister donated to me: Pupa Made To Last Eyes in 201, which is a gorgeous brown eye pencil with gold shimmer that does not budge!
Then I used the Collistar - a brand that I adore and I raved about plenty here - Eyeshadow Luminous Powder in 4 to add light to the inner corner.
Finally, lips were quite bright with Naj Oleari Affinity Lipstick in 78 - total dupe for Ysl Fuchsia in Rage.

Shopping My Stash / #5

Still pretty keen with mineral foundation lately - I find that the Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF30 + Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF15 in real sand are the perfect combo!

For the base, I also used Stila One Step Correct Colour Corrector to even out skintone and Topshop Blush in butterscotch as an highlighter. I hit pan!!! I don't think it has ever happened before - I do love this item and I will have to limit the usage now, since I think it's discontinued. :(

Finally added a touch of Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Blusher in 54 peony which is an iced pink and cool toned.

For the eyes I went with this FOTD look, using Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeshadow Stick in 003 Bad Girl Bronze on the upper lid and Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in 014 Bright Blue on the bottom; I like the motorized brush of the Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara but I think it's a bit drying and hard to remove.

The lip were effortlessly simple with 100% Pure Lip Glaze in peach bellini.

What have you been wearing lately? :)

FOTD / Purple Eyes

Face: Me me me Seventh Heaven primer / Benefit Hello Flawless foundation in honey / Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in medium / Maybelline Bouncy Dream Bouncy blush in 60 coffee cake

Eyes: Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo in 40 permanent taupe / L'Oreal Chrome Intensity eyeshadow in 180 purple obsession / Pur Minerals Big Blink mascara / Bourjois Intuitive Liner

Lip: Lancome L'Absolu Nu lipstick in 101

FOTN / Urban Decay Theodora Palette

Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Deauville, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Mac Mineralized SkinFinish in soft & gentle, Guerlain Meteorites Perles in 01 teint rose', YSL Blush Radiance in 02;

Eyes: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Urban Decay Oz the Great and Powerful Theodora Palette (west, beware, spell), Revlon GrowLuscious Lashliner in expresso, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;

Lips: L'Oreal Rouge Caresse Lipstick in 301 dating coral, Mac Archie's Girls Lipglass Lipgloss in kiss & don't tell.

Mini Haul

I've been intrigued by the Konad Stamping Nail Sets for a while but not enough to order a kit, I suppose.

Then, I read on a couple of blogs that a cheaper version had been spotted in Poundland recently so I went and got myself a chance at trying nail stamping, too - *exciting times*

I got to say it's quite fun and dead simple - I was worried the designs would be too cheesy but they are cute and wearable. Only criticism: some of the patterns are too big for my short nails so just need to adapt or use part of them.

Anyway, I'm glad I bought it - I'm definitively having some fun and getting creative. 

Rimmel 053 Apricot Punch - Bourjois no.17

I got this necklace in Primark - impulse buy but no question at £2. I like the native americans/tribal vibe with the feather and the turquoise and the rose gold heart is a nice addiction, too. 

FOTD - Grey eyeshadows

top/bottom, left/right: ysl stain, nars blush, pure kajal, nars shadow, chanel shadow

Face: Laura Mercier Radiance Foundation Primer, Make Up For Ever HD Foundation in 117 , Nars Blush in Sin, St Tropez Skin Illuminator in Violet;
Eyes: Chanel Ombres Perlees de Chanel palette (dark grey), Nars Ramatuelle palette (silver grey), Pure Kajal in grey, Bourjois Volume Fast & Perfect mascara;
Lips: Ysl Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 17.

Empties / January

***

Sanctuary Mandelular Sensuous Bath Creme - I've been loving this scent for years and years and I keep re-buying it.

Very comforting, ideal for a relaxing bubble bath and fills the bathroom for hours; but because it's so strong, I need to take 'breaks' from using it otherwise I would get sick of it. I actually bought this bottle last Christmas and I have just finished it now. Also, very moisturising on the skin.

Re-purchase: Absolutely!  

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - Yes, I also got sucked into the hype around this product. It started well but the foam inside started to break after few uses... not sure if my bottle was faulty but not impressed!

I decided to finish it to take off my Christmas glitter polish but is definitely time for the bin now.

Re-purchase: Nope.

Renu Age Defence Balm SPF15 - this tiny sample lasted a week, actually.... maybe because it's pretty thick to be an hand cream.  Really like the smell and the fact that it has spf.

Re-purchase: Maybe.

MonuSpa Enriched Body Cream - again pretty small sample but first impression not too good: left a greasy residue on my skin. Smells lovely, tho.

Re-purchase: No.

Vinies Luminous Skin Mask - when this mask was sent in a beauty box, last year, many people didn't like it so I was able to grab few pots in swaps. I just finished the last one and - oh my god- I still love love love this mask! It does leave your skin red after use, but nothing terrifying in my experience... plus the results are incredible. The skin feels soft and purified and in fact I also used it as a pre-wedding treatment.

Re-purchase: Yes.

Boots Aqua Balance Hydrating Eye Cream - I bought this cream ages ago but then just put it at the back of the drawer, whilst trying other products. I decided it was time to finish it off and am I glad it's over! I can't say I enjoyed using it  - in fact I didn't even bother cutting up the tube to use every little drop. It did nothing for my eye area and, although it says it's for dry skin, I didn't think it was particularly moisturizing, either.

Repurchase: Definitely not!

Neutrogena Multi-Defence Night Moisturiser - pretty ordinary, inexpensive night cream but one of the best i have used - in fact my current favourite! It looks a bit thick and white when first applied but it sinks really well and it's the perfect amount of hydration for my needs. I highly recommend it!

Re-purchase: Yes.

Have you tried any of these products before?
What do you think?
xxx

FOTD - New Lanark World Heritage Site

Face: Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup Foundation Spf15 in 4, Stila One Step Primer, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder DoubleWear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Benefit Sun Beam, Benefit Bella Bamba;

Eyes: Kiko Water Eyeshadow in 202, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, Clinique Bottom Lash mascara, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Bourjois Intuitive Liner;

Lips: Ysl Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in 12.

FOTD - Roller Derby

... went to the roller derby... was pretty cool! :)

Face: Benefit PoreFessional, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum in 52 Vanilla, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in pink, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 07 warm light, Neal's Yard Remedies Mineral Blusher in 54 peony, Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Brightening Nudes, Mac Mineralize SkinFinish in Soft & Gentle;

Eyes: Mac Paint Pot in Painterly, Urban Decay eyeshadows in Roach & Breathless, Benefit Eye Bright, Kiko Building Base mascara, Ellis Faas mascara;

Lips: Ted Baker lip pen.

Birthday Giveaway *CLOSED*

Few days ago was my birthday... so It's a perfect excuse to run another giveaway, right? ;)

Prize content:

- Bourjois 1 Second Gloss nail polish in 15 Grenadine Tonic

- Vivo Trio Eyeshadow Palette in Bronze Me Up

- Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Mistress

- Kiko False Lashes Concentrate Volume Top Coat Mascara

Rules:

- must be a follower GFC (if you don't have GFC, Bloglovin' is fine)

- leave a comment below with your email address

Extra Entries:

- follow me on Twitter @fashion_olic (+1) ---> button on the side

- Tweet about the giveaway (+1)

- follow me on HelloCotton (+1) ---> button on the side

- Blog about the giveaway/link back to this post on your blog (+2)
- if you follow GFC, you can get an extra entry following Bloglovin' too (+1)

***N.B.: only 1 COMMENT with all the entries - Thank you***

Giveway is open internationally and It will be closed on 13th November 2012 @ noon Uk time.

Winner will be picked with random.org

Thanks for entering and Good Luck!!!

xxx

FOTD - Ramatuelle

Face: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation in 3.0, Giorgio Armani Master Corrector in Pink, Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 07 Warm Light, Benefit Moon Beam, Bourjois Blush in 33 Lilas D'Or, Urban Decay Afterglow in Crush;

Eyes: Nars Ramatuelle Palette, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast mascara, L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara, Bourjois Intuitive Liner;

Lips: Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Party Alice (this lipstick makes my lips look huuuuuge!!!)

Superdrug Mini Haul

Last week, I was browsing in Boots and Superdrug and weirdly enough I couldn't find anything exciting to buy... still, I managed to pick up two things from Bourjois.

Bourjois Intuitive Liner

Intrigued by the Clarins 3-Dot Liner which came out recently, but no way I was going to spend 20quid on it; luckily enough Bourjois came out with a dupe in a matter of weeks.

umm, not sure - it, definitely, has some cons and pros.

Let's star with the cons: it's not a really deep dark black and it's very wet liner.

In fact, it takes a while to dry but it doesn't bleed as much on the eyelid, compared to the swatch on my hand.

Pros: it's very easy to use and definitely faster. It's just perfect to line the inner upper lashline and the lower lashline.

I like the effect - it adds depth and definition to the eye but at the same time is subtle.

It is worth a try, in my opinion, for this price... personally, I wouldn't spend the £20 but then again, I haven't tried the Clarins one so I don't know how they compare.

Bourjois 10 Day Nail Polish in #17

I don't need another nail polish for sure and I wasn't looking for one but then this colour caught my eyes because it looked pretty similar to Chanel Suspicious that just came out - yeah, definitely close enough for me!

I hadn't tried this range before and I thought the brush was a bit tricky to use (the square cap is not the easiest to grab) but the colour did last well for a whole week and the coverage is pretty amazing too; the swatch below is only 1 coat (pardon my cuticles, I had just finished the dishes :))

Any suggestion on what to use my points in Boots?? :)
xxx