Seeing Red...

Recently when I look in the mirror I've been dissatisfied with my hair. It's not that I dislike the cut of it, its that the colour is a little... lack lustre. Upon realising this, I started to think about what colour I'd like it to be, and the choice came to either a darker, richer brown or a more vibrant red. I didn't want to go quite as red as I did last time, but I still wanted a distinct red tinge to my hair. So, when I traipsed around Superdrug scouring the hair colours for the perfect hue, I found this, and thought WAHEY!

Dear readers, I give you...

 

I absolutely can't wait to use it! Though I had to nip to Primark to buy a crap towel to use so I didn't ruin one of my nice (expensive!) ones! I got one in the sale for £4, so I was happy as Larry however!

Ta ta for now!

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My New Michael Kors Love

As I have now got a job, I decided to treat myself to a Christmas present over the holidays, which took the form of a Michael Kors watch.

MK-8077

It is the first gold watch I have ever owned; I went off gold jewellry for quite a while, but I'm slowly coming around to liking it again. I absolutely adore it - its big, brash and masculine. At frist I didn't know whether to keep it or not because it is so masculine, but in the end the more I looked at it the more I loved it. I had to have two links taken off it because it was mahoosive, so big that I could slip it on and off my wrist without undoing it! Now it has just the right amount of looseness.

What do you guys think of it?

A Little Surprise...

I came home the other day to see a parcel lying on the stairs.A pretty purple and white parcel, with a unicorn emblazened across the top.

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Quick haul from Boots.

Yesterday I went shopping in Manchester with the sole aim of blowing my hard earned cash. Let's just say that I was a little too successful in this endeavour, although I did also buy some Christmas presents! I ended up buying two nail varnishes from Accessorize - Pink Spice and Aztec, which are beautiful beautiful colours. Pink Spice is between red and pink with gold glitter flecks that change colour in the light. Aztec is the colour of oil when it is spilled on the ground and it turns all rainbow-y - just divine! I'm wearing Aztec at the moment, and it went on quite well, it was a bit watery so it did need at least two coats (I would have put on three but I was running a bit late), however I still think its a lovely varnish. I think Pink Spice was thicker than Aztec, because my mum only whacked on one coat and it looked amazing!

Pink Spice

Aztec looking rather similar to Pink Spice! :S

 Another nail product I got was the Sally Hansen Miracle Nail Thickener, because my nails are ridiculously weak and I want to strengthen them so I can get them to grow into long elegant nails. I've been trying to stop biting my nails, but as soon as they start gaining any length they either split or break! It makes me cry inside haha.

Now onto the makeup. I was amazed at how restrained I was in this department, probably because it was absolutely rammed in Boots, and it was so hot I felt faint. It didn't stop me completely however, I did manage to elbow my way to the Estee Lauder counter to pick up one of their Pure Colour Crystal lipsticks in Crystal Baby. Its a creme lipstick that is just too lovely. Its a glorious pinky nude that feels so good on the lips and is so flattering, plus has good longevity too. I really recommend you go check it out at your nearest counter.

Lastly I ended up repurchasing the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment that I waxed lyrical about in a previous post. I cannot express how much I LOVE this product, and this time I will post before and after pictures of my hair's length when straightened. I also picked up a shampoo as recommended by Vivianna, the Boots expert build up removal one. Every product that I use that has been recommended by Vivianna has always proven itself, so I'm looking forward to using it. I have a review coming up of the Jemma Kid Light As Air Foundation, and I also have a few little Christmassy posts in the line up!

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Christmas Shopping Trip

Ahh, so yesterday I did the dreaded Christmas shopping and managed to get it all done! Woo hoo! I also managed to squeeze in a bit of shopping for me too haha. Here are the results:-

How have I never bought this before?! One of Lush's cult products, Snow Fairy is delicious shower gel that smells of cotton candy and childhood. It's a bright Barbie pink with tiny shimmery bits of purple and blue glitter which all in all add up to a divine bath time treat. Needless to say I had to buy its sister, the Magic Wand bath bomb.

It smells exactly the same as Snow Fairy, except it's in the shape of a star on the end of a stick with a cute little bell! I talked to the lady at Lush and she also said that it lasts forever, and for a fiver (£4.95) I thought it was a bargain! I can't wait to use it!

When I took a quick look through Boots, I spied the Clinique counter and decided to talk to one of the consultants about my skin. I have very dry skin that is really playing up at the moment, in fact it's the worst it has ever been. I have heard great things about Clinique, and in fact one of their skin products is on my HG list, but it is the only skin care product of theirs I have tried. Anyway, the girl recommended that I use their three step system in type 1, and to come back and see her in two weeks. I can't wait to start using it, and I will do a post about my skin to show you the results of using it consistently. At first I was only going to buy the set for £20, but then she told me about the points offer where you get £12 worth of advantage points when you spend £50 or more, so I ended up buying the moisture surge moisturiser again! I am actually glad I got it, because it is such a good product. I just feel guilty about the amount I spent in Boots haha. On the plus side, I got a free gift from Clinique that consists of a lipgloss in Air Kiss, a scrub cream and a sample of their Aromatics Elixir perfume. I didn't actually realise I'd spent this much until I starting doing this post lol! Oh well, I knew control was never my strong point...

My birthday! (Lime Crime Haul)

On Monday it was my birthday - I am now officially 19 years old and into my last year of teenhood! Unfortunately I couldn't spend it with the family because I was at Uni so I got to open my presents a day earlier! Woohoo! I won't go through everything that I got, but I thought I'd speak to you about the bits of makeup I got! :)

First up I got two Lime Crime eye shadows in Diva and Troubadour. Diva is described as a 'warm metallic bronze' and is saturated in a beautiful golden shimmer. It is such a gorgeous colour, more orangey and sparkly than Baked by Urban Decay, which has more of a brown undertone. As one of Lime Crime's more wearable shades, it is the only one that has gained five stars in all its reviews, and for good reason. Troubadour on the other hand is a 'saturated shimmery turquoise'. It has silver and purple shimmer to it, and is again just lovely. One more thing I want to talk about before I move on is the new packaging! The other two Lime Crime eyeshadows that I own are in the old packaging, and I have to say I do prefer the new ones. They are prettier, sleeker and more expensive looking.

I also ended up getting the eye shadow primer, which is fab because I was running out of my Urban Decay one! And I have to say, this one is AMAZING. Seriously guys, you need to try this. I put my makeup on at 11am on my birthday, and by 12am that night it was still perfect, with no fading at all. The only thing I have to say about this is the fact that you have to use your fingers to apply it - I liked swiping it on with a brush and then blending it out with my fingers, but I guess if you have clean hands every time you use it it is more hygenic? Oh well, it is still the best primer I have ever used!

Lastly, I got a lipstick - one of their limited edition ones in Glamour 101 from their Lip Noir collection. It is a beautiful berry colour that will be great for winter and is what it says on the tin - glamorous.

One more thing I have to say is in regards to the packaging again. The older packaging was slightly fatter and taller, the new ones feel more slimmer and a LOT more sturdy. The old ones were very plasticy, in fact one of my lids has snapped from one of my older lipsticks. Again, I really like the new packaging! Now just to wait for my Carousel Gloss...... :)

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MAC Haul!

The other day I went to the Trafford Center to get my makeup done at MAC. I had one of those vouchers that I received as a gift last year and had not yet spent (I know!!) so I decieded to use it up pronto! The girl I had was called Jessica, and she was lovely, especially as I hadn't a clue to what I wanted done! It couldn't be too dramatic because I had work later on, so I just said that I loved Kim Kardashian's makeup, and could we base a look around that? When I saw the results in the mirror, I was overjoyed! I thought she did a really good job, so I got her to write everything down so I could do it at home haha. I will post pictures of it later on!

So what did I get with my voucher I hear you ask?

I've always wanted to try the Mineral Skin Finish, but never picked it up because I didn't really know what to do with it, and I felt really awkward asking, but Jessica was so lovely I told her about my worries and she talked me through all its uses, and suggested I get the medium plus, which I did! When she said medium plus, at first I was quite scared because I thought it would tango me (being very pale) but it looks nice on.

I also ended up buying my first MAC lipstick! I got it in Hue, a lovely pinkish nude which is a glaze. And can I just say, I am already in love with this lipstick. I use it all the time now because its such a pretty wash of colour that feels nice and light on your lips.

Lastly, I ended up buying the limited edition paint pot in Morning Frost from their Glitter and Ice collection. I didn't get it from the TC though, because it was sold out there (sob sob) but I rang round and they had two left in the Exchange Square Selfridges in Manchester. Oh my gosh was I overjoyed. I asked the girl to reserve me one then jumped on the next bus. When I got there it was the last one left!!! I had tears in my eyes, let me tell you haha. Now that I've got it, I'm SO GLAD I chased after it, because it is such a beautiful colour. Its mostly described as a 'shimmering champagne taupe'; it has quite a purple undertone, that glides onto your skin leaving a veil of glistening colour that is just too stunning. As its my first paint pot, I can't compare it with anything else, but I am impressed with its longevity as normally makeup just vanishes off my skin in a flash, but this has been on all day without a crease! Ahh, l'amour! <3

New Haul from Boots (Oops)

I am seriously running out of cash. It's getting slightly worrying now. I'm glad I'm getting paid tomorrow!

Last Thursday I went back to Manchester where I was supposed to meet up with my family. Except they wouldn't be in town till 5pm and my train had arrived at 3:30pm. So, I did what any other logical person would and went out to peruse the shops. I nipped in Primark because I needed some new ballet pumps, but didn't really see anything I liked. They had some nice clothes in, but again nothing amazing. I was trying to distract myself with clothes, which I'm less likely to buy, but I knew I was going to end up in Boots, so I ended up trotting over there pronto.Of course I ended up buying some things. 

First off, I got some deodorant, because I was running out and I looove the smell of the Dove silk dry one. I also ended up buying an Impulse body spray in Goddess, and oh my gosh its like being in highschool all over again whenever I spray this on me, because I literally used to use a bottle every day haha! It smells so lovely, all fresh and girly. Then I saw this Botanical's eye make up remover, which I saw mentioned on Vivianna's blog, so obviously I had to buy it and try it out myself, and it is safe to say that it is brilliant. Next I picked up the new limited edition Vaseline, and it does smell gorgeous but I don't really like the greasy feeling of Vaseline itself.

When I got to the makeup aisle, I knew I couldn't spend that much, so I tried to skip past the more expensive brands and focus on the cheap and cheerful ones. I've not looked at 17 products in years, so I decided to check up on them. The first lipstick I picked up was one of their Lasting Fix ones in Heatherberry, a lovely brown nude that is infused with microscopic turquoise shimmery bits that gives the colour a certain edge. I was really intrigued by it so I decided to buy it, and as there was a three for two offer on I thought what the hell, might as well pick up two more! In the end I chose Mulled Wine, a sophisticated pinky red, also a Lasting Fix, and Antique Lace, a Sheer Moisture lipstick. Now, let me just state, Antique Lace is rapidly gaining a place in my heart as one of my favourite colours. I don't take decisions like this lightly, but this is such a pretty colour, I urge everyone to go and check it out. What drew me to it was the addition of the word 'moisture' to its title, my lips constantly seem dry, so I instinctively go for products that will help my lips out that little bit more. The colour is a pinkish nude, which the tiniest bit of  sparkle that looks unbelievingly flattering on the lips. Its not super pigmented, but it gives just the right amount of colour. I'm so glad I bought it! :)

Heatherberry

Mulled Wine

Antique Lace

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Glasgow HAUL! (ft. Avon haul)

Here's the post I promised with my haul from Glasgow! Its a really long ramble, so I congratulate you if you manage to get to the end! ;)

l-r: peachy pink, bare all, coral

First off I thought I'd start with the lipsticks. I got two Barry M ones and a Sleek one. The Barry M ones are 147 Peachy Pink and 53 Coral.

Peachy Pink is a matte shade that goes onto your lips as a kind of neon pastel orangy colour. Because it is matte, your lips need to be in tip top condition, or this lipstick will look awful - it clings to dry patches like people cling to cliff edges; it ain't pretty. However, pigmentation on this lipstick is good, as is its staying power though I'm not sure how much I'll use this lipstick, because generally my lips crave moisture.

Coral on the other hand is a pretty frosted peachy pink, which reminds me of the 80's and Katy Perry. Its a more forgiving formula than peachy pink, as it feels more moisturising and doesn't cling to dry patches as badly.

My favourite lipstick though, has to be Sleek's Bare All. This is also a matte lipstick, but the formula feels more creamy and moisturising than the Barry M one. The colour is what I'd describe as fleshy pink that looks really flattering on your lips.

Another item I decided to pick up was this glitter eye gel set from Claire's. I am a self confessed magpie, so when I saw this set my eyes lit up, and all I could think was how amazing these colours would look on the eyes at Christmas. As you can see, I've already swatched them, and I've already reached the bottom of the pan on one of the colours! Granted, I am heavy handed, but even so there is hardly any product in each section. But for £4, I'm not too fussed.

I also ended up buying some little bits from Accessorize as it was 3 for 2 on all jewellery. I got a cute little earring and bracelet set, where the bracelet has a pretty sparkly heart and a swallow that dangles. I thought they looked quite cute and elegant, and something a bit different from what I usually wear (I only really wear silver jewellery, if any at all). Then I got a necklace with a gorgeous multicoloured stone at the end. It has a really long chain, which I thought made it a bit different and would be great for jazzing up simple outfits.

Other things I bought from Claire's are a doughnut and some cute eyelashes that looked very Japanese to me. I really want to do a Gyaru look, but whenever I try it never looks right and I don't want to post a picture showing crap makeup! It makes me a bit sad having to buy a doughnut - my hair used to be long and thick so I never needed one, but since I had my hair cut I haven't been able to put it up into a bun because its too short with too many layers! :( Saying that, I really love it, it makes my bun look really thick and a really nice shape. In fact, even when my hair is long again I'll probably still use it!

The other two products on this picture are things I got from a recent Avon order - a lipgloss and a nail varnish, as well as a face mask. The lipgloss is their Glazewear Dazzle Lip Gloss in Shimmered, which gives a pretty wash of colour that is saturated with glitter. It isn't as glossy as you would expect, but I think its because it tries to be very unsticky (wow, bad grammar). I do like this lipgloss, it isn't sticky or gloopy at all, and it is just so sparkly! The nail varnish is Violetta Sparkle, a dark purple with gold glitter. I loved the colour in the bottle, but I'm not sure whether I like it now I have it on. The glitter in it makes your nails look a bit dirty. Also, I was really disappointed with its longevity - it started chipping the next day! I was quite shocked, because Avon nail varnishes are usually good. 

Violetta Sparkle

Lastly, I ended up buying some Soap & Glory exfoliating gloves after seeing that Laura uses them. I've not used them yet, but if you want I can write about them once I have? I also got two books in WHSmith's buy one get one half price offer so I had something to do while I waited for my train! I already had Sophie Kinsella's book (and in a hardback version, no less) but when I went to read it earlier last month, I just couldn't find it anywhere. I really love this story too, so I was gutted! I've had my eye on One Day for a while, ever since the film came out, and now that I've got it I'm glad I did! It is a really good story and would recommend it to everyone :)

Thanks for keeping with me if you managed to make it to the bottom! :')

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HAUL

I've not been feeling very well lately (fresher's flu sob sob) so I decided to go out and treat myself in the hopes that it would make me feel better. It didn't, but I got some cute stuff!

First up, I've been looking for a nude lipgloss because I'm planning on doing a gyaru look, based off Tsubasa Masukawa. I love this one from Bourjois (33 Brun Poetic) because it is just the right colour for me, with the right amount of pink to brown tones. Also, it's got a gorgeous sparkle to it and has hydrating properties. 

Secondly, I got another Bourjois product, their Liner Clubbing in Ultra Black. My old liquid eyeliner has run out, and I wanted one that would stay put on my face all day (makeup seems to mysteriously disappear off my face) so with a description like 'sweat proof', 'tear proof' and 'ultra resistance', I had to give it a go. It has a beautifully thin brush, and a deep, jet black colour. I can't wait to test it!

The next thing I chose was a lipstick from Rimmel, which is part of the new collection by Kate Moss. The colour I got was 04, an absolutely stunning blackened purple auburgine colour. I've been looking for a deep purple everywhere, and could never find the colour I was looking for, up until now. Thanks Kate!

Lastly I got a little tin of good old Vaseline, because you never know when it will come in handy! 

P.S. Been toying around with my photo's, to try and make them look better! Kinda figured out how to put them on a white background, but I'm still learning, so please bear with me! :) 

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