Ahava Mineral Body Lotion

My feelings about this product are a bit up and down - it definitely functions well as a product, but I had some very unfortunate side effects from using it...details spared!

The product is by a brand I've not heard of before called Ahava, a 'mineral body lotion' which as you can see from the picture has WATER written down the side. All this talk of minerals and water made me wrongly assume that it would be a gentle product, but it is actually very strongly fragranced and - to my horror - is not exactly suited to 'delicate' areas shall we say! So...probably not suitable for sensitive skin.

However, when applied to 'non-delicate' (!) skin, this works a treat. I applied straight over freshly shaved legs and they felt super smooth and hydrated with a subtle sheen for the rest of the day. It's a nice thick consistency that you can really get to work with, but absorbs pretty quickly and is non-greasy. In my personal opinion though, the fragrance is still too strong to be suited to an everyday lotion - I had a very strong washing powder smell following me around alllllll day!

Confessions of a Concealaholic

Firstly, I love love love this! As if I wasn't a massive fan of Benefit make-up already (I'm a slut for quirky packaging), this cheeky little palette zaps those dark circles like nobody's business.

I work A LOT. I'm currently juggling a full time 40 hour job, a 25+ hour weekend job, a part time degree, and life in general. As you can imagine, not only am I physically destroyed, but I actually LOOK physically destroyed too! I was getting pretty irate with people constantly commenting on how ill I look, so it was time to take action.

Basically, it came down to either a Bobbi Brown concealer - which I've heard is pretty damn good - or this palette from Benefit. Being the savvy girl that I am, I went for the more cost effective Confessions of a Concealaholic, which houses 6 products, 2 brushes and a cute how-to guide.

L-R/U-D: That Gal, Erase Paste, Boing (#1 and #2), Eye Bright, Lemon Aid, Brushes 

That Gal Primer

This is a pearly pink brightening primer lotion. Lots of people love this product, and it definitely made my complexion smoother and foundation went flawlessly on top, but unfortunately it was just no good for my oily skin. What is great about this product though is that it works brilliantly as a highlighter as it's pretty much the same colour as Benefit High Beam, or you can layer it over the under-eye concealer for a dewy, bright eyed look.

Lemon Aid

This product is designed to balance out purple and red discolouration on the eyelids with its yellow tone - it's pretty thick, so it really works at waking up a tired complexion and is a great base for eyeshadow and eyeliner to cling to, lasting all day.

Boing

Described by Benefit as 'industrial strength' concealer, they've got that right! Boing comes in shades 1 and 2 to match fair to medium skin tones, but you can obviously mix the two together for a custom colour. This is fantastic at covering dark circles, and like Lemon Aid, it is thick enough to last all day.

Eye Bright

I found this one a bit tricky to work onto my face and out of the palette, as it has been adapted from the original formula which comes as an eyeliner/shadow stick - it is too thick to get much off it with the little brush they supply, so I really don't know why they didn't just lob in a cute mini pencil? But, when you can get it out of the palette, this is a frosted pink product designed to be used on the inner corners of the eye to give that 'bright-eye/bushy tail' look I've been missing for a while. Such a simple product gives a great and lasting effect, and can be used up to the brow bone for highlighting or to lightly trace your cupid's bow (the little 'v' bit of your upper lip) and make lips appear larger.

Erase Paste

I'm sure I tried this in store back when it first came out and wasn't massively impressed with it, but if that's the case then I'm definitely converted now! Erase Paste works as a creamy concealer to brighten the under-eye area - it has light reflecting particles in it which give an impressive dewy, wide-awake look. I am really happy with this as shade #2 is a perfect match for my dark circles, and the fact that it comes in its own little pot means you can take it out of the palette and pop it in your bag. Brucey bonus!

I am really happy with all the products in the palette and think it's fantastic value at £29.50 - the concealers will last you for aaaaaaaaaaaaages, and I can't see any of the other products running out too quickly either. For me, the brushes are a bit of a waste of time since I think concealers blend better with fingers, but they are pretty sharp and precise so they're not bad quality. If that's your bag.

Blog Break

I have been a bit of a willy when it's come to updating my blog recently, especially after finding lots of new buys to write about! 

I have just spent a very enjoyable weekend in Windsor. I've not really ventured down south much other than the odd trip to Bristol and Exeter, so it was a nice little break to go somewhere completely different. This is the first full weekend I've had off since beginning of May, so the various pub lunches, dining out, drinks in Windsor and Ascot and walks around town was the exact R&R I needed :)

I can't say that I'm too enamoured with the London Underground, but I'm sure I will got used to it! I can't wait to go down again soon.

So, back to work it is! I have a few more reviews etc to update you with this week, so the plan is to try and blog every day *fingers crossed* I have yet another GlossyBox to share with you, which is always exciting stuff!

Upcoming Reviews

I am trying to work my way through (and photograph!) a LOT of new products I've been trying out lately. My August GlossyBox arrived about 10 days ago, and as it's mainly skincare and haircare products this time, I felt I should give them a few weeks testing to allow them to really do their business!

Soooo...upcoming reviews from my GlossyBox goodies include:

Daniel Sandler Jumbo Jet mascara

Ahava Mineral Body Lotion

KMS California Colorvitality Shine & Shield

Murad Time Release Blemish Cleanser

...they also came with some really gross snake-print nail wraps, but I daresay they're not my cup of tea!

I've been trying to make some changes to my general skincare and make-up over the last week too, as more and more people have been commenting on how tired I look all the time! So, more upcoming reviews include:

Benefit Confessions of a Concealaholic

Bare Minerals Overnight Transformation Treatment

Stay tuned! :)

Shoe-gasm Part Deux

I think by now it's pretty obvious that I like shoes. Just a little bit.

I ordered these Sam Edelman bad boys for a date at the weekend, paid extra for Saturday delivery and everything, and guess what?! Didn't fit. Major sad face. It's my own fault though for thinking that I should order strapless shoes shoes in a smaller size so I don't pop out of them and embarrassingly fall into the path of an unsuspecting victim. Not the first time I've said this within the space of a month, but you live you learn eh?!

Pure filth! And at £180, I think they've got style to rival Louboutins and a Balmain kind of edge to them.

So now I have to send them back and re-order (obviously I cannot be without them). But now the question is...which ones do I go for?

It took me ages to reach the decision that black was a more sensible option since they'll go with everything, but I am head over heels (see what I did there?) for the putty coloured peep toes. And the boots are kick-ass, and winter is around the corner. Hmmm. The peep toes weigh in at £180, and the boots priced at £200 from http://www.coggles.com/

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries

I watched a fantastically inspirational dvd yesterday featuring motivational speaker Nick Vujicic, called 'No Arms, No Legs, No Worries'.

Nick was born without any arms or legs, and after years of being teased by children, suffering depression and dealing with the public's looks of pity, he has had the strength of character to look past his situation and start spreading positivity.

Nick is an inspirational speaker all over the world, spreading his message that we should learn to love and accept ourselves exactly as we are, and never give up on your dreams.

Please check out some of his stuff on youtube, this man is a hero and teaches us that we are responsible for our own happiness whatever the obstacles:

You can also check out his website at http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/

Liberty Love

Oh. My. Days.

I am in love.

With this...

Barbour Classic Beadnell with Liberty Print Floral Lining, £219

As if I wasn't obsessed with Liberty prints enough already (not that I actually own anything yet), this little bad boy popped up on ASOS this weekend and it's love at first sight. Barbour, notorious for the classic waxed jacket, have collaborated with Liberty on a select few jackets in their collection to put a playful lining and injection of colour into some classic pieces.

I'm usually more of a fitted trench coat kinda gal - a few years ago I wouldn't be seen dead in anything that didn't fit tight around my figure like a bandage - but THIS...this is a deal-breaker. I actually really love the tomboy style and think it kicks any parka's ass as a Winter cover up.

Ahhh, here's the rub. Yes it is rather pricey at £219, but you're paying for a quality wardrobe staple that will only get better with age, as well as an iconic piece of Liberty magic. And as if I need to convince myself further with the lure of a detachable faux fur collar and hood...

Available now from ASOS at http://www.asos.com/

Epic Blender Fail

Well, boy did I get a good start to my Friday morning! In tribute to Wifey (who has abandoned me for 2 whole weeks to go 'home' to USA), I russled up a batch of experimental chicken soup last night and left it in the slow cooker, happily bubbling away till this morning. I was like a kid at Christmas when I woke up this morning to fresh soupy smells, so after my shower I plonked it all in the blender ready to whizzy it all up for lunch. And this is the part where it turned into 'epic fail'. Even with my hand placed firmly on the lid, the lid FLEW off and coated myself, Joben the cat and my walls, floor and ceiling in scalding chicken soup. I'm guessing that's why you're supposed to leave it to cool first? Luckily the burn marks on my arms, tummy and face have started to go down now, so I am a little more open to seeing the funny side of it! You live you learn eh? It was still fun to make, and more than mildly comical getting a second shower and hairwash done this morning to blast shredded chicken out of my hair.

Luckily, the experimental soup tastes pretty good!

Sent from my Sony Ericsson Xperia arc

Autumn/Winter in August

It's become something of a ritual of mine to check out my favourite clothes store websites on a daily basis, and I mean daily! Yep, Dorothy Perkins, River Island and ASOS get a cheeky morning visit off yours truly. So, I was somewhat surprised when I saw the fab new AW/11 collections flying into stores but couldn't resist the allure of some cosy knitwear!

After having a traumatic week (yes I'm being melodramatic) of doctors appointments, blood tests and the possibility of having intestinal parasites picked up on holiday in Turkey, I decided a cheery shopping spree would help mend the blues :) of course it worked.

From good old Dotty P's I picked myself up a pair of navy blue leggings (£18) seamed down the front, which are smart enough to wear to the office with an oversized white shirt or girly blouse, or will be great for weekends under new season knitwear and ankle boots.

Next up, I am an absolute whore for stripes and picked up this beauty for £28. Light enough to wear through autumn and winter, stylish enough to avoid looking like it belongs to Grandma. I particularly love the little frills on the shoulders :)

Dorothy Perkins £29.50

I've seen a lot of other knitted lovelies on the high street that I'm dying to pick up...



Intarsia Cape, Dorothy Perkins £25



Cable Brushed Lace Top, River Island £25



Fairisle Jumper, Dorothy Perkins £32



Striped Poncho, Dorothy Perkins £35


...and just because they're too pretty to overlook:



Lace Belted Dress, River Island £35



Tapestry Brogues, Dorothy Perkins £32

I have absolutely no idea what I would wear these brogues with, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE them.

Time to save some new season pennies ;)

I already got some bargain cream crochet brogues in the Dorothy Perkins sale for £15 which I think would look cute with this dress and a denim jacket chucked on top.

cute huh?

You can find all of the above items on http://www.dorothyperkins.co.uk/ or http://www.riverisland.com/

GlossyBox

I returned from a wee holiday in Turkey on my own last week (not nearly as sad as it sounds!), and had completely forgotten that I’d effectively treated myself to a new present every month. Enter http://www.glossybox.co.uk/

I first heard about GlossyBox on another blog and thought it sounded like a fantastic idea. You set up a profile on their website where they ask questions about your skin tone, hair colour, make-up routine and skin concerns (etc.), you pay £10 per month for your subscription and then each month they send you 5 FULL SIZE brand new products to try based on your profile. Well, I’m sure you can appreciate that it didn’t take long for me to part with my £10 and sign up straight away!

I was so impressed when Mr. Postie presented the package to me that I think I may be guilty of letting off a small girlish squeal. Just look at the packaging!

When I opened it there was another beautiful gift box inside (which I will be saving to put Christmas presents in!), and in that box the products were delicately wrapped in sophisticated black tissue paper and white grosgrain ribbon. It really did feel like my birthday. Inside I found...

Illamasqua Pure Pigment eyeshadow in Involve

Ciate Paint Pot

Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil

LP Skin Therapy Lip Rescue Gel

Ultrasun Anti-Ageing SPF for Face

L-R: Ultrasun Anti-Ageing SPF, Weleda Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil, Ciate Paint Pot, Illamasqua Pure Pigment, LP Skin Therapy Lip Rescue Gel

The Illamasqua Pure Pigment came out way better than I expected. Having green eyes, I am personally a fan of purple eyeshadows but find it a struggle to find one that’s not the colour purple you find in a children’s paint palette. Yeps, definitely more of an aubergine/plum kinda gal. I would say that this is the perfect mid-point between a lilac and a plum, and really makes my eyes pop – the shimmering particles really help to brighten the eye area. The formula is soft and super blendable, and you can use it for a wash of colour or build it up to create a strong smoky catwalk look and coloured eyeliner. We all know berry tones are so AW11 ;) It has come out a lot brighter in this image than it looks in true light, so don’t be put off!

Next up is the Ciate Paint Pot. I’ve seen these being sold on ASOS for a while now, but given their low price I always suspected they would be one of those cheapy nail varnishes that are a waste of money. How wrong could I be! This bad boy puts my Chanel and YSL nail varnishes to shame, just 2 coats was all I needed for a flawless finish and it has hardly budged in 7 days of wear. The colour is fantastic, it’s bright orange and fits in perfectly with summer’s colour-blocking trend (and my Turkish tan of course). The only thing that lets this down is that I can’t find the name of the colour on the pot!

Equally impressive is the Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil by Weleda. I find body oils such a pain in the bottom because they’re messy, greasy and can take an age to absorb into your skin. Luckily, given my peeling post-holiday skin I ignored my anti oil instincts and used this twice a day to keep my tan in tip top condition. It is ultra moisturising and you really do get the feeling that your skin is hydrated...plus it smells DIVINE. The scent reminds me of a clove and orange essential oil that I burn during Winter for that Christmassy smell. Another trick I’ve been using this oil for is as a replacement for shaving gel – seriously, this gives the smoothest legs ever!

This GlossyBox really has not let me down, because I adore the next product too. LP Skin Therapy Lip Gel (developed by TV psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos) is a lip gloss that plumps, moisturises, softens and even contains a herb extract to reduce anxiety and calm you down! *It is my new best friend* I usually hate lip glosses for that ever seductive ‘hair-stuck-to-face’ moment, but this isn’t sticky at all – your lips just feel sort of waterproofed. It does exactly what it says on the tin, the packaging is grown up and elegant, and it tastes like orange Opal Fruits! (they will never be Starburst to me, only Opal Fruits!).

I must admit that given the somewhat dull Liverpool weather we’ve had since I got back from the 44-50 degree heat of Turkey, I haven’t bothered to test out the suncream. If we are ever awarded with the rest of our summer I’ll be sure to test it out and review.

All in all, I was massively impressed with my GlossyBox. Considering these are all full-size products and the Illamasqua eyeshadow would have been £14 just on its own I think this is fantastic value and means I get to refresh my make-up bag with new products every month. Plus, when you log into your online account and review the products, you get one ‘glossy dot’ per review – when you have collected 100 you qualify for a free GlossyBox. Winner!

In other news, I have just 4 short weeks left of my Invisalign Refinement! Given that my dodgy incisor has finally decided to move into place, I am confident that this will be the end of my treatment. So watch this space for before and after pictures when I get my retainer J