What's in my make-up bag....

Hey everyone! Well I thought this weekend as the weather is miserable and I am not going anywhere I would do a what's in my make-up bag post!

I have not done any reviews recently because I am testing for beauty bible and you aren't allowed to blog about the products until the book its released so I can't talk about anything I am using!!

So, I will start with the first thing that I put on and that primer. I get a lot of redness on my skin and I thought I would test out MAC's neutralising primer. This is rather thick and oddly for a neutralising primer, Yellow! It was a bit scary at first but I think it works...the yellow tone of it means that it covers redness, maybe not as much as a green one would, BUT its so easy to cover with your foundation! I have found with some of the green ones I end up looking a funny colour!

As you can see there are 3 different types of foundation and a BB cream in there! The BB cream is by Iroisie and is from Amarya, its a really thick cream so a little goes a long way and its just beautiful. All natural ingredients so no nasties to worry about and makes the skin look great! I usually use this at the weekends during the day. The 3 foundations are MAC matchmaster in shade 1.0, an Estee Lauder 10 day sample of double wear in ecru and Chanel perfection Lumiere in beige rose.
I this photo the MAC and Estee lauder look similar shades but the Chanel looks totally different! The Chanel isn't actually that different in real like but it does have more pink to it than the others! What I wear on a day to day basis depends on how I am feeling and also what my skin is doing! The MAC and Estee lauder are much heavier than the Chanel so get used on bad skin days mostly.

My fave concealer ever is MAC studio finish concealer, it covers everything! Although I do think I need to get something different for under the eyes, this can be a little dry. I have hit the pan on this now after about 6 months of usage...I still think I will have it for at least another 4-5 months though! This is one of the last 2 things in my project 5 pan.

I am currently trying out MAC's translucent setting powder from the prep and prime range! It is quite good but I think I prefer the slight bit of extra coverage my Estee Lauder powder gives me.

The Blush is Clinique in the shade innocent peach, I have been using this for over a year now and as you can see, I haven't exactly made much of an impact on it! Oh the joys of being pale!! I never seem to use up blushers but I am getting bored of this one now...would love to see the little satisfying silver spot of the pan soon.

I am still working on my body shop shimmer cube!! 9 months now I think! it is definitely going to be used up soon though, either that or I will get too bored and change it! got my moneys worth though so I will be OK with not finishing this up if it comes to that!

The mascara is essential care and is another beauty bible product so I cant say anything about that booooo!

Black eyeliner is from the body shop and it great, it stays put all day! I tend to only line my top lashes during the day so this will last me forever!

Benefit high beam glow is used as a highlighter under the brow but I also use it in the corners of the eyes. you really only need to use a tiny amount of this so this lasts for ages. I got this with my boots points so was well chuffed! things are always better when they are free!

And finally lip products, the black lipstick is an Avon one which I am using up as part of my project 5 pan..it is almost there, about 2 weeks left I would say! The bare minerals buxom lip gloss is a shade called dolly, I love this lip gloss! its really natural looking but gives enough colour to look like you have something on and it makes your lips sooooo tingly! I would recommend it for anyone that loves plumping lip gloss. There is also an E.L.F luscious liquid lipstick in raspberry. This is a really nice pink colour but is not too bright. the vanilla mint flavouring is really nice and again gives that tingle to the lips, the only downside I would say is it does not last very long on the lips!

What's in your make-up bag? I would love to know what your everyday products are!

A Return to Blogging - Empties!!

Well Hellooooo everyone!

Its been a long time since I last did a blog post and there is one simple reason for that....I went off and got married! Then had a long honeymoon in the Azores which was lovely and I didn't want to come back!

I thought I would start with another empties post and a bit of an update on my project 5 pan! Considering how long its been (about a month and a half!) I don't actually have that many empties at the moment. Saying that though I am on the verge of finishing a couple of other things so there will probably be another empties post at some point in the near future.

1. Caudalie Gentle Cleansing cream - This cleanser was nice and removed all my make up but I wouldn't say that for the price it was anything special. I won this in a competition on the amarya facebook page but I don't think it is something I would buy for myself.

2. Decleor aroma cleanse mattifying toner - I really like this toner and used it along with the decleor cleansing gel from my last post. This is again a 400ml bottle and had lasted waaaay over 6 months! It smells delicious and fruity and does leave the skin feeling matte but not tight like some other toners for oily skin can. I think I would buy this again but I have other toners to use up at the moment so it depends on how they go!

3. Rituals Shower Foam - Well what can I say about this!? its the only product from glossybox I have ever really loved and I have it stockpiled! I love the smell of this one and the fragrance lingers on the skin for a long time. I would definately repurchase this after I have got through my stash!!

4. Skin Blossom conditioner - This was a beauty bible tester product so I have to keep Schtum about this one! Full review will come when I am allowed to post about it!

5. Macadamia deep repair masque - I can not live without this hair mask! It is my fave hair treatment ever, it smells yummy and does the job it says on the tin. The moisturising effects last for a long time so it only needs to be used every 1-2 weeks. Love this and have already repurchased. I am using a different mask at the moment which is from before I fell in love with this. I am on a mission to use up all my stockpiled toiletries but nothing can match up to this :-)

6. Manicare brush shampoo - This was from a discount store and cost about 99p! It is ok but I wouldn't go out of my way to find it again, I prefer baby shampoo or for the more stubborn make-up removal fairy liquid!! 

7. Elemis gentle rose exfoliator - this is a bit of a meh product for me, I thought it would be great due to the reviews but I don't like it. I don't feel it exfoliates at all and prefer something a little more harsh. Would I buy this again? at over £25 a bottle for 50ml no...give me St Ives over this any day!

8. Loreal telescopic lashes waterproof mascara - This is the first time I have tried this mascara and I wasn't wowed by it. The staying power was great but I didn't like the brush at all and it made my lashes stick together, the brush is more like a comb which I didn't know until I bought it and got it home. I prefer big fat brushes that grip your lashes and pull them through to coat them. I wouldn't repurchase this.

9. REN Active 7 eye gel - This is a really refreshing eye gel and gets rid puffyness really well, it is especially good if you put it in the fridge. BUT it did nothing for my dark circles so I don't think I would go out and buy this. This was a sample from an Amarya box and I am really starting to love REN as a brand based on the things I have tried from them!

10. Benefit the porefessional - This was part of my project 5 pan and its now officially finished! I really like this primer but not willing to invest in a full size yet as I have lots of others lines up to try...will need to see how all of those work out before I confirm if I will buy or not but so far this is top of the list of primers!

11. Lavera hand cream. - This hand cream is lovely, its creamy, fresh and soaks in well. It also smells really nice and sweet. Again this was a sample in an Amarya box (can you see a pattern emerging here?!) and I will be investing in a full size after I have used up my multiple other samples and hand creams! I am torn between this and my L'Occitane hand creams...I think L'Occitane are better for winter as they are slightly more rich!

12. Blistex - I get through about one of these a month and you can't beat it for getting rid of chapped lips! Mine seem to be chapped constantly and I am a lip product addict! I am always looking for the next fix and have lip balms and treatments EVERYWHERE! I always buy blistex though so its just a staple in my beauty routine!

13. FAB face cleanser - This was a Glossybox sample and I have been using it in the shower as my shower facewash because taking my normal facewash from the sink to the shower is just way too much effort! This made my face feel clean and foamed well but left me with a bit of tightness after the shower so because of this I don't think I will be repurchasing.

14. Estee Lauder double wear mineral make-up - This is also part of project 5 pan and is as empty as I can get it...there is still a little bit of powder in there but I can't get it out the sifter! I really like this as a setting powder and it gives a nice matte finish. It also gives just that little bit more coverage to your foundation and lasts ages! This 12g pot lasted about 9 months so its good value for money too. I do have one of these in my stash waiting to be opened but at the moment I am trialling MAC prep and prime compact powder.

Have you used any of these products? If so what did you think? 

August/Sept empties!

Hey everyone!

I wanted to do my first empties post a bit earlier than this but I have been using enormous bottles of everything that seem to last forever! I feel I have enough now to justify this post!!

Well here is what I have used over the course of august (and in some cases further back!!) and what has passed of this month! apologies for the naff photo but the weather here is awful and I have had to put the lounge light on which gives off a very yellow glow!

I thought I would start with the hair products...I do love hair products but still need to find that one amazing product which will give my superstar style shiny locks!

I seem to get through a lot more conditioner than shampoo because I have really long hair and smother it in the stuff! So I will go from left to right...

• Organix morrocan argan oil conditioner: I really did not like this product at all! I don't think it did anything for my hair and it was really heavily perfumed so irritated my scalp! I don't know how they can justify calling themselves Organix...there's nothing organic about this! Repurchase? No Way!

• Herbal essences fresh balance shampoo and conditioner: I really like this shampoo and conditioner, It keeps my hair fresh for longer than anything else I have used and has a nice delicate fragrance. I go back to this time and time again but find if I use it for too long my scalp does start to get a bit irritated (as you are probably starting to gather, I have a very sensitive scalp!!) Repurchase? Yes.

• Lush Veganese conditioner: I LOVE the smell of this conditioner and it doesn't irritate me BUT it is just too light for my hair, it doesn't seem to condition the ends enough and my hair still looks a bit frazzled :-( its a shame because I do really like this. Repurchase? No, but I would like to try some other lush conditioners!

• Elemis melting cleansing gel: This is gorgeous..it smells of orange and feels very fresh on the face, it melts off all make-up and is one of my fave cleansers. It doesn't last as long as others I have used but that may be because I am a bit greedy with it and use quite a lot. Elemis is one of my fave luxury brands and I will be using it for years to come!! Repurchase: Already have it stockpiled!

• Caudalie Vinosource S.O.S thirst quenching serum: I got this in a glossybox a while back and when we had a really hot week thought I would give it a go as its much lighter than my regular moisturiser. Its lovely and it really hydrates but I think for winter I will need to stick with something richer. Repurchase? Maybe next summer (if we get one!!)

• Body shop coconut shower gel: I know a lot of people like this but I really didn't. It was moisturising but I don't think it smelled at all like coconut and the bubbles left my shower all sticky! I prefer the fruity ones or the Shea butter range. Repurchase? Nope.

• Decleor cleansing gel for oily skin: This is a 400ml bottle and I have been using it for about 6 months! I really like this cleansing gel and it is very light and refreshing on oily skin. The fragrance is very delicate and its not a foaming cleanser so doesn't dry out the skin. Repurchase: probably at some point but I have others I want to try.

• L'Occitane verbena hand wash: This is a 500ml refill and lasts about 4 months (with only me using it!) I love this hand wash and have it in every place I need hand wash in the house! It keeps hands in great condition and smells divine! Repurchase: another thing I have stockpiled!

• Mitchum anti-perspirant: This is the only anti-perspirant I use...I don't really like sprays because they seem to make me sneeze and this lasts all day! The blue and pink ones smell really nice and girly too which is a bonus! Repurchase: Already have.

• Clinique even better dark spot correcter: I have already reviewed this earlier this month. I really like it and it works but its so expensive! Repurchase? Maybe when I am feeling rich! on the look out for something just as good!

• MAC Matchmaster make-up: This is my usual make-up of choice  but I have just discovered Chanel perfection Lumiere which I also love. I now have a bottle of both so I can swap and change when I feel like! The MAC is heavier coverage so tends to get used on bad skin days and was part of my project 5 pan so that's one down! 4 to go!! Repurchase: Already have.

• Perfumes: Prada Candy: I quite liked this scent but it didn't seem to last very long on me. Repurchase? nope sorry! Victor and Rolf, flowerbomb: I really like this perfume and it is now on my list of wants, this one seems to last quite well on me. Repurchase? Its on the list! Roberto cavalli: I liked this enough to go and buy myself and my mum a bottle! It reminds me very much of a perfume my mum used to wear when I was little but I don't remember what it was! Repurchase? Already have! Marc Jacobs, Oh lola: I love Marc Jacobs perfumes and collect the bottles! this is the only one I don't have so again this is another one on the wants list! Repurchase? again on the list!! Memo Paris, Lalibela: This is one of my fave samples...I adore this perfume and it lasts for ages! its a shame it is so hard to get hold of and is so expensive! I may have to treat myself to this at some point in the future! Repurchase? YES!!

have you used any of these products? if so I would love to know your opinion on them too! I think that's enough from me for now though! time to go use some more goodies up!! 

Michelle xxx 

Review - Clinique even better clinical dark spot corrector

Hey everyone,

I thought I would review this product as I haven't many reviews on it and those that I have seen have been quite negative. This will be a positive one!

Clinique claim that this product can fade dark spots by up to 53% in 2 weeks..that means you need to buy 2 50ml bottles of this to see a difference and at £54 a pop that's extremely expensive if you don't know if it will work for you!

I decided to take the plunge and invested in a 50ml bottle which is supposed to last 6 weeks using it twice a day. The consultant on the counter said that the dark spots on my face from acne should start to fade after about 4 weeks of usage so off I went with my colour chart having matched my blemishes to one of the darker tones :-( ready to try out what had been hailed to be a miracle product for those of us who are far from perfect!!

The product itself has no fragrance and is none oily which is a definite bonus for me as with sensitive oily skin they are two things I like to avoid! You only need 2-3 pumps to cover the whole of the face and the serum is silky smooth as absorbs into the skin well. If you put too much on, like I did the first couple of times, you tend to get a 'film' forming on the skin which I have seen a couple of people mention in reviews. If this happens you just need to use less!

After 4 weeks of usage I was impressed! My skin felt smooth, looked glowy and my scars were beginning to fade...this is by no means a overnight wonder product, it does need to be used day and night over a course of weeks to see a difference. Sunscreen or a moisturiser with a high SPF is essential with this product as the sun can make dark spots worse.

I continued with this product for the full 12 weeks and the scar I based the colour chart on faded by 4-5 shades! It really works! The only problem is that I get spots constantly so fresh dark spots are appearing all the time!

If I had the cash I would use this constantly to keep my skin in check but over the course of a year that would mean I would be spending £486 on one product alone!! I just don't think I can justify that so sorry Clinique but you have priced me out of this one!

If anyone knows of any cheaper alternatives to this I would love to hear about them!

Michelle xx

Project 5 Pan

Hi everyone, 

This is my first project pan post and anyone that knows me knows I NEED to do this! Just to get rid of some stuff! I have waaaay too much, but I am sure I am not the only one out there ;-)

So these are the items I have decided to use up!!!

1. Benefit porefessional 7.5ml

2. Estee Lauder Double wear mineral rich loose powder makeup

3. MAC Matchmaster foundation

4. MAC Studio finish concealer

5. Avon Lipstick in Pink (this is similar to a Revlon) lip butter

The benefit has been about half used and I stopped using it because I got the Stila one in the Selfridges box! This is something I really need to stop doing and I need to finish products BEFORE I crack open the new ones but I am like a child with toys...I MUST play with the new ones! this should get used up soon!

The Estee Lauder has been on the go for about 8 months now and there isn't too much left (pic below). I originally bought this as a foundation but its terrible! It gives hardly any coverage and doesn't last the day. However, I have found that it makes a really good setting powder so that's what I have been using it for and thats why it has lasted me so long!

The MAC matchmaster has been my foundation of choice for a while now, simply because its the only one I have found that matches my skin tone closely enough and provides enough coverage for my liking! I am uber pale! I have just discovered Chanel perfection lumiere suits my skin tone really well so I am keen to get the MAC finished so I can invest in a bottle of Chanel! The level is down to the 'matchmaster' writing now so not long to go!

The MAC concealer has also been my concealer of choice for a while now but I am currently treating my skin with zineryt and it is getting quite dry on the chin. This is where I put my concealer to cover my acne scars and it is tending to go quite 'cakey' after an hour or so. If anyone has any suggestions for good concealers for pale skin that is a little dry, let me know! Would love to try a new one out!

I have chosen to use up the avon...just because really! its been sitting there for a while now and its a nice neutral pink so is good for everyday use! they don't make this one any more so I think its about time it went bye bye!

As an additional thing..not part of project pan as I thought it was too ambitious, I have been using a body shop shimmer brick as my everyday eyeshadow for about 9 months now...its not even half gone! I am determined to use ALL of this up but its going to take me a long long time even using it every day! I have included a photo to show usage against one I have not used. I love this but its slightly annoying that its lasting so long because I want to buy something new!! Maybe it should have a 'project' all of its own called 'project shimmer brick'!

are you doing project pan? If so I would love to hear what you are trying to use up too!!

Hello World, I'm Back! - Prairie Charms bracelets

Hello everyone!

Well I have been absent from blogging for a bit now...I was ill and a bit run down so decided to take a break from everything and rest & recharge! BUT I am back live and kicking now so as I sit here supping my peppermint tea (Ok, maybe not fully recovered yet!) I am going to tell you about my latest purchase!

A while back during #bbloggers chat, I was contacted by a company called Prairie Charms asking if I wanted to take part in their bloggers collaboration. I thought, hey why not...I am new to all this so lets give it a go!

The company offered bloggers a special deal on their bracelets and the chance to win a collaboration to design your own lovely piece. 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the bracelets goes to Great Ormond Street Hospital which basically sealed the deal for me! Having spent a fair amount of time in hospital as a child I know how important it is to have somewhere special for children to be treated at a time when they are feeling scared and vunerable and every single penny counts.

My bracelets arrived shortly after I ordered them wonderfully packaged and I could not wait to get them open!

The bracelets I ordered were Payton, Maddie and a further black wooden beaded one that is no longer featured on the website (pictured below)!!

I used to make jewellery as a hobby and understand that a lot of time, effort and thought goes into the making of pieces so I have the greatest respect for the girl(s) that make these. I also like the fact that whenever you are wearing them its just a little reminder that you did something wonderful and contributed to the work of an amazing charity!

Keep up the good work Prairie Charms!!

Michelle xxx

And the winner is.....

As soon as I got home today I got cracking on my 'prize draw!' I put all the names on small bits of paper like you do for secret santa and put them into a hat (or bag in this case!)

I then shook them about a bit and pulled out the lucky winner!

And the Winner is SANDRA from Beauty Balm !! Well done Sandra...the goodies will be making their way to you soon! xx