Magazine Madness July 2012

I love this time of month when all the magazine are new on the shelf and decided to go to my local Sainsburys and see what free gifts are on offer.  I bought two copies of Easy Living for the two free Rituals products and Glamour (they only had one choice of free gift left)


Easy Living had a choice of two gifts
Mei Dao Body Cream

Wai Wang Body Scrub

I can't wait to try these out as have heard so much about Rituals.


With Glamour I picked up The Pore Fessional

Has anyone else seen any great free gifts?

Nails - Black Taxi Nails Inc

I know that this black is not usually a colour you associate with summer but I have wanted this shade for so long I couldn't wait to try it out.

I love this shade the finish is amazing so glossy and the coverage is amazing as usual, think if you were in a real rush you could get away with just one coat.  I applied two coats with Nails Inc basecoat and topcoat 

 I cant wait to try this one out with Burlington Arcade as the photo's online look amazing.


I picked this up at Debenhams whilst the summer spectacular was on but can be bought from nailsinc.com

Sample Sunday - Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint

I have collected quite a few samples since I started blogging so thought I would try and review one every Sunday.  I decided to start with Liz Earle Sheer Tint  as I was really excited to try this as I have fell in love with Cleanse and Polish.  

I was given the samples when I repurchased Cleanse and Polish and was given three of the four colours

01 Bare Fair Skin Tones

02 Beige Medium Skin Tones

03 Beach Medium to Dark Skin Tones

I was quite surprised by the texture as it was a lot thicker then I expected.  I did find the formula very heavy and left my skin which is normal/combination sticky.  I would have preferred the product if it had been lighter in formula as I found it quite heavy and sticky on my skin.  

I haven't seen a sample of the darkest shade but don't think the range of colours is very impressive.  The coverage is in between a tinted moisturiser and a foundation so not sure how easy it would be to find an exact colour match with such a limited colour range.

I used 01 Bare and did find that it evened out my skin tone but wasn't amazed by the finish.

Would I purchase this product no but I did like that it had an SPF as their Skin Repair Moisturiser does not.

Nails Inc - Jubilee

I picked this up yesterday along with some other Nails Inc at my local Debenhams

I have been so excited about this polish since they announced they would be doing a limited edition polish to celebrate the Jubilee and with the Olympics knew this would be perfect colour for summer 2012.


I do love the crystal cap but did get Will and Kate last year with these caps and they do fall off frequently.

The polish is different size pieces of glitter in red, white and blue it did take three coats to get the coverage I liked but the coats do dry quickly.

As always used my Nails Inc base and top coat

You can get the polish on nailsinc.com but I picked mine up at my local Debenhams and received 10% off

Nails Inc Haul

I know I have a problem when it comes to Nails Inc but I have needed (not wanted) the Jubilee polish since they said they were doing one.  My boyfriend said that he would treat me to and we did look at getting it online but with P&P of £3.95 decided to wait till it hit the shops.  My lovely friend Gemma also said that there was 10% off Nails Inc at Debenhams so had to visit.

The Jubilee polish is a glitter polish with red, white and blue pieces.  As it is a limited edition polish it comes in a beautiful box and a crystal cap.  I have had some of the crystal cap polishes before and they do tend to fall off but they do look amazing.  With the discount the polish cost £13.50 which is a bargain.  I did pick up two (one for the lovely Gemma as she doesn't live in the city)

I also picked up Black Taxi which I have wanted for ages but always seems to be out of stock.  This will look gorgeous under Burlington Arcade which featured in my recent  Nails - Night Out post. Was over the moon that I got this finally and at £9.90

As the two Jubilee and Black Taxi came to over £35 I got a free gift which was a bag, a nail file and two polishes

The two polishes were Devonshire Row a deep rich lilac

And Warwick Way a bright teal

Am so happy that I finally got Jubilee and Black Taxi with 10% off and four free gifts.

Please note that I think the 10% off ends Sunday 27th May.

Avon Shine Attract Lipstick

This was another purchase after seeing it on one of Tanya Burr makeup tutorials the shade is Guava P401.  I don't usually wear lipstick prefer lip gloss or lip balm but thought that I would give this a try.

I got this from my Avon Representative but this can be bought online I would say that if you can find a Representative I would use as you don't have to pay P&P.

Back to the actual lipstick the colour is in the core and surrounded by a clear firm gel. 

The result is a gorgeous shiny colour.  One application is very sheer but can be built up with more applications.

 

The colour is very wearable and lasts very well.  I did find that this wasn't drying which is why I don't usually wear lipstick.

Very pleased with this product another great recommendation from Tanya



Nails Inc Ahead of the Trend Collection May Auto Delivery

Three months ago I purchased a Nails Inc Today's Special Value from QVC which was a 7 piece collection including Baker Street and Piccadilly Arcade which you can still purchase online.  I went for the auto delivery option which means I got another 7 piece collection in May and August at the same price.  Whilst I was away the May delivery arrived.

The colours are from left to right

Phillimore Gardens

Kensington Gate

Elverton Street

Hammersmith 3D Glitter

Cumberland Street

Hobart Place

Pont Street Mews

I am so excited to try these out cant wait to use Hammersmith 3D Glitter and Kensington Gate.

I have been unable to find any of these shades available on nailsinc.com or on QVC, they only have the original collection but they have got some shows coming up later in May so will keep an eye out.



Nails - Piccadilly Arcade

I am taking part in Race For Life tomorrow and decided that I should paint my nails pink, after going through all my pinks decided on Piccadilly Arcade from Nails Inc

I got this as part of a set from QVC I cant find it on Nails Inc website so assume its is a QVC exclusive. 

The picture above doesn't show how bright the shade is, but the below does better

As always used two coats and Kensington Caviar Base and Top Coat this shade does seem to have a slightly thinner formulation than other Nails Inc but still dries very quickly with a thick layer.

Really looking forward to the Race for Life tomorrow

Haul - What I purchased in York

I have just come back from four lovely nights in York, whilst there we went to York Designer Outlet which was just near our hotel, York races and into the city centre.   Had such a great time really didn't want to come back

At the Designer Outlet I bought a gorgeous set from The Body Shop for £17.40

Included was Divide & Multiply Mascara in black, Eye Definer in rich brown, Shimmer Cube Palette 07 and Wild Cherry Puree Body Lotion.  I don't think that the Shimmer Cube or the Palette are part of their current stock, but knew I had to get it as soon as I saw.

Could have bought a lot more in The Body Shop and the Outlet Mall but have been trying to be good.  This however did not last once I got to the city centre.

I have been watching some YouTube Vlogs from Fleur De Force and seen some products from Rituals featured I had never seen the products anywhere in Norwich so when I saw a shop in York I thought I would take a quick look.  I ended up buying three lovely products and could have happily bought lots more

I got Hanami Heaven Milky Bath Oil it smells beautiful perfect for a relaxing long hot bath, never tried a bath oil but I knew as soon as I smelt this I would have to get.

I bought Magic Touch Whipped Body Cream also as its the same fragrance I thought it would help the scent linger on the skin for longer and be a real treat for the skin.

I also got Yogi Flow Foaming Shower Gel as again the smell was heavenly but more uplifting and awakening so perfect for a morning shower.

I am dying to try these out, I am a bit upset that I don't have a stockist in Norwich but the sales lady said that the bets place to get online is johnlewis.com or houseoffraser.co.uk so not all bad.

I also treated myself to a new foundation Vitalumiere Aqua by Chanel, I bought from Fenwick I have heard so many people say that that Chanel foundations are fabulous so decided to see for myself.

The last thing I bought was Mini Diffuser set from Laura Ashley as I love reed diffusers in the bathroom

Cant wait to try everything out.

Nails - Lower Sloane Street Nails Inc

I am going away for a few days to York so decided to reach for my favourite Nails Inc Polish.

I was gifted this for my birthday in March as part of the A Listers Collection and I must admit that this has quickly become my go to colour.  Its a beautiful soft toffee colour, goes with everything and is the perfect colour for work.  I used two coats and Kensington Caviar Top & Base Coat

I love the A Lister Collection and at £25.00 for four beautiful colours think it is a bargain  The quality of the polishes is amazing and I know it will last 4-5 days before chipping.

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

After reading a review of this product from http://www.beautyjunkielondon.com I knew I had to get this product as I am forever painting my nails

I was so excited by this product thought it would great not to have faff around with cotton wool and smelly remover.  I got this at Boots and at £4.99 did think it was a bit expensive for a small bottle of remover but I knew I had to try it.

The first thing I will say is when you open the pot it does smell and not of red fruit and vanilla smells just the same as any other remover.

Inside the pot is some foam soaked in remover with a hole for your finger

In theory you stick your finger and turn then voila your polish is gone, in practise I had to repeat three or four times per nail.  I was wearing two coats of Baker Street from Nails Inc along with a top coat but I was still disappointed, I haven't tried it with glitter but not hopeful.

One thing I did like was that the after smell is very nice but your whole finger does get covered in the remover.

I will continue to use the product as its not awful but would not buy again.

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a good remover?

What's in my bathroom - The Body Shop Lychee Blossom Shower Gel

I have decided that with the number of products I have I need to start working my way through my stash.  So when I ran out of shower gel I decided to hunt through my products and see what I had, and what I fancied using.   I decided on The Body Shop Lychee Blossom Shower Gel which was gifted to me awhile ago.

I have had a look on The Body Shop website and it seems that this isn't available anymore which is a real shame as the scent is so summery and fresh.  Think it would be a lovely shower gel to take away on holiday.  Also it lathers up really well so think you could even shave with it.

Really disappointed that this isn't available anymore, but may have to make a trip into The Body Shop and see what they have in at the moment

Barry M Lip Gloss

After watching several Tanya Burr makeup tutorials I decided to buy a lip gloss that she has used lots, Barry M Lip Gloss number 11

I have never tried anything from Barry M but decided to give it try as it is only £4.49.  I picked mine up at my local Boots.  The first thing I have to say is the smell is absolutely divine it smells like fruity sweets and I would happily eat it.

The colour is gorgeous and although it doesn't last ages on what lip gloss actually does? The texture is lovely not too thick and sticky or runny.

I am very impressed with the product and may have to try out more Barry M as the value for money is excellent

Nails - Baker Street Nails Inc

I bought this colour a few months ago when it was included in a TSV (Today's Special Value) from QVC.  I can't remember exactly how much I paid but you can still purchase from QVC for £25.74 with 6 other shades or you can get on its own from Nails Inc for £11.00 both plus P&P

This polish has received a lot of press coverage as Beyonce has been snapped wearing it.  I must admit that if it hadn't been in the set I might not have bought it but when you can get 7 Nails Inc polishes for under £30.00 I just couldn't resist.

As always with Nails Inc the coverage is excellent and two coats really is all you need - I do always use my Nails Inc base and top coat however and it really does make a difference to the finished look.

Think it looks great on I have also enjoyed wearing a 'bang on trend' colour which will last around 4-5 days.

Am thinking of using Royal Mews next from this kit but let me know if you would prefer to see another colour

Nails Inc Kensington Hand Lotion

I was very excited when I received the 50mls of Nails Inc Kensington Hand Lotion for my birthday as I love their polishes.

The smell is absolutely gorgeous and it is so light that it just sinks into the skin.  It doesn't leave your skin greasy but fully moisturised and silky soft.

On the tube it does say that it helps 'your hands appear younger and smoother' and I can't say that I have noticed that my hands look dramatically different, but they are smoother.

You can purchase 100ml tube from nailsinc.com for £15.00 or a 250ml pump (although I am not sure if they are exactly the same formula).  I must admit it is more then I would spend on hand cream but I do love the product so may just have to treat myself when I run out.

Nails - Night out

For my night out I decided to use my new Burlington Arcade polish from Nails Inc

I first put on Kensington Basecoat Caviar



Then two coats of Berkeley Mews

Then finally two coats of Burlington Arcade

I think they look amazing its a lot of layers of polish but so worth it

Bank Holiday Treats

Yesterday my company let everyone leave work an hour early to celebrate the bank holiday weekend, so I decided to nip to the shops as my boyfriend who works nearby still had to work till 5.

I nipped to Boots and got some Eylure Evening Wear 101 false lashes after deciding that for my girls night out I would try a Kim Kardashian inspired make up look I found on youtube

I used my Boots points to buy and am quite looking forward to trying them out as have never worn false lashes before.

I also discovered that this months (June 2012) free gift with Instyle is Nails Inc so obviously had to search through the racks and try and find all three shades.

I picked up Power Pink

And Peach Sorbet

There was another shade called Bluebell but I wasn't sure I know my lovely colleague Gemma would get all three so thought I would wait and see how it looks on. 

I also nipped to Next and got some vest tops I got one in black and one in nude as they are two for £7