What's In My Bag: The Cambridge Satchel Edition

The Cambridge Satchel is the new addition to my weekend wardrobe as I have been looking for something a little smaller and more casual than the Michael Kors suitcase that I lug around during the week. It took a little while to arrive but I am thrilled with my choice and have fallen instantly in love with the gorgeous colour, practical size and the quality of the bag.

This is the 13" Cambridge Blue satchel. 

It's not the most roomy of bags which means decanting and downsizing for those laid back weekend days where minimal make up and fuss are a must!

So the essentials that I carry around with me are:

• iPhone 5 in white with Accessorize case
• Ted Baker Elonka Wallet in gun metal.  I managed to pick this up in the sales after my last Ted Baker wallet gave up after 8 hard wearing years. It is large so takes up a lot of room in the bag but I can't be faffing with a separate wallet for weekends as well! Plus it's silver and shiny *heart eyed emoticon*. 
• Teal notebook from Paperchase. God knows I do not need another notebook but this is a handy size, a pretty colour and was in the sale.  This lets me jot down any little random thoughts that I think deserve pen and paper rather than a digital life. 
• Ray Ban sunglasses because I am the eternal optimist that the sun might just come out!

As it is the weekend I try to wear a slightly paired back make up look. This little silver bag from a Xmas hair gift set a number of years ago gets a de-clutter to face the weekend. No where near full on a Saturday and Sunday it squashes down to fit in the bag before being ceremoniously refilled on a Sunday night before the Monday morning commute / train make up scenario happens again.

 My weekend essentials include:

• Mini Hairbrush for on the go grooming
• Hair band and grips
• Hand Sanitiser
• L'Occatine hand cream
• Nivea Hydra Care Lip Balm - I brought this after watching this Lisa Eldridge beauty solutions video
• Benefit lip gloss in 'nudie-tude'
• Rimmel mositure renew lipstick in 'To Nude Or Not To Nude'
• KIKO natural concealer in shade 2
• Calvin Klein Euphoria roller ball perfume

As I said I like to keep the weekend edit as minimal as possible but I am still covered for almost all eventualities with this selection whether it be a trip to the cinema, meeting friends for coffee or shopping. 

I love reading 'What's in my bag posts' so please link yours in the comments below so that I can have a good nose and I will also plan a week day edition. 

Autumn Beauty Favourites

It seems like only a few weeks ago I was singing the praises of Bourjois summer hits and now I am looking out of our study window on a rather chilly, rainy November afternoon with Autumn in full swing.

It did not take long to delve head first into the Autumnal tones when it comes to make up and these are a few of the things that I have been turning to day after day.

From left to right: Nars Laguna Bronzer, Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation in Beige, Revlon Nail Colour in Vixen, Benefit Sexiest Nudes Ever...Eye Shadow Kit and MAC Eye Shadow in Divine Decadence.

The Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation was a replacement for my Rimmel Wake Me Up. The every day foundation that gives a good coverage and the dewy complexion that I prefer. I personally don't think that there is much between them and I would probably just pick up which ever one was on offer in Boots...that said the next purchase will be the Happy Light foundation...why? Just because.

My first foray into Revlon nail polishes. I can't say I am surprised by the quality of this product, all of the items I have picked up from them in the last year have been great. Great packaging, great formula and great colour. 2 coats give you that deep berry red perfect for these Autumn months.

Long time favourite of many a beauty blogger the NARS Laguna Bronzer has been on my shopping list for quite some time.  I am a huge fan of the Bobbi Bronzer but this gives a little more of an understated glow which adds a little colour as the weather turns cold. This does have a feint shimmer running through it unlike the matte colour in the Bobbi version but you are not going to turn into a glitter ball it just adds a little dimension.

MAC Divine Decadence is a limited edition eye shadow colour from the Indulge Collection. MAC describe it as a soft warm bronze. The colour itself is glittery Autumn in a tub. I use this in the crease for a day time neutral eye but have also used this all over to create a great shimmery smokey eye. 

The last is this great palette from Benefit. There are 3 of these in the collection but I just couldn't resist this cool purple offering. The palette contains 4 powder eye shadows; the white 'milk it!', the deep violet 'raincheck?', the lilac wash 'pause for applause' and the shimmery silver 'blingo!'. All 4 of these have great colour pay off and I've managed to create both day and night time looks. I was always a little wary of purple tones but I am absolutely loving these and the colours certainly do work for the green eyed girls.

Also included are the 2 mini creaseless cream eyeshadows in holy smokes, a dark shimmer laden grey, and bikini-tini, a nude gloss. Bikini-tini is a little 'meh' I don't think it adds much at all but I love love love holy smoke. It is a great shade and I have been using it as an eye liner for when I don't want something quite as harsh.

I think this little lot will keep me busy until the Christmas offerings start attracting my glittery magpie eye.

Bourjois Bronzing Primer

Do you ever just pop into Boots and then end up with a couple of purchases that were never intended? Yeah that...

I had seen reviews of this on Sunday Girl and Gemsmaquillage as well as a few other blogs and so it wasn't a surprise that this accidentally made its way into my shopping basket and onto my dressing table. I have been coveting the Soleil Tan de Chanel *remembering that 5 lustful minutes in duty free where my head did finally overrule my heart (or my bank account)* and rumours are that this is a pretty could dupe.

This isn't like a cream blush or a mousse like the Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse its more of a whipped cream consistency. It smells of chocolate orange, which was an unexpected surprise and luckily the scent doesn't transfer onto the skin once it has been applied. 

I had anticipated using this as a product to contour on my 'summer' face but I have actually been using this as an all over bronzer. I'm not sure the colour would be right for my skin all year, but right now it is pretty much a good colour booster and isn't looking orange. I've applied using both fingers and a stippling brush and have been happy with both finishes.

This product has currently replaced my trusted and much loved Bobbi bronzer. I don't think this is shimmery at all, but it doesn't provide the same matte finish of the Bobbi. I can use this on top of my Laura Mercier tinted mosituriser and still feel like it is just my skin but better, perfect for lazy summer days and more importantly lazy summer make up!

Have you tried this product or anything else for this range? Do you have any other recommendations for that coveted summer glow?

My First Mac

When your reading beauty blogs, it is difficult to get away from the obsession with MAC, and so on a quiet Saturday I headed over to Bath and spent the majority of my afternoon swatching away at all the gorgeous lotions and potions!

It is a brand that throughout uni I used to covet, but I had never indulged in, and on this trip I wasn't looking for anything specific, but I knew that I would probably be improving on my lipstick collection (virtually non-existent) and in the back of my head I was already thinking about a rose gold eyeshadow. 

I was originally looking at the more traditional nude shades such as creme cup and nude creme but whilst doing some random tests I was really impressed with Viva Glam 5. The picture above makes it look like a red brown shade, but it is really a sheer natural pink with sparkle running through it, so it is not a block colour. I was so impressed with the pigmentation of this. One swipe gives my lips a natural sheen, and a couple of swipes will give a rich 'night time appropriate' colour. 

My next purchase seems to be something that all 'Mac-onistas' have in their collection "All That Glitters". A very neutral rose gold. I am so totally in love with this eye shadow. A quick swipe will provide a totally day appropriate wash of shimmer on the lids, or it can be built up and used as the base of a bronze smokey eye. This is a shimmery colour, and I think that's a given considering its name, but who doesn't love that occasionally. 

I now spend hours pawning over all the beautiful colours on the Mac counter whenever I get a chance but have yet to indulge in a further eyeshadow purchase at least! 

Do you remember your first Mac? 

January Pay Day Wishlist

Well done everyone we've made it though the longest month of the year ever, and it is finally pay day! I am definitely planning on treating myself when that cash hits my bank account and so I thought I'd let you all know what I plan on treating myself to. 

My skin is really suffering in this cold weather, so I'm really looking forward to treating it with a few of these skin care products. 

This is my first go at using 'Beauty Sets'. What do you think?

ESPA Spa Hydrating Body Wrap

On a very snowy (but seemingly always football full Saturday) I cautiously made my way to the spa at my gym for a little mid-January treat, that I cleverly booked late last year. I opted for the hydrating wrap as I know how much my skin struggles in the colder months, and thought that it might need a boost!

After stripping down to some rather flattering paper knickers the therapist used a body brush up my legs, arms, over my back and belly always stroking towards the heart. This is to get rid of the dead skin and get everything moving in the right direction. She then used the ESPA 'Exfoliating Body Polish' all over. This is a rich chestnut coloured exfoliator that smells refreshingly of spearmint and gives you that tingly sensation that the majority of minty products have. The therapist then left the room and let me shower it off. At this point my skin already felt smoother than it has in such a long time.

At this point the treatment got serious, and I was lathered in marine mud, then wrapped in tin foil and blankets. Whilst all snugly and warm, and the mud mask setting, the therapist started a wonderful scalp massage with the ESPA pink hair and scalp mud. This is a red clay cream with watercress extract and apricot kernel oil. It was so nourishing and the massage was so so good. My therapist asked if I could keep it on for a little while after the treatment to let it keep doing its magic, so I didn't return home looking my most glamourous but when I did shower it off later that day my hair felt so good!

I was all warm and relaxed and unfortunately had to be unwrapped, and get back in the shower to wash all the mud off. It was seriously smelly!!! The final stage was to be covered top to toe in the deeply nourishing body cream. Perfection!

I took a couple of photos of the products that they used, but apologies they were on my iPhone in a dimly lit room but the packaging of the products is so nice and I can't tell you how difficult it was not to play with all the products on the table when they were staring at me and all looking so pretty!!

 

It wasn't necessarily the most relaxing treatment as your up and down showering but the products used were so luxurious and my skin still feels amazing. I'm trying hard to maintain and build on what good my wonderful therapist had put in.

I love spa treatments and am now going to cash in the spa day that the husband brought me for my birthday.

 

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I *heart* this make up look

 
For Christmas I brought myself a subscription to the electronic version of Glamour magazine, so that I can read it on my iPad, and not have 100's of magazines forever taking up space in our little house.

Anyway, I was as usual poring over the much too small beauty section (although Alessandra Steinher is without doubt my most favourite beauty editor ever!) and saw this very statement look. I wanted to share it here because I love love love it!!!!

Look at the beautiful glowy skin something I would probably spend pounds and pounds trying to re-create, and it clearly shows the benefits of contoring.

But obviously the statement eye - oh my it's amazing. I have never done a navy eye, or anything as heavy as this even in grey's or brown's but I love it and think the whole look is definitely something that could be re-created at home, and would look amazing on someone with a dark brown eye. Also how the pared down neutral lip lets that colour pop on the eye do the talking.

Oh yes, I seriously love this!!!

The Sanctury Bargain

I finished my final week off from work with a small amount of shopping and picked up this massive bargain in Boots. Rather than £40 they were selling off the 'Sheer Sanctuary Indulgence' set for £10. I had to pick one up because it is such a good deal.

The beautiful box includes a full size; body wash, foaming bath soak, body scrub, body butter and intensive heel rescue. It also has 2 small bottles which are a body lotion (perfect for the gym bag) and a luxury bath float. There was also a sachet of salt scrub and a shower cap. I'm going to save some of the products as presents, as my mum and grandma absolutely love Sanctuary products but I am also going to be giving some of them a try! 

If they are still available you should definitely grab one while they last, even if it is just for re-gifting! 

I can feel some relaxing coming on...

 

2012 Beauty Favourites

I've always been a beauty junkie but 2012 and my delve into the blogosphere has meant that this year I have indulged my passion a little bit more - enough to even write about it.

So I wanted to share with you some of my favourite products that I have discovered this year...

From left to right: Rimmel Lip Butter (Peach Parfait), Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara, Bobbi Brown Oyster and Pearl Palette, Benefit Porefessional, Essie Nail Polish (Miss Fancy Pants), Benefit Coralista

Foundation

OK I'm going to cheat a little bit here (and its only my first item) but whilst I have enjoyed trying a few new products, notably the Garnier BB cream and beauty blogger favourite 'Wake Me Up' Foundation from Rimmel, I am still on the quest for the one. So my favourite foundation product of the year is actually a primer. As I mentioned in a recent Benefit post (LINK) until I found Porefessional I had been using a L'Oréal Primer but this Benefit wonder knocks its socks off. I love that with a small amount it leaves your face feeling totally smooth and makes any drug store foundation look instantly better. I'm so glad that is now in my daily routine and will continue to be a regular purchase in 2013.

Blusher

Another Benefit product I'm afraid, but 2012 saw me fall back in love with this brand and in particular the Coralista blusher. Anything with a hint of coral and I'm your girl, so I was immediately attracted to this product, and needed it in my life as my blushers were certainly on the pinky side. I love the warmth it adds to my face with a hint of sparkle. This might sound weird but I also love how it smells. 

Lips

Having until later in the year been firmly in the 'nude and sparkly' camp it took me a little while to be brave enough to venture into colour. Whilst I'm still not rocking the pillar box red or berry pouts I so covet on other bloggers (I have the worlds thinest lips and just can't pull off brights) I have taken tentative baby steps into something a little more adventurous. I have just one word, Revlon. I have loved their high street take on more high end brands and my first 'lipstick' purchase ever, of a peach parfait lip butter which I love for a more sophisticated but still youthful look, and of course, its still sparkly!

Mascara

Back to a firm favourite of mine and that is Bobbi. As far as I'm concerned when it comes to make up, Bobbi can do no wrong and I have spent many an hour lusting over their counters asking to try product after product. When ordering some re-purchases online I was sent a sample of their Extreme Party mascara and was instantly hooked. Length, volume and not a clump in sight, it is mascara perfection!

Eyeshadow

Can I cheat again? I can't choose one eyeshadow, which are my drug of choice when it comes to make up. I could literally keep buying and buying filling my make up drawers with a kaleidoscope of colour, many of which are destined never to see the light of day. However, when I saw the Caviar  & Oyster palette from Bobbi, released as part of their Christmas range, and now sold out I knew I had to make it mine. I love all of the colours and will do a full review of the product as it so beautiful and therefore deserving of its own post. But the colours are all great, whether you are putting together a muted day look or a more dramatic smokey eye, the choice and quality is brilliant. I have just returned from holiday and this palette was the only eye shadows that I took with me and I managed to create a different look every night. 

Nail polish

On this occasion I'm not actually going to choose a colour but a brand. Pinterest and then blogs introduced me to Essie and it didn't take long for me to find the stand in my local Boots and Superdrug. I am a convert, what more can I say. I love the colours and I love the formula which gives a great slick of translucent colour, great shine and staying power. Whenever I've worn an Essie varnish I've had compliments and I can certainly see me adding to my collection in 2013, in fact I already have my eye on a couple of colours. 

So there it is...some of my beauty favourites for 2012, if you have done a similar post, please link it as I would love to have a look at some of the things that you have found. Maybe they will make it onto my favourites of 2013!

Bodyshop Haul

The Bodyshop is one of those place I firmly remember as a teenage favourite, which evokes memories of white musk, strawberry shower gel and body butters in an array of sickly scents and pastel colours. The shop had indeed fallen out of my favour and I rarely visited it. But this has changed....

My friend recently hosted a Bodyshop party and whilst the classics above are still firmly available I have to say I was really impressed with loads of the new collections, scents and the quality of the make up. I walked in and as a total beauty junkie I was like a kid in a candy shop and ready to feed my addiction.

I found it so difficult to restrain myself as your able to have a real play with all of the products in the comfort of your own (or friends home) with a glass of wine and loads of girly chat. I ended up ordering this little lot and when it was delivered it was like a mini Christmas Day!!!

• Pink grapefruit body oil
• Ginger sparkle shower gel and hand cream
• Gold shimmer dust
• Eyeshadow quad in smoky moonstone (not pictured)
• Sandalwood and Ginger essential oil

I don't want to do a full review of every product in this post because some of them deserve a little more attention but I do want to mention the essential oil. I was so excited to see that Bodyshop had embraced home fragrance and the rep had a few of the scents to sniff. I have a little oil burner at home and anything with the heady scent of sandalwood and ginger is a winner in my book. This creates a warming enveloping scent perfect for cold dark nights. I have also used this to scent my radiators by dabbing on cotton wall and rubbing over the front. When our central heating turns on it fills every room with its feint scent which is so nice, rather than using fake plug ins! My next plan is to do the same things on my car fans. They also have this scent in a reed diffuser and scented candle, both of which are now on my wish list.

I loved the smell of the pink grapefruit range, it is quite strong but is clean and refreshing. The rep said that you can put this on straight out of the shower and just let it soak in, but my skin is so dry that I can use this as a normal moisturiser and still don't get any sort of oily film on myself, clothes or bedding. I wouldn't say this is a nourishing as a normal cream based body moisturiser and is actually quite summery so I'm looking forward to trying this again when the weather heats up. 

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Bobbi Brown Cleansing Oil

I recently made a Bobbi Brown order (more on that in another post) and with it got sent a sample size of the cleansing oil. I have heard mixed reviews on cleansing oils, but given my dry skin I wondered whether they might be really good for me, and how great that the first one I get to try is from this skin care range.

Unfortunately my thoughts are very much 'meh'! No matter what anyone says it does feel wierd to cover your face in oil and to be honest I wasn't sure how much oil to use. After covering my face in a thin layer of oil, I splashed a small amount of warm water and massaged my face. This caused the oil to foam but not in any great quantities, and then rinsed by splashing more water on my face in the old fashioned way, no fancy muslin cloths or sponges here!

After rinsing I thought it left my face a little tight feeling and surprisingly dry given I'd just covered it in oil. It definitely didn't feel as moisturised and glowing as when I get my Liz Earle on. That said it did get rid of all traces of make up, so actually my recommendation is, if you can bring yourself to put oil on your skin and you would class your skin as 'normal' or perhaps 'combination' then this may work for you, provided you have a spare £29 in the bank!

Have any of you tried it, what did you think?

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How To Look The Best At Everything

 The last time I brought anything from Benefit was well over 2 years ago when I lived in London and worked in Angel so was a regular at the gorgeous Benefit boutique on Upper Street!

As I mentioned in my last post I booked myself in for a little make up session at the Benefit counter to get a feel for some of the 'new' products and see if there was anything worth spending my hard earned money on - which wasn't hard. 

As well as the Gloss in my last post, I also brought the 'How To Look The Best At Everything' make up kit. 

The 'book' style case as well as looking totally cute on my new dressing tables contains a 7.5ml POREfessional, a 7ml Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! foundation in Honey, 2 x 1.5g boi-ing concealers in shades 02 and 03 and 4g of the Hello Flawless pressed powder in Honey.

For £24 I think you get quite a lot of product, particularly as I really wanted to try them out before committing to the full purchase of some of these products. 

POREfessioal is one of those products that I hear raved about all the time, but have yet to try...until now. When I got married I chickened out of buying this and instead brought a Loreal Studio primer instead. I thought this was perfectly OK but after trying this I would not repurchase the cheaper product! It gave my skin an amazing softness which allowed the foundation to glide on so smoothly and left my skin looking almost flawless and more importantly that look lasted all day.

I loved the look of the foundation after my trial, it gives amazing coverage without any cakey feel, instead giving the gorgeous dewy glow that I crave, and is often unachievable without a little high beam highlighter, but this achieved it. The powder set it beautifully without looking over the top.

Oh boi-ing, why oh why did I ever stop buying you! By far one of the best concealers and this little pack has reminded me of this. Not chalky and gets rid of redness and dark circles in one for me. It is quite oily, but that suits my dry skin. A little goes a long long way, and so I can see these 2 little pots actually lasting quite a while.

It was definitely worth buying this to trial the products, so much so that my mother in law is travelling to America in the next couple of weeks and I put the primer, foundation and powder on my Christmas list for her to pick up while she is there!

I have loved re-discovering an old friend, is there anything else you think I should be trying?

Until next time...