Fragrance Direct Wishlist

Hello lovelies,

Let me first start by saying that this post is in no way affiliated with Fragrance Direct, I just really love their site. If you're not familiar with Fragrance Direct, it's a website that sells all things beauty related at bargain prices. Without further ado, here are my fabulous Fragrance Direct finds:

Giorgio Armani Si Gift Set 50ml - £57.99

Every time I go into Sephora, I always spritz myself with this. It's expensive but the gift set option is great, it smells so mature, yet modern. It makes me feel all grown up and sophisticated. 

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque 250ml - £10.99 

This has been on my wishlist forever and a day. My hair is really in a state at the moment and is in desperate need of some nourishment. 

Rimmel 60 Second Nail Polish 8ml - £0.99

If you're an avid reader of my blog, then you'll already know just how much I love Rimmel and especially the formula for this polish. And at less than a pound per polish, you really can't go wrong.

L'Oreal Colour Infallible Eyeshadow 3.5g - £1.50

There's been so much chatter about these little pots, especially the shade Cranberry but I'd probably go for the shade bronze goddess, it would work so well with greeny blue eyes.

OPI Nail Lacquer 15ml - £3.99

I love OPI nail varnishes but can never bring myself to pay their full RRP. I'm particularly after Excuse Moi, it's a gorgeous multi coloured glitter with a red base from the Muppets Collection 2011. I'm not too bothered if the polish comes from a previous collection, I pick based on the shade. 

Just until 9am tomorrow morning, Fragrance Direct are offering an extra 10% off gift sets when you use the code GIFTSET10, making it the perfect time to grab those last minute gifts. 

Have you done a Fragrance Direct Haul recently?

Review: L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Micellar Solution

Hello lovelies,

I was in two minds whether to review this, as everyone and their dog has tried it and there has been so many reviews of it flying around. But I thought I'd add my tuppence for what it's worth, L'Oreal Micellar Solution is the very first micellar water that I've tried, I've been toying with the idea of buying Bioderma to do a comparison. Let me know if you beauties are interested in that!

In case you've completely missed the bandwagon. a micellar solution is simply a very light fluid which feels like water but is designed to effectively dissolve makeup, unclog pores and tone without causing any irritation. Unlike other makeup removers, a micellar solution is non-greasy and removes makeup rather than moving it around your face. Supposedly your skin should feel soft, moisturised and toned after using it but is that really the case?

I think I picked this up in Superdrug on an introductory offer, and at the time, it was causing quite a stir in the beauty world as it's considerably cheaper than Bioderma and easier to get hold of. I tend to use this as a pre-cleanse, I squirt a bit onto a cotton wool pad and sweep it over my face. It does a good job at removing and dissolving the face makeup but when it comes to eyes, I'm sorry to say it let me down. I found it left residue and although I do wear waterproof eyeliner, this is designed to be 3-in-1 and I shouldn't have to use another product. Saying that, I always cleanse, tone and moisturise after using the micellar water, so it's not really a biggy for me, maybe I'm just too picky?

The micellar solution doesn't have much of a scent (well to me anyway), but that makes sense as it's marketed as being suitable for sensitive skin, which is always an added bonus. My skin always feels clean after using this but I can't help finding it slightly drying. My only other niggle is the top, I find you end up squirting it all over as the hole is just too big...I'm getting into dodgy territory, so moving on... 

I suppose my review is a mixed bag, I'd recommend it to someone who is looking for a quick and easy makeup remover or something to pre-cleanse with but personally, I wouldn't use it on it's own. That's just my personal preference.

You can find the L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution in Boots and Superdrug for £4.99, and both stores currently have offers - 3 for 2 and £3.32 respectively, which is great for anyone who wants to stock up.

 Have you tried L'Oreal's answer to micellar water?

August Haul

Hello lovelies,

So I sort of went shopping again... I know, I know. I was meant to be on a saving mission but I'd had my eye on these for a long time and they were all on one type of offer or another, they just landed in my basket and I accidentally paid for them.

It does look like loads but this lot came to under £30!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution 200ml : £2.48 (normally £4.99)

Urban Fudge Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray : £2.47 (normally £4.99)

H20 Plus Aqualibrium Marine Toner : £2.00 (these were on clearance in M&S but are normally £14)

Revlon Nail Art Moon Candy in Orbit : 2 for £10 (normally £7.99)

Simple Kind to Eye Balm : £2.66 (normally £3.99)

Revlon Lash Potion Grow Luscious Mascara Black Waterproof : 2 for £10 (normally £9.99)

Nuxe Anti Imperfection Care: £5 (normally £19.50 but on clearance in M&S)

Nuxe Anti-Shine Fluid : £5 (normally £19.50 but on clearance in M&S)

H20 Plus Face Oasis Shine Neutralising Gel : £2 (normally £27.50)

Told you they were bargains! I can't wait to try these out.

Have you picked up any bargain beauty recently?

June Favourites

Hello lovelies,

The end of the month has rolled around once again, how quick is this year going?! I've only got a few products to show you, there hasn't really been much that I've been like wow... I can't wait to tell you about that. I finally settled on five products from my stash that I've been enjoying for a long time or rediscovered this month.

Soap & Glory Cheekmate - £8

I already reviewed this earlier, so won't go into too much detail but it  really adds a beautiful natural looking flush of colour. And it stays put all day.. Review - here.

Ren Invisible Pores Detox Mask - £16.20

I've really been getting into face masks recently, I've had a terrible breakout on my chin and this seems to calm my skin and reduce some of the redness. It's designed for oily/combination skin, so suits me perfectly and doesn't dry out my skin. 

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara - £9.35

I really love this! I've been using it for the past 4-5 months and at first I wasn't keen. I found it clumped my lashes together but after the formula had dried out a bit, my love affair began. I have long lashes to start with but this gives them an extra boost, length and volume wise. It might not be everyone's cuppa tea, it can sometimes leave your lashes a little bit spidery but I quite like that look.

Tresemme Liquid Gold Perfecting Treatment - £6.99

I'm on to my second bottle of this now, I went through a phase where I completely stopped using this, it just wasn't doing anything for me. I started using this again by rubbing a pump full through wet hair before I dry it. It has helped with split ends and leaves my hair silky soft. This is argan oil infused, I don't know how much percentage wise but I think it's a cheaper alternative to say Moroccan Oil or similar products on the market.

Barry M High Shine Gel Finish Nail Polish in Prickly Pear - £3.99

These nail polishes have been so hugely hyped in the blogger World and I just love them too. They're cheap, thier finish is divine and they hardly chip. I really like the range of colours and have a few to pick from but Prickly Pear has to be my favourite, the colour is perfect for summer.

What have you been loving this month?

Review: L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer

Hello lovelies,

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend, I spent mine working, boooo :(

I've had the L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer for going on six months and picked it up alongside the matching foundation. L'Oreal have been knocking out the designer dupes left, right and centre recently and this is based upon the well loved YSL Touche Eclat. Now I have actually owned the YSL version previously, as one's high end and the other is high street, you're purchasing into a different market. If you would like a follow up post comparing the two, just let me know.

My relationship with under eye concealers has been down a long and well worn rocky road, I want something that will cover my dark purple circles when I inevitably don't get enough sleep as I should do but I find regular concealers can be too cakey and crease. I have only just dipped my toe into the edge of the illuminating concealer pool. I like the light reflecting nature, instead of just concealing, they highlight and awaken the face.

Now I like the YSL version but I'm obviously not about to splash out £25 on a concealer. I think the L'Oreal Lumi hits the nail on the head and has a near perfect formula.

You twist the pen end to dispense and I found it surprisingly easy to control how much. The applicator is a brush but I prefer applying to my fingers and then blending it in. YSL claims to be a highlighter, whereas this is marketed as a concealer, the coverage is slightly heavier but yet it feels light on the skin and doesn't crease throughout the day. It doesn't entirely cover my dark circles on bad days but I think I would need something pretty heavy duty to do, this is more natural looking and doesn't look like you're caked in make up.

(Hopefully you can see the coverage this gives)

Shade wise, I chose 1 Light, which is slightly yellow toned but very brightening under the eyes. This is available also in medium and dark. When swatching medium seemed to correct more rather than illuminate. Oh, and as for the packaging, that scores top marks with me, I adore anything rose gold.

L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer retails for £8.49.

What have you been up to this weekend? What's your favourite concealer?

Tag: How Much is My Face Worth?

Hello lovelies,

So I've seen this tag floating around the bloggersphere and decided to do it myself. This is where you add up all the products that you have used on your face for that day. Obviously, you're not using all the product up in one go but it is just the overall cost of your face. I've decided to leave out my skincare routine and just get straight into the make up.

Face

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in shade 103 True Ivory - £8.99

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Shade 2 Fair - £4.19

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in 001 Translucent - £3.99

Seventeen Instant Glow Bronzing Powder in Medium - £4.59

M&S Autograph Pure Colour Powder Blush in Coral - £6.00

Brushes

Japonesque Travel Powder Brush (No longer available) - £30.00

Real Techniques Buffing Brush  (Part of the Core Collection)- £20.99

Eco Tools Bamboo Blush Brush - £7.99

Eyes

Rimmel Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer in 010 Ivory - £5.99

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 002 Hazel - £2.99

L'Oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black - £10.99

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Pencil in 001 Black - £3.99

Lips

Boots No.7 High Shine Lip Crayon in Delicate Pink - £9.00

Total - £119.70

That's shocking!

I think the cost of the brushes plays a huge part in that amount. Seeing that amount isn't going to make me change what I buy, I love everything that I use and it does make me feel better about myself. Some of the products have been picked up on offers and it's not like I've spent all that at once. This sounds increasingly like I'm trying to justify it to myself?

How much is your face worth?