June Favourites 2014

So, I'm currently propped up in bed ill, with not enough energy to really allow me to do much more than watch Netflix and browse Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/lampysplace/ if you're interested in beauty, home decor and recipes). At least Lolly the Grumpy Kitty is enjoying having some company.

I've been a bit naughty lately and treated myself to new products from some of the limited edition MAC collections as well as a Hugo Boss Deep Red perfume, however, I'm trying not to feel too guilty because they have all become instant favourites, alongside several golden oldies that I have been loving lately.

I've mentioned the Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid foundation (review *here*) many times before and it is a foundation that I still keep returning too when I want a nice even coverage that looks natural yet hides a multitude of sins. I went back to using this lately after the madness I had with the Seventeen Miracle Matte Foundation (review *here*) and have fallen right back in love with it.
The first of my little MAC purchases was from the Disney Maleficent collection in the form of the sculpting powder in shade Sculpt which is a tan matte powder perfect for contouring along cheek bones for a defined look. Whilst it is now out of stock, the closest MAC bronzer I can find is *here*.
Its unfortunate but just an accepted fact that I sometimes have trouble with spot prone skin. I don't know why because I eat healthily, take care of my face and don't have excessively oily skin but I guess it's just one of those things. Nothing works as well for me as the Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Spot Treatment Gel (review *here*)which has been getting a lot of use during the last month as my skin grumps about the hot weather.
When the weather is warm I tend to avoid too much eye makeup because I find that it tend to smudge a little and just end up looking less pristine than I would like. This summer, instead, I have been sweeping on a couple of coats of the Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Mascara* (review *here*) which never fails to impress me with its results. It coats and lifts eyelashes instantly mking them look fuller and longer and the result lasts all day without smudging or clumping. Its a firm favourite.
My other naughty MAC purchase was the Mineralise Skinfinish Duo in Jolly Good (review in the next couple of days) from the Kelly Osbourne collection which is still in stock in a lot of stores so you can grab it if you're quick! This soft bronze powder is perfect for fair skinned girls like me who want to add a touch of warmth but nothing too dark. I either use it lightly all over for a glowing look or pair with the Maleficent powder to contour my cheek bones.
Finally, a perfume that I wanted for a long long time and finally bought myself a few weeks ago. Deep Red is a really warm, yet soft and sensual smell which is womanly without being overly sweet. Right now I can't get enough of it!

What have been your favourites recently? Have you tried any of these products? What were your thoughts?

Annie xx

Bourjois Volume 1 Seconde Volume Mascara

One of my top beauty items has to be mascara, even if I don't use anything else I will always apply a coat of volumising mascara. It  shapes, makes eyes look bigger and really gives a lift that makes me look awake even if I don't feel it!

Recently, I was lucky enough to be offered the chance to trial the latest offering from Bourjois, the Volume 1 Seconde Mascara(*) which has been designed to coat lashes from all angles with a specially formulated mascara that with just one coat gives exceptional volume and length.

I'm not usually the sort to be sold on mascaras that promise amazing things because,  in my experience, they just don't deliver the results, but I have actually been pleasantly surprised by this one. It does everything that it claims and also holds the impressive results all day. I have also had no trouble with finding smears of mascara under my eyes after a couple of hours of wear which is something that I am all too used to!
Removal is also not a chore. I soak a cotton pad in micellar water and gently wipe it away really easily, despite holding in place for hours. Definitely appreciated since no one likes panda eyes in the morning :)

Over all I really rate this mascara and am likely to repurchase in the future. Currently in Boots you can pick up a tube at the introductory price of £7.99 but usually it will cost £9.99 which I would say is more than worth it.

Annie xx

Exciting New Product Launch from Bourjois!

It's been a while since I've been so excited about a product launch.
Bourjois is one of my very favourite cosmetic ranges, the foundation especially works wonders for my English Rose skin tone!
So what are they releasing that I'm so excited about?

Cream Blush!
Bourjois's original baked blush has always been known to be one of the very best and my pot of Rose D'Or is one of my most used blushers in my collection.
The new cream blushers have a cream to powder formula that allows you to apply super easily with your fingers and on contact with the skin it transforms in to a silky smooth powder, giving you a fresh, dewy look. There are only going to be 4 shades available to begin (No 1 Nude Velvet, No 2 Healthy Glow, No 3 Rose Tender and No 4 Sweet Cherry) with but I'm sure this will be expanded over time.
The classic round compact has been slimmed down and made more transportable for the new release and to make the product extra special it has also been enriched with poppy, apricot and mango extracts which are all great for the skin. Can you tell I'm excited?
I'm really looking forward to getting my hand on Shades 1 and 3 which are both super cute, pale pink shades.
The Cream Blush was released in Selfridges on 3rd of May and will be available in Boots stores across the UK for £7.99 from 15th May.

Will you be buying? Which shade are you most interested to try? Are you like me and prefer cream blushers to powders?
Annie xx

Come on Pay Day, I'm Lusting!

Pay day cannot come soon enough, its been a long time that I've been low on money now due to missing pay cut off etc last month. A proper shopping trip feels like a long lost memory and the enforced spending ban is getting me down so I've been doing a spot of online window shopping for bits and bobs to treat myself to when pay day finally rolls round.

1. It's time to cave in and buy a tangle teezer to try and tame my mane a bit. I have so much hair and it can really hurt trying to force a brush through it so I'm hoping this one makes it a little easier after reading some amazing reviews.

2. I'm a blusher fiend and the blush up brush from the Illamasqua I'mperfection range looks amazing for contouring so it's definitely on my "must buy" list.

3. I promised myself when I was unemployed that I would buy Calvin Klein CK1 Shock with my first pay cheque and that is exactly what I'm going to do. Have you smelt it? It's amazing and I love the street edition bottle!

4. I'm really in to glitter nail varnish at the moment but we all know it's a nightmare to get off. I've heard that the Bourjois 1 Second magic remover works fairly well so I'm thinking of giving it a try.

5. Honey Trap has always been a Lush favourite of mine but since the new formula has come out making it preservative free and a whole lot creamier I just cannot get enough of it.

6. Blowfish shoes are the comfiest I've ever found. I have a pair of their boots and they get me through 8 1/2 hour shifts on my feet ache free so for spring and summer I'd like to invest in a pair or two of their pumps and think these red velvet ones are gorgeous.

7. Finally is the much raved about milk_shake whipped cream leave in conditioner. I've eyed this up lots of times and never bought it but I think I deserve a treat after an uber busy month :)

So thats my lust list this month. What are you looking forward to treating yourself to? Have you got any of these goodies? What do you think of them?
Annie x

Makeup Mugshot- Spring is Springing!

Today has really felt like spring is on its way; through the cold air the sun has been shining and the crocuses have popped out. To get in the mood for spring I went for light, fresh looking makeup today (even though I have huge eye bags from not sleeping much last night and having only got up half an hour earlier!)

Look how light it was at 7.30 this morning! Spring must be here!

Products used:

Face:
Bourjois 123 Perfect foundation in light vanilla
Rituals Gemstone enriched blush in Sunglow Pink
theBalm Fratboy blush
Lush Emotional Brilliance translucent face powder
Lush Feeling Younger skin tint

Eyes:
Bobbi Brown powder in mahogany on brows
Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Pastel Pink
Lush Sophisticated cream eyeshadow
Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara

Lips:
Max Factor colour elixir lipstick in Bewitching Coral

What do you think of todays look?...minus the eyebags that is. I'm loving the fresh, dewy look at the moment, it really is getting me excited for spring and summer to come. Are you getting that spring feeling?
Annie x

Makeup Mugshot: Minerals and Shimmer

Today has been amazing so far, I got offered a new job which I'm really excited to start, the sun has been shining and actually giving off warmth aaand I've been shopping (photos here). To celebrate such a fab day I'm going out this evening with my lovely mummy :)

Today I kept makeup pretty simple, going for subtle cheeks and lips, a little shimmer on the eyelids but lots of super black mascara, I just love the look of my lashes with the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara *review here*
Lolly the Grumpy Kitty is having one of her clingy days and growls whenever I try to move her from my lap so she's in my mugshots too today haha.

Products used:

Face:
Bourjois 123 perfect foundation in light vanilla
Lush sheer face powder in emotional brilliance
Miners blush and bronze duo
Bare Minerals warmth all-over
Benefit High Beam
Topshop Brighten concealer pen

Eyes:
Bobbi Brown mahogany shadow on brows
Bobbi Brown baby pink shadow all over lid
Catrice Made to Stay cream eyeshadow
Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Mascara

Lips:
MAC Brave lipstick

It always amazes me listing down what I've used just how much makeup it takes to look like you...only a bit better because I'd definitely call my very made up face a natural look. Madness eh what we do to feel confident :)
Have a good monday! I am!
Annie xx

Makeup Mugshot #10 New Hair!

Today I was treated to an amazing Toni and Guy haircut(*) in their Bath New Bond Street store by Jordan, one of their uber friendly stylists. I thought, new season, new style so I've gone for quite a change.

I have my beloved fringe back, all thick and choppy again, oh how I missed it during the summer. We also decided to take about 3 inches off the length which has given a lot more volume back.
On to the makeup!
At the moment I tend to use the same Bourjois foundation (123 perfect in light vanilla) each day. I also used MAC Fleet Fast blusher and Lush Feeling Younger skin tint to brighten the look up.
On my eyes I used Bobbi Brown Mahogany eyeshadow to fill my brows, MAC Painterly paint pot as a base colour, Maybeline Colour Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze all around the eye, lined the water line with Bobbi Brown Charcoal kohl eyeliner to define and finished with Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara.
On my lips I used MAC Red Racer lipstick after having a good old scrub with Lush Bubblegum lip scrub.

What do you think of my new hair? I've so missed the fringe!
Annie x

FOTD- Sushi Time!

Hello,
This week has proven to be so stressful so far. On tuesday I ventured over to Bristol for the Benefit recruitment day which was hours of interviewing, learning, makeuping and sell sell selling. I was proud to get through the day as its no secret I have zero confidence when it comes to approaching people and trying to force makeovers on the unsuspecting public was definitely out of my comfort zone. I didn't get offered a job but I was so proud of myself for not running a mile in the opposite direction and hiding amid the slippers or anything else equally as useless :) In all seriousness though, I do need to find a job with more hours than I'm doing now so if anyone knows of any going near Bath/Bristol then do let me know!

This evening is date night. Well, loosely anyway. Daniel and I are going to brave the rain and enjoy a meal at Yo Sushi, making the most of Blue Thursday where every dish on the belt is £2.40 each. Needless to say, this will involve much over excitement and a lot more self restraint than either of us possess so there is likely to be a sushi induced food coma going on later.
As its kind of date night, I thought I should make a bit of effort so here is my makeup for the evening.

I went for a pretty natural look, trying out some of my new bits of makeup and just adding a little colour to my eyelids.
At the moment I am totally obsessed with clear, glowing skin so I spent most time fussing over my cheeks and hiding MONSTER pores around my nose.

I got sent a new Avon eye quad in a swap that I tested out on my eyes, its hard to see in the photos but I've blended purple into brown along the eyelid and then gently flicked it out at the corner. I hardly ever use eyeliner these days, instead I use a small concealer brush to sweep coloured eyeshadow along the lid as it gives a softer colour but where the brush is fairly dense it still gives a good pay off.

What I used:

Face:

• 17 Photo Flawless Face Primer
• Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
• EsteeLauder Double Wear Concealer
• Natural Collection Loose Powder
• MAC Fleet Fast Powder Blush
• Bourjois Pastel Blush in Lilas D'or
• Lush Feeling Younger Skin Tint

Eyes:

• Sleek Brow Kit in Dark
• Bourjois Eyeshadow 05
• Avon 24K Gleam of Gold quad
• Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara

Lips:

• No 7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in Devine

Phew, big list. Amazing how much you use to create such a soft look eh!

What do you think of todays look? What style have you been favouring lately?

Annie x

Fast and Fruity Nail Varnish Remover vs Bourjois 1 Seconde

Hello,
It seems like every beauty blogger in the land has blogged about the infamous Bourjois 1 seconde nail varnish remover and fallen in love with it. Lets just say that I've tried it, I understand why, but I also know I wouldn't ever pay £4.99 for a tub of nail varnish remover, no matter how well the formula works; it just doesn't feel like a good use of my money.
So the other day when I was browsing the isles of Home Bargains and came across Fast and Fruity nail varnish remover from Easy Nails for just 85p I thought I'd give that a go instead.

The basic idea behind this remover is the same as the Bourjois tub where you pop your finger in the top, twist for a few seconds and then remove it to find that all of the nail varnish has magically been removed quickly and effortlessly.
Let me say that I really was amazed how well this worked for so little money. I would actually say that it worked just as well as the Bourjois offering, even on glitter polish which was pleasing. The product doesn't claim to have as many fab extras, such as containing almond oil that is good for your nails but for 85p I can't fault it.

For 85p, the pot contains 50ml which is where I really must stress how hugely over priced I feel the Bourjois offering is. For the £4.99 you pay, you only get 25ml more product which seems rather a big mark up to me. Ho much profit do they make per pot I wonder?
Anyways, the smell of the product is one of my favourite things about it. Whilst the pot claims that it is peach scented I find that once the initial polish remover scent has subsided, you're left with a really nice vanilla smell which is soft and in a weird way, quite comforting. You don't end up with the whole house smelling of chemicals and there's no headache brought on by needing so much product at a time.
If you're looking for a well priced, well working nail varnish remover that's easy to carry around with you and doesn't stink the house out then this is definitely a product to try and in my eyes, makes far more financial sense.
What's your opinion of the Bourjois remover? Would you try a cheaper alternative instead?
Annie x

NOTD- Nails Inc Emerald Street

Hello,
Now the weather is cheering up, I am loving bright nails so I was excited to try out one of my new polishes; Emerald Street by Nails Inc.
And I wasn't disappointed! The colour is a beautiful deep green which has a gorgeous sparkle to it. I was also happy to see that it applied opaque in just one coat which is a bonus for people as impatient as me who just cannot bear waiting for coat after coat to dry.

Over the top of Emerald Street I applied a generous layer of my favourite Bourjois glitter polish. Its part of their one second application range so hasa wide brush that you just sweep across the nail once and bam, instant whole nail coverage :)

I have to say that I wasn't overly inspired by this combination so I have now removed it and replaced with Maliblush from the Nails Inc Cocktail Collection topped with a pretty coat of Carnival by Technic. When I get paid I'm thinking about investing in a set of nail art pens so that I can channel a little more creativity than just applying glitter over a base!

In other news, have any of you heard about the first iFabbo conference and meet up in London which is taking place in Kettner's on 26th May. I will be there and am already so excited. Will any of you be going along? It would be great to meet some of you lovely ladies who's blogs I read and put a face to the names :)
Annie x