My lip product collection

So today I have a half day from work because I'm getting my hair done, woohoo! They couldn't fit me in on a Saturday or evening before Christmas so I've had to take my last bit of annual leave for today. Bit annoying but it meant I get to take some pictures and blog! Yay. Finding it so hard at the moment to get good pictures due to leaving work when it's still quite dark and coming home in the pitch black! *note to self buy daylight bulb*

So I thought I'd show you my lipsticks/products collection. It's not very large as I've only recently got into colours on the lips, say in the last year. I have very dry and chapped lips and have always been wary about having big bold colours on my face. Like to keep things simple!

So you can see from the above picture that they are verrrry similar in colours. Lots of nude, a splash of red and a bit of pink - as well as my faithful lip butter! One thing I will say is that they are all from different brands.

Revlon Colour Burst Creme Brulee - post here - I got this as I was really intrigued by a moisturising lipstick but was too scared to get a bright colour. I really like it as it feels like you are just putting on a lipbalm and don't have to really be looking in a mirror! Tempted to purchase Raspberry Pie after seeing it on Corrie's blog.
MAC Shygirl - I bought this on my birthday last year probably as the first lipstick I purchased. I wanted something I could break myself in with and wear in the day or in the evening. This was perfect it has a hint of shimmer but it nude so doesn't look over the top during the day. The only thing I did find was that it showed up my chapped lips a bit so not so good on bad days.

17 Hot Chilli - This was a bit of a 'on a whim' purchase as I wanted to get a red lipstick - I had convinced myself that colour was okay by this point! I didn't want to spend a lot on something that may not suit me so opted for one from 17. It is more of a coral-red however the photo makes it look really orange! I found this quite nice but not so good on my dry lips so haven't really used it. A plus point for this one though is that the packaging is very sleek, making it look a lot more expensive.

Rimmel Kate Moss 101 - post here - This is, at the moment, my fave lipstick as it's soft, a beautiful natural colour and isn't too drying for my lips. I wore it everyday on holiday in October. The only thing I don't really like is the red packaging, I know a bit silly but I just find it a bit naff.

Natural Collection Crimson - So I picked this one up at the same time as the 17 one. I wasn't sure on the exact red I wanted so this one is a true, bright red. I actually really, really like this lipstick as it's a 'moisture shine' one so it means it nourishes my lips a little when I put it on and the pigment of it is amazing for a cheaper drugstore brand. I don't wear it often as I like to keep things simple so if I'm wearing colours in my clothes I tend to go for more natural lips.

Maybelline Babylips Peach Kiss - This is not available in the UK so I purchased it on holiday to USA as lots of bloggers kindly recommended it. I went for a nude colour to keep it safe (classic me) and am gutted I didn't buy the other colours as it is the softest lip product I've tried. It smells a bit like sweets and is actually pretty large so it will last a long time. If you get the chance to buy one - DO IT!

Boots Coconut & Almond Lip Butter - This is my holy grail of lip balm/butters. I was given one as a gift a long time ago and have continuously repurchased. I love products that smell of coconut as it reminds me of holidays so this is amazing. It keeps my lips soft and lasts quite a while. The only annoying thing about it is that the packaging gets grubby fast and the product gets stuck in your nails!! But I guess it's a butter not a balm.

So I hope this was interesting and has given you a bit of an insight into my lip habits. Hoping to get some pictures of my new hair so I will post about it on the weekend. Have a good rest of the week x

Ice Cream Nails

Hiya! I thought I'd do my nails a little bit different today and was tempted to try the ombre nails trend that I've seen a few fellow bloggers trying recently. I went up and poured out all my nail polishes and only had 4 that were the same colour (ish) but different shades. So unfortunately not this time round!

So, I've seen a lot of 'ice cream' shades in fashion this Summer so decided to pick the two colours I thought would go quite well together and just mess around a bit and put them together. Now I'm not good at all at nail art so I apologise for the roughness of my nails, but I like it all the same!

To create this look I used 17's Lasting Fix in Sweet Kisses and Barry M in Peach Melba, both of which have been used previously here and here.

Hope you like! Love to see any nail designs you've been trying this weekend.

NOTD - sweet kisses

Today I am wearing 17 Cosmetic's Sweet Kisses that I got on this haul. Sorry for all the 17 posts, am getting through my new products slowly but surely!

I was actually after the Fairy Cake shade but the Boots I went into didn't have it and some of the nail polishes had different names to the website, totally got confused!

Although it's purple I really like that it's quite subtle and can be worn with loads of different outfits. 

The polish is not very thick so two coats were definitely needed.

Do you like this shade? Have you got any other lasting fix colours?

Peep Show

Hello readers! Sorry for my lack of communication on pretty much all levels (blog and twitter). I have just finished my final year of University! Well, I have 4 exams in May but for now that it is and I feel so free. So back to my little hobby, blogging!

After my haul of 17 Cosmetics in Boots a few weeks ago I have been using my Peep Show mascara every day. I like to give mascaras a few days/a week before I decide if I truly like it because I like to get used to the new wand and the textures and get into the routine of what works best.

The mascara states to give you lengthened lashes from root to tip, voluptuous volume and no clumps but most of all a full, flirty flutter. I really like the end of it's description and it matches the packaging so well! It's quite Benefit-style, looking very girly but old-school.

Without Peep Show mascara

With Peep Show mascara

I definitely think the mascara lengthens but I wouldn't necessarily say that it helps to create volume. It hasn't put me off the product though as I think the 'flirty flutter' is key this season with looking effortless and simple. I really like how girly it makes my lashes look. My usual mascaras are quite volume heavy which can leave them looking stiff, I am liking the lighter look!



Hide & Chic

As freebies go sometimes they are not great quality but on some occasions they can introduce you to amazing new products.

I picked up my free 17 Cosmetics concealer (see how I got it free here) literally because it was free, I thought I may as well have it. I'm quite dubious about concealers as I do suffer from quite bad dark circles under my eyes and have a lot of redness in other areas. Before I found YSL's Touche Eclat I used a Clinique one and lots of other cheaper brands.

There were only two shades left in Boots, Light Rose or Light Beige. I decided to go for the Light Rose as I was told this is a good match for people with red undertones (like me!)

I tried the product this morning on the top of my MAC foundation, as I usually do and it took a few turns until the liquid began to cover the brush. The other thing I noticed is that there wasn't much product, it would run out very fast. I applied to one eye and had to twist again to do the other eye - which I don't normally do with my YSL.

Aside from these little flaws, which to be fair are acceptable at the low price of £4.99 I actually think I like it!! I expected to come home from Uni today, after having the product on for 5 hours, to look in the mirror and think oh my god what do I look like!! The total opposite happened, my under eyes look pretty good and I'm almost tempted to say they look better than when I use my YSL (did I actually just write that?!).

If you haven't picked up your freebie yet DO IT!

Makeup haul - 17 Cosmetics

After the 17 Cosmetic's Twitter party I posted about some products I wanted to purchase. (See it here) As I've finished my dissertation (wahoo, go me!) I thought I'd treat myself to some new spring nail polishes. The weather was trying to be sunny, but unfortunately it actually ended up pouring down by 3pm and my skinny jeans, blazer and pumps combo got soaked!

A lovely blogger mentioned to me that if you pop your Advantage card into the machine you can get a voucher for a free 17 concealer. Luckily you can still do this until the 20th (go go go!) I also needed a new mascara and, as I already had 4 17 Cosmetics products in my basket, I thought I'd give one of theirs a go.

Off I trotted to the till with my goodies and the assistant told me to go pick up another product, as it was 3 for 2. Now, I did know this but I thought as the concealer was free it would cancel out the 3 for 2 offer. I was totally wrong and manged to pick myself up a free blusher too!

I felt like such a bargainista walking out of boots with three free new pieces of makeup!!

Here's a lil piccy of what I purchased.

I'll write a review of my freebie concealer as well as the mascara soon :)

17's Twitter Party

This evening I joined in on 17 Cosmetic's Twitter party (#17cosmetics). I've never done anything like this before, who knew blogging created such a huge community?! It's honestly amazing the hype and PR 17 have created for themselves through this.

It was going a bit fast for me so I tweeted a few times, trying my best to get involved!
All the girls advice and product suggestions were so helpful, and I got a handy tip about using the Advantage Card machine before paying for my goodies!

So, I'd like to add these beautys to my wish list:

17's BB (Blemish Balm) - I've tried Garnier and L'Oreal and this is only £6.99 so definetly worth a try! The girls gave some positive reviews too.

I love blusher in spring and this one is called "Strawberry Swirl", it makes me just want to eat it! I like blushers that have different shades, and also like them to have quite a deep pink so that it is quite prominent on my skin.

And, as it's 3 for 2 at the moment these Candy Collection nail polishes are a must have! I love nail polishes (varnishes??) and a new season calls for new shades. Think I'll go for 'Orange Soda' (left) 'Sherbert Lemon' (next left) and 'Fairy Cake' (middle).

Loving the spring collection they have at the moment and the names make them sound delicious!

Did you get involved in the Twitter party? What are your must haves from 17?

(All images from Boots.com)

Roxxxxxanne

So the title of this post kind of works. Not only does it (obviously) remind me of that annoying song  by The Police, it was also in the cinema version of Moulin Rouge so I thought it would be okay!

Last night I went out on a hen party for a lady in work and the theme was Moulin Rouge. Cue lots of argghhh we are going to look naked moments and really awkward stares and glances as we walk through the centre of town on a Friday night.

Once all dressed up and makeup'd I got into character and actually really enjoyed the night, as well as the theme. I thought I'd share it with you as I tried to go for bigger/bolder makeup then usual, and my outfit was pretty cute too!

The corset and tutu are from Ebay and I have on a H&M tube skirt.

I used my L'Oreal eyeliner, which I am absolutely loving at the moment! (see review here and here) I have never found an eyeliner that works so well. I alsowore Eyelure fake lashes in Intense (140) and put lots of blush on (although you cannot even see this in the pic!)
My lipstick is No17 "HOT CHILLI", the shade is quite bright for me so I don't get this out very often but it's really smoothe and has good moisture.