Clinique: Supermoisture Make-up

So the other day I decided to buy some of this in the Debenhams 10% beauty deal. I have really dry skin and I find in the colder weather, that it's almost impossible to wear foundation because they're either not moisturising enough, or they cling to the really dry parts of my face. It retails at £21 but I got it for £18.50ish. It claims to be a sheer-medium coverage and it has a slight shimmer to it, but nothing really OTT. I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like on properly. I'm a little unhappy with the size, given the price tag, but other reviews say a little goes a long way! Fingers crossed.

Thanks for reading!

-Grace-

Topshop Makeup Buys.

Top-Bottom: Topshop Velvet Underground Nail Polish (£5), Topshop Glow Highlighter (£9)

I love Velvet Underground so much! It looks very pretty in the light, although in the dark it looks pretty much black, that's ok though. I have some on in the picture but it was very hard to photograph in these light conditions, so I didn't bother. It's a very deep violet colour and I can't express how much I like it, even though my favourite colour is purple so perhaps I'm biased.

The second thing I bought was the creamy highlighter from Topshop. I've been reading more and more about the importance of highlighting and I have previously used Benefit's 'High Beam, so wanted to try someting new. I have done a tester on the back of my hand and it's lovely and subtle with just the right amount of shimmer. I hesitated at the till actually and the woman behind the counter told me that the people who make Topshop makeup range, are actually the same people that make MAC makeup and a few other high end brand. It kind of convinced me that the £9 I was paying was really worth it!

Anyone else tried either of these products?

-Grace-

Real Techniques: Core Collection

EEE I'm a lucky lady! Chris has bought me these and I'm very excited to try them out, after all the good things I've been hearing. Watch this space for a post about them!

-Grace-

Why I won't be using John Frieda's 'Go Blonder' Shampoo/Conditioner, again.

*Image taken from Google

If I could, I would use both of these products again. They make my hair so soft and really bring out my natural highlights (not that I'm vain enough to say I have many!). I haven't dyed my hair now in about a year and a half, after going from purple to red to almost black. I eventually decided enough was enough and I wanted my natural colour back, so with that I made the fatal mistake of doing a 'Colour-B4' job...oh jeez. I appreciate that 'Colour-B4' may have worked really well for some people, but it cost me £100 to get my hair rectified after using it. Not only that, it stinks of rotten eggs. So ladies and gentlemen pretty please, think hard before you decide to DIY, I would highly recommend letting a pro do it for you. 

Anyway back to the point. Over a few months my hair gradually started to grow out back to its natural colour and I think it helped that when I got my hair stripped, I opted for the non-bleaching method. This meant that my hair (fortunately) was left in a good condition. I started to use John Frieda's 'Go Blonder' when I went on a little holiday with my boyfriend Chris last year and was genuinely impressed with the results. I felt like my natural colour could do with bit of help and my hair felt shinier and softer after use. However, I started to wonder why I was getting acne type lumps and bumps on my face. If I'm honest, I thought it was just my skin being silly because it's prone to being really sensitive. Until a recent post by a lady on Blogger, I was completely unaware that it could have been my shampoo. She said it contained a type of gentle bleaching agent and as soon as I read that it was all making sense. I have stopped using both shampoo and conditioner and since doing so, the recent blotches on my face have (I think/hope), started to clear up. I think it's a shame because both products are fantastic, but they're just too chemically for my poor skin! If you're thinking about using these products then just have a little think harder if you have sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts of any kind.

Anyone else had similar problems with these?

-Grace-

Film Review: In to the Wild.

For those of you who don't know, my favourite film(s) is Lord of The Rings. I'm a geek when it comes to films and yes I was uber excited about the long awaited arrival of the first Hobbit installment! This film however comes very close and I could watch it countless times.

I was at home one evening and this film came on Film 4 at about 10:30pm. I wasn't going to watch it actually but it was one of those scenarios when you can't quite be bothered to go to bed yet and you know there's nothing else on any other channel. I ended up staying up and watching it all and a few days later buying the DVD, I enjoyed it that much.

Based on a true story and on the book, this film focuses on a young man called Christopher Johnson McCandless (A.K.A Alexander Supertramp) and follows his journey on finding and living a life of solitude- in the Alaskan wilderness. We see the people he meets a long the way and the effect they have on him. We see why he made the decisions he made and what influenced this life choice and journey. It is such a moving film, not depressing, just really moving. I remember almost crying at one (ok, several) scenes, but I'm going to leave it to yourselves to see. The soundtrack is thought provoking, uplifting and inspring and for that we have Eddie Vedder to thank- I am even going to recommend buying the soundtrack. Really people, give this film a go. It's not particularly old (2007) and it's just fantastic. You'll wonder why it's taken you this long to watch it.

-Grace-

My favourite Journal.

Oh Comely.

I subscribed to this lovely journal about a year ago after a friend showed me it. It's such a beautiful magazine and I will definitely be re-subscribing when this subscription is up. I love the layout and the pictures and I find that look forward to getting to the end of it (unusual I know), because it has cute little games to do like 'Take the quiz to find out what vegetable you would be'. It's not for everyone, but being quite artistically minded I just find it so lovely to look at and read. It has gorgeous illustrations and photographs in, interviews, recipes, games, fashion advice, life advice in general and various other things. I really recommend picking one up from WHSmith (£4) or any arty-journal shops. You won't regret it, it's the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea and (if you're like me), several biscuits. I find I actually take care of them, it's not like a normal magazine, they're nice to look back over and I think I have about 6 or 7 now to do that with, which is nice.

Does anyone else read any similar journals?

-Grace-

My favourite dry shampoo.

Batiste 'Cherry' Dry Shampoo.

This has got to be my favourite dry shampoo EVER. I think it's largely down to the packaging, I love the sort-of vintage look to the can. Anyway if you haven't tried this yet I urge you to buy it. I think it was around the £2.50 mark from Boots which is a decent price and it's smells so lovely! It does a great job of reviving your hair and I often find that my hair looks shinier on a dry shampoo day, than on a 'just washed' day. These dry shampoo days are very rare for me because I am a hair washing sinner and I wash it everyday, usually. But for when I don't, this is the go to product for me!

-Grace-

Clarins 'One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser'

This stuff is fantastic and I couldn't recommend it more! Please excuse the 2nd picture of my post-cleanse face- eek, but I wanted to demonstrate what it does. It's a very gentle exfoliator and smells delish too, which is always handy. I rub this on my face (avoiding eyes) in a circular motion for a minute or two and then rinse and wash my face as normal. My skin feels so much cleaner and healthier once I've used this and as you might be able to see, it gives you a bit of a radient glow! I'm not sure what it retails at as it was a gift, but if you're feeling a bit of a splurge coming on I'd recommend putting this in your basket!

Anyone recommend any other facial exfoliators?

-Grace-

H&M Find

I have a sliiiiight obsession with skulls, anchors & swallows. This ranges from bedding, to dresses, to scarves, handbags and all sorts...it's probably unhealthy! Nevertheless I found this little beauty in H&M today and couldn't resist. I don't like things that are tight fitting so if Gok Wan ever came to peek at my clothes, he wouldn't be happy because everything has 'a bit of give', shall we say. It's always been the case and it's honestly down the fact I think people can see too much of me when something's a bit clingy and I'm very self concious. Anyway, I love the lace skull on the front and the jumper is really comfy so if you like things like this go get! It was £12.99.

Anyone else have any unhealthy obsessions with things? Or is it just me? :)

-Grace-

Boots No7 Classic Rose Lipstick

So I got this lipstick just after christmas in a free gift box, along with an eyeshadow, eyeliner & mascara! It was the best free gift I've ever received.It was a 'Buy 2 No7 beauty products and get a free gift worth £20'. I was unsure about wearing the lipstick because I've never been a big lipstick fan, but this has totally changed my mind. It lasts for AGES. Even when you drink it still stays on and it's not sticky. I think it's a really subtle colour and I don't feel like it's too garish when I wear it either. I'd quite like to try some other No7 lipsticks now, although I've read some great reviews on Mac lipsticks so perhaps that will be next...!

-Grace-

A little about Me!

So seen as how I am very new to all this, I thought I'd just do a post to say a little bit about me and perhaps introduce myself to the blogger world!

* I am currently in the final stages of a Fine Art degree.

* I work part-time at Next.

* I enjoy nature photography and I am currently on the save for a new camera.

* I have a little black car called 'Wilbert Winklestein' ...don't laugh!

* I say I have willpower not to spend money, but it's not true!

* I can't lie, I love soaps. Including Neighbours and Home and Away!

* I can't draw and this can be exemplified through the appalling life drawings I once had to do. 

* I can't go to bed with make-up on, ever. The thought of it makes me squirm. 

There's a bit more to me than this, honest! Just thought I'd give you a few random facts about myself.

:)

-Grace-

Mac Foundation Review

So this is what my face looked like before and after applying Mac's 'Studio Fix Fluid'. Please excuse the shoddy blusher...I resemble a clown I know!

My skin is phenomenally dry in the winter and I was dubious when I first applied this because I was worried it might make my skin even dryer. However, I have found that since using it along with my Clinique SPF25 moisturiser, it has gone on much better. Previously I had been using a different (less thick, but still really good) Clinique moisturiser and found that the dry areas of my face were quite flakey. I always apply moisturiser and Clarins Beauty Flash Balm and then foundation for anyone wondering whether or not I used a primer. I would recommend this foundation to anyone really, as it goes on really well and it generally covers any blemishes I want it to cover (which is always good). I find it has a slightly matte finish so it would be great for anyone with quite oily skin?

Anyone else use this?

-Grace-

Mojito Cakes!

One thing I love to do, is bake. I could bake all day everyday and I am enjoying experimenting with different recipes more and more.

This little beauty is a Mojito cake I made and I must admit they tasted lovely. I've only recently started to like lemony things or citrus flavours in general, so it came as a surprise to me that I actually liked them! I was making them for my Mum, so I wasn't expecting to eat one at all! The  sponge was actually better when the cake was a day or two old, as it gained not only more moisture but more flavour too. So I think to anyone thinking of making them, bare that in mind- better a day or two old. I think they're a must-make cake on anyone's list if you were perhaps looking for something new and I'm even sure you could replace the rum with something else if you wanted to (although it is only a small amount of rum). 

Below is the recipe I used- Courtesy of Hummingbird Cake Days

Sponge

 100ml White Rum

170g Caster Sugar

40g Unsalted Butter (softened)

120g Plain Flour

1/4 Tsp Salt

1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder

1 Tsp Finely Grated Lemon Zest

1 Tsp Finely Grated Lime Zest

1 Tbsp Chopped Mint

1 Large Egg

120ml Whole Milk

1/2 Tsp Vanilla Essence

Frosting

80g Unsalted Butter (softened)

250g Icing Sugar

1/4 Tsp Finely Grated Lemon Zest

1/4 Tsp Finely Grated Lime Zest

4Tsp whole Milk

4 Tsp White Rum

1 Tbsp Caster Sugar

1 Tsp Grated Lime Zest or Finely Chopped Mint to Decorate

Hope you all enjoy!

-Grace-

First blog post: Products I'm loving at the moment.

Top: Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

L-R: Dior Palette, Clinique 'Dramatically different moisturising lotion', Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Urban Decay Naked 2

This palette is honestly amazing. I have never been a big eyeshadow user but decided to purchase this from Debenhams (£36) after hearing so many good things about it. As I have just said the palette retails at £36, but I got it for £1 because I hadn't realised how many beauty club points I had AND I had a Love2Shop voucher. Absolute steal I know...! Anyway, since getting this I've used it pretty much everyday. I love the neutral colours and the way you can you create all sorts of different looks for day or night. I particularly like 'verve' and 'YDK' and if you're thinking about purchasing this don't think, just buy! Worth every penny.

Dior Palette

Cheesy as this sounds, I have a lot of time for this palette. It comes with (what I would assume), is a brow highlighter, a gold/bronze eyeshadow, 2X lip glosses, a mirror and an eyeliner. This is another product I have been using almost everyday, the eyeshadows and eyeliner last all day and look really nice on. I don't know how much this retails at, as it was a gift, but it comes with everything you need and is definitely worth having a look for if you're gliding past a Dior counter one day!

Clinique Moisturiser

I have VERY dry skin and this moisturiser has been a god send in these winter times. I know how expensive the moisturiser alone is (roughly £30), but I can honestly say it is worth the price tag it comes with. Since using this product I've noticed a dramatic difference in my skin. It appears brighter and softer and if I could afford to part with the money, I would definitely get again. I would recommend using the moisturiser along with the cleanser and the toner too.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

First of all, I'm sure I'm not the only person who has a lot of time for this product. Flash balm is an after moisturiser primer and brightens and tightens your skin along the way. It can also be used as a face mask, but I've yet to try that out! This is yet another product I've been using everyday, because it really does do everything is says on the tube. I don't wear a very heavy foundation, not because my skin is anything to write home about, just because I don't like the feel of a heavy coverage foundation. However, it really holds what makeup I do wear, all day and leaves your skin feeling fresh and soft, even after a long day. I couldn't recommend Flash Balm enough, it comes at a pricey £28 for a single tube, but a little really does go a long way and this is something I will definitely be re-purchasing when it finally all gets used!

Thanks for reading my first post everyone. if it's a bit bit vague or you have any suggestions for me, please let me know! 

-Grace-