Sunday 30 January 2011

Collective Haul - PART 2 Beauty Items

Ok, so here's part 2 of this extensive haul haha :)

Vaseline Cocoa Butter £1.99 & Vaseline Healthy Hand & Nail cream £1.19 - Wilkinsons

The Cocoa Butter was reduced from £5! I thought it would be a nice prep for when I fake tan. The Hand & Nail cream is an old faithful, I've used this for as long as I can remember and I'll always go back to it!
Eyeko Toffee Fat Balm £3.90, S&G 'Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser' £5.50, New cid Eyes, Lips & Cheeks palette £12 - All ASOS

All these products were in the sale, the best saving has to be the palette though! The RRP is £24. I have heard so many good things about it so I had to snap it up (it's still available now). For a palette you get absolutely huge amounts of product in there. Each eyeshadow is 5.4gm, each lip colour is 2.25gm & the blusher is 7.2gm!






Eyeko Big Eyes mascara & Graffiti Eyeliner set £5 - ASOS. Sleek Blush 'Pixie Pink' £4.29, MUA lipsticks Shade 1 & 7, MUA blush Shade 1 & MUA eyeshadow shade 11 all £1 each, GOSH Velvet Touch Lipsticl 'Darling' £6.49 & GOSH Soft'N Shine Lip Balm 'Barbie' £3.67 - All Superdrug

So I totally picked up the wrong MUA lipstick, I didn't mean to get Shade 1 but I'll work with it! You get 3.8g of lipstick which is fairly typical. The Eyeshadow is lovelyyy! You get 2g of shadow which is .5g more than MAC ;) MUA blush you get 2.4g as opposed to Sleek which is 8g.. so it kinda works out the same price for amount of product! At the moment some of the GOSH items are half priced so I picked up one of their lip balms & GOSH darling is just an old faithful :)
SWATCHES!!!
 
(L-R) MUA 'shade 7' (LOVE THIS), 'shade 1', GOSH 'Darling' lipstick (slightly washed out by flash), GOSH 'Barbie' Lip Balm & Eyeko 'Toffee' Fat Balm


(L-R) Eyeko Graffiti Liner 'Purple', MUA eyeshadow 'shade 11', MUA blush 'shade 1' & Sleek blush 'Pixie Pink'


 New cid palette. (L-R) 3 Lip shades, 4 eyeshadows & the blush


Next up are some palettes I bought back in December, but I've only just received them. I got these from ebay, the delivery time was no fault of the seller. They ship internationally so if you're interested they're great for my international readers :)

Alltogether (including P&P) they cost me £11.96. I bought an 88 matte eyeshadow palette & a 15 camouflage concealer palette.



As you can see even though it is a matte palette there are some shimmer shades in there, I don't mind this so much though as they aren't overly shimmery! The colour range is so good and the shadows are nicely pigmented. I tried this out the other day and the shadows are lovely to work with & blend really nicely which is great! I seriously recommend this to everyone.. this is great if you're starting out with make up or if you are experienced with make up. The seller can be found here. This palette was £7.99 with free shipping! 
 Quite a lot of the shades have been bleached out by my flash, but in this palette you get 1 highlighter shade, 3 correcter shades - lilac, green & yellow & 11 concealers. I have used this everyday since I received it! The highlighter is one of the most beautiful highlighters I have ever used & I've used a lot! I've mainly used this palette for under my eyes.. I haven't had any blemishes since I received it so I'm yet to try it out on that but I'm sure it'll be great. If you want full coverage foundation then you can mix a tiny bit of fix + with the concealers and use them. I sprayed fix + on a flat foundation brush & dipped it in the concealer pan. I obviously won't be using the darker shades too much, but with a light hand and a stippling brush they can be used as bronzers :) 
The seller can be found here
 
This beauty was £3.97. I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot from these palettes but the quality is so good!
Even if you just want to try these out they are cheap enough to but I would definitely recommend investing in these palettes!
 I'm SO impressed with them!

So that is the end of my collective haul! Well done if you stayed with me during it ;)

If you would like me to swatch the 88 palette & review the concealer palette a bit more then just drop a comment below and I will be more than happy to :)
Hope you're all good dolls!
Kate x

Friday 28 January 2011

Collective Haul - PART 1 Clothing & Accessories

I've been so bad at blogging lately and I do apologise.. let's hope I'll get back into the swing of things now :)

So here is part one of my collective haul, I haven't bought a majorly huge amount of items, but I do want to talk about some in more detail. I've split it up into 'Clothing & Accessories' and 'Beauty items'. 
So first up is Clothing & Accessories :)

 Biker 'Leather' Gilet £15 & Crochet Waistcoat £8 - Both from Primark


Horse Print Dress £5 - Primark

I literally cannot wait for Summer to arrive so I can wear this! I'm going to cut off the straps as I'm not too keen on the skinny straps.
I'm definitely going to try & rock this with some 120denier tights & ankle boots though :)


Butterfly print Peg Leg trousers £12 - Primark
I wish I could get a picture that showed this better without having to put them on! They have a shirred waistband at the back & hang so nicely when on!


Oversized Grandad Cardi £12 - Primark
I absolutely love this cardi but I didn't quite anticipate how oversized it actually would be. If I hadn't of taken the tags out I definitely would've swapped this for a size smaller.. but it's still a nice addition to the wardrobe & I have worn it an awful lot!

 Floral Aviators £1, 60s Square Rim Sunnies £2 & Mirrored Aviators £2 - All Primark
 
 Nautical Rope Necklace £3 - Primark. Anchor Rope Bracelet £6 - ASOS

Click the above link if you are interested in the bracelet. I'm defo bummed out that it's been reduced since I purchased it a few days ago :/ haha!
Anchor Double Finger Ring £8 - ASOS

 This ring is now reduced to £6 :/ whatta joke! Anywayyy.. link above :)


 Hairbow £1.50 - Primark

So I don't know if people are aware of DollyBowBow but it's a little vintage inspired Jewellery & accessories site. A little while ago Kate, the site owner, introduced these new hairbands which have flexible wire in the middle so you can create loads of different styles with the one 'bow'. Now ever since she introduced they have been constantly sold out and obviously I couldn't get one.. but Primark now sell them! The material is  reversible unlike the DollyBowBow ones and it's also at a fraction of the price.. Score :)


So that is part one of my collective haul! I won't be buying many more clothes for a while as I'm going on the Cambridge diet next week, so obviously I don't want to be buying clothes that won't fit when I've hopefully lost the weight :)
Look out for Part 2 in the next couple of days

Kate x

Friday 21 January 2011

NOTD - Desert Haze ♥


Desert Haze - ELF cosmetics



 Sausage fingersssss!
Does anyone else find it extremely hard to picture fingers in a flattering way or is it just mine haha?
Anyway! I adore this colour! I've been wanting a 'Greige' shade for yonks but I just haven't found one that made me want it enough to buy it. In this picture I used 2 coats. It has a lovely consistency and is very smooth to apply.

This was only £1 on the ELF site so it was rude not to buy it!
This sort of shade looks lovely on short nails!

ELF cosmetics can only be purchased online. This polish can be found here. They currently have a sale on a few of the polishes and lots of other items so check them out quick :)
Kate x

Thursday 20 January 2011

Just a little update..

I logged on to Blogger for the first time, last night, since Saturday! I have been so busy! At the weekend I worked night shifts and they always take it out of me, on Monday my friend and I went to Surrey and had a night out there.. on the Tuesday we travelled home, went shopping in the city centre & then went 20 miles the other way to get our hair done. Tuesday evening I went to the dentist with my Mum and then I FINALLY got back to my home town late Tuesday evening! PHEW!
Since then I have been working, so I've really fallen behind on my blog :(
It's not that I'm uninspired, I have so many posts I want to do, it's just literally finding the time in my crazy schedule!

Last week I injured my knee, I had to go to hospital last night. I've got soft tissue damage and also artifacts (I think thats how you spell it) in between the joints, which is basically excess fluid & little bits of bone. If anyone has any tips on speedy recovery it would be much appreciated!
Anyway, I'm explaining all of this because after tonights shift at work I'm self certifying for a week to help my knee as I currently can't straighten it.

So after all that waffling, I shall hopefully get back into my blogging routine this week & next. I've got lots of posts planned so you can expect more hauls, EOTDs, NOTDs, posts that I have been meaning to work on and also I'm going to be doing a Valentines look.
So I hope everyone is doing well! I'm now going to catch up on all of your blogs & then get myself ready for work.. JOY!


Catch you soon, Dolls
Kate x

Saturday 15 January 2011

EOTD - Smoked Out Browns



Products used;
GOSH Trio Eyeshadow 'TR2 Smoky'
GOSH Velvet Touch Eyeliner 'Black Ink'
Ardell '#120 Demi' Lashes

I got this GOSH trio as part of a gift set for Christmas and I've been wanting to have a play around with it for ages. This is what I done with it and I thought I'd share. I glammed it up with some big lashes and heavy liner, but without those it would be perfect for daytime.
I LOVE these lashes. I ordered them from America, cost me £3.99 and I prefer them over any lashes I have bought before. If you're interested here's the link for them. 

I also used to hate eyeliner but this has most definitely turned me. I put this on my waterline around 6:00pm, it's now 12:38am and still as intense as ever. So good.

 (a posey picture for good measure)

So I hope you enjoyed this quick little EOTD :)

Kate x 

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Eyeko Tinted & Extra Glow Cream Review

So I've always been a fan of Eyeko, I've purchased a fair few items from Superdrug (I wish they still sold them there!), ASOS etc and I've been eyeing up their creams for absolutely ages!
The other day I went on to the site to purchase some and saw the offer they had on. The Eyeko creams are usually £8.50 each but if I bought these two together I got them both for £12! So me not being one to turn down an offer I had to get both, among some other purchases.
I wanted to have a play around with these before I reviewed them so I could get a good feel for the product.


 The packaging is so cute as per usual with Eyeko! This is the best picture of the creams I could get with the rubbish lighting I have.

Eyeko claim that these products are a 3 in 1 cream, being a highlighter, moisturiser & eye cream. Now I personally wouldn't use these as a moisturiser but I have such dry skin I use really hydrating anti-wrinkle creams so Im pretty hard to impress on that level. The only thing I think it personally lives up to is the highlighting.
I'm a highlighter junkie- I highlight on a daily basis. Now these products are perfect for this!
The cream has quite a thin consistency and a little goes a long way. You get 28ml of product in each tub so these little beauts are going to last a long while!
When I want an all over glow I use the Extra Glow cream all over my face, under my foundation and when I just want to highlight specific areas I'll use it on top of my foundation.
With the Tinted Cream I use this as a highlighter for specific areas but in the summer I'll be using it all over on its own.
 I haven't blended out the tinted cream (on the right) so you could see clearly the colour it gives my cheeks.

Overall I'm pretty impressed with these and I will definitely be re-purchasing these when I eventually run out of them :)
Has anyone else tried these creams out?

Remember if you want to purchase anything from Eyeko, enter my code E13453 at checkout and you will receive a free gift if you spend £15. Eyeko are still doing free shipping for the UK & Europe and are still giving away a free Lilac polish with orders over £15 :)

If you have anymore questions about these creams just drop it down in the comments box and I'll get back to you :)
Kate x

Tuesday 11 January 2011

NOTD - Parma Violet ♥

Parma Violet - 17

 (You'll have to excuse the tan on the knuckles haha)

I LOVE this colour! People usually only stick to pastel shades during Spring/Summer, but I'm all for wearing whatever shade you fancy during any season.
This is 17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish which retails at £2.99. 17 often have 3 for 2 on their range as well.
I have a few of their polishes and I absolutely love them.
I can't comment on staying power as I always have Acrylics and any nail polish lasts forever on Acrylic Nails.

17 Can be found in Boots stores & Online :)

Kate x

Friday 7 January 2011

I got a 'Haul' lotta stuff..

Yeah.. my titles a crap joke I know, I know.
Basically this is my first time shopping in a month :o (online shopping does not count!) haha!
I done so well.. I put so much stuff back on the rails/shelves but I couldn't resist these bargains :)

Get ready for a picture heavy post!
River Island - £5 reduced from £12.99

I saw someone blog about this a few weeks back (can't remember who!) and thought it looked great & then saw it reduced yesterday for a fiver.. Not going to miss that!
My Mum wanted me to buy it cause it looks pretty ahaha bless her!






River Island - £30 reduced from £60





River Island - £10 reduced from £25








I have wanted these boots for yonks!!! But lately I just can't justify spending £60 on peep toe boots I won't get much wear out of. These were the last size 5 and I have Christmas money to spend so I just couldn't say no. The leather is so soft and the turn over collar is suede with a slight sparkle. So beautiful in person!
Love this dress! I have a ton of Body Con dresses, but the cut out shoulders and key hole back make it so different to all my others.. Hoping it looks good on :)
Primark - £8 reduced from £15

Yes, they are meant to come out without laces :) I have wanted some worker boots for ages but I couldn't find any that looked 'feminine' enough for me.. they were all too clumpy for my liking.. I'm really specific about boots I wear.. I don't like boots that come any higher than just above the ankle.. I think I'm too short for them, I look strange and that was another problem I found with worker boots, they are always like half way up to my knee.. not a good look for me.

Primark - (l-r) £1.50, £2 & £2

I literally can't go into Primark without purchasing some of their jewellery, especially rings! I got the 'love' one cause I'm kinda obsessed with double finger rings, and who doesn't love a bit of tack in their lives! The Rose one is just really delicate for a statement ring and the rings on the right are actually a set of three, which you can wear stacked together or seperately, so cute!

Primark - All £1.50

I needed some small studs for work, apparently my smallest pair are still too big :( so these will do! The tea set necklace is so so cute and I love the bow bangle, although the size of the bangle is a bit too big for my liking but never mind!


I've wanted to try out Revlon Color Stay for ages and as my everyday foundation is running low I thought I'd purchase some. I got shade 'Buff' and I'm an NW20 in MAC (pro longwear NC15) this foundation is actually on offer at the mo, in Boots and Superdrug, for £9 so if I like it I'm going back to stock up on it :) The Gosh nail polish is in the shade 'Miss Sweety', this was only £2.49! 
The Eyeko things were delivered today so I thought I'd include them. The Eyeko tinted cream & extra glow cream were £12 as I bought them in a gift set thing. Rain polish & Chi Chi polish were £3.50. The lipgloss in shade 'Primrose Hill' & the Petite Polish were my ambassador gifts :)


(things I forgot to photograph) 
A daisy headband for £1 in Primark & Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Sex Bomb Massive Mousse (this stuff is amazing!) and their Glam Hair Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray. These are currently on offer for 2 for £7 in Boots. They retail for around £5 each usually so it's a good deal :)

Has anyone tried their salt spray?? I can't stand the smell of this Glam Hair range but I love the products I have tried so far, so I'm willing to put up with it!

If you read all this post then I congratulate you. Was bit of a long one and I had a good waffle!
Did anyone pick anything nice up in the sales??

Don't forget if you'd like to order something from Eyeko then enter my Ambassador Code E13453 for a free gift :)

Kate x

(just seen that Eyeko are offering free shipping for UK & Europe and are sending out a free Lilac Polish with every order over £15!!)

Thursday 6 January 2011

EOTD - Swinging Sixties

Sixties make up is hottttt!
I seriously wish everyone wore their make up like this nowadays.. such a gorgeous look.
I thought I'd try and recreate it, it's not my best work, but it's all fun at the end of the day :)

 Inspiration



My Interpretation



Products used;
Natural Collection eyeshadow 'Sea Shell' - All over eye
Sleek Bad Girl 'Noir' - Crease
Eyeko Graffiti Liner 'Jet Black'
Benefit Eye Bright pencil - Waterline & under lower lash line
ELF Dramatic Lash Kit
MAC Penultimate Brow Marker


The idea of the Sixties make up is to focus purely on the eyes. Skin is matte, without blush, lips are always a soft nude colour and eyes are dramatised.
Idealy you want to use matte eyeshadow for the eyes, my base colour has a slight pearlescent to it but it was the best I could use at the time :)
Hope you enjoy this post as much as I did creating it!

Kate x

Tuesday 4 January 2011

EOTD - Dramatic Cut Crease



On Sunday I tried doing a 'cut crease' eye for the very first time.. I took pictures, uploaded the post and was so unhappy with it I took it down determined to get better at it.
So here's my second attempt, on my first attempt I used neutral colours but I wanted to do something more fun and make it quite dramatic.




Products used;
Sleek 'Bad Girl' Palette, MAC Penultimate Brow Marker, ELF Dramatic Lash Kit & No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara.

All Eyeshadows from the Bad Girl palette;
Twilight- all over the lid
Noir- cut crease
Gullible- highlight (such a beautiful highlighter!)
Overall I'm pretty happy with this look. This EOTD was more designed for fun, I wouldn't really wear this out.
If anyone has any tips & tricks on how to improve my cut crease then please do share :)

Kate x

Monday 3 January 2011

Perfect Imperfections

I'm sure you've all seen this TAG before, but if not I shall explain it. Basically you write about three things you like about yourself and three things you don't..
I'm going to start with the things I like
My Eyes

I really like the colour of my eyes, especially in the sun when they go such a bright blue. I like the almond shape as well.
 
My Eyebrows

I love to have perfect brows anyway, but I'm really lucky with the fact my eyebrows have a nice natural arch to them. Sometimes I wish they were a bit more thick (thank god for eyebrow powders and markers!) They also take yonks to grow so they're very low maintenance :)



My Hair

My hair is bit of a funny one. I admit I moan and moan about how long it takes to style because of the length and thickness of it but once my hairs done I love it. I'm very lucky with the colour, I have never coloured it in my life and I don't plan on it. My hair doesn't get dry and I rarely have to get it cut. I can also just leave it to dry naturally and it will set into loose curls. So I suppose it's not too bad really.

   
(ignore the drunken pose.. it's purely to show the colour and condition haha)


The picture above is perfect to go onto my first imperfection..

MY NOSE!

I bloody hate it with a passion. It's the biggest thing ever. I did start saving for a nose job because it used to get me down but I'm just far too scared I look so weird with a different nose.. If only I could magically shrink it overnight.....

MY LIPS!

Now this is the complete opposite to my nose.. They are far too small! I think God was having a joke when he created my face.. Lets give her a huge nose and tiny lips.
Hate hate hate.. it's not even that they are too thin but they are just really small in comparison to my face!

MY SKIN!

I've never been blessed with clear skin.. It's calmed down a lot as I have gotten older but I still get the odd hormonal break out. Don't get me wrong, people have it far worse than me but my skin is so dry that there's nothing I can really do to treat blemishes :(
Also I have a lot of freckles (which I love!) but I can't not wear any foundation because if I have the slightest blemish or red flush on my cheeks my skin will look awful. People who have freckles will agree it's incredibly difficult to make our skin look flawless and smooth :(


So that's my Perfect Imperfections tag. I felt quite weird writing about things I 'like' as I'm not really the type of girl to big myself up or say I like things about myself but I defo enjoyed having a rant about my imperfections!
I tag you ALL :)

Kate x
 

Sunday 2 January 2011

Free Gift?? Yes Please..!!

I'm now an Eyeko Ambassador which basically means I get to share a code with my lovely readers that allows you to get a free gift.

Just spend £15, €18 or $20 at Eyeko and you will receive a free full size product :)


Now you have another excuse to treat yourself :)

Kate x