Discoveries of 2012

Ok, so I know it's now two weeks into January but I thought I'd share with you the products I discovered, and liked, in 2012. A bit like a 2012 favourites I suppose! I started blogging early in 2012 and I wouldn't have tried most of these products if it wasn't for this blog and reading every elses. You hear so much hype about certain products and so you get your purse and jump onto the bandwagon, sorry bank. There are definitely some products that I will continue to use for most of 2013 but I'm looking forward to finding some more gems this year.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation, probably one of the most talked about foundations of 2012. I used to be a bit of a foundation snob and wore my MAC foundation daily and had another for when I was going out but wanted to be a bit more glam. I saw so many bloggers rave about it that I thought it must be worth a try. I wasn't sure in the beginning but then after using it a while it totally grew on me and made me love drugstore products again. It did make me feel a little more oily than usual but I'd just make sure I had some powder to hand! It's one of those products that has gone beyond the boundaries of drugstore products and I loved it.

Real Techniques brushes, this is one of the products I wouldn't even know to try had it not been for Anna. I remember watching a video and thinking I need that buffing brush. So when I had finished my dissertation I treated myself in Boots to the Core Collection and remember the lady being like "oh, these are expensive!" and I agreed, just to be polite, but then thought well no you get 4 brushes for £22. Crazy lady. Anyway, I didn't really want the other brushes so got to work using the buffing brush everyday (and still everyday!!) with my foundation. I was amazed at the difference a brush could make. It makes it seem so much more natural and blended than a normal foundation brush. I then started to experiment more with the other brushes and now use the pointed foundation brush for my concealer and use the contour brush for my blush on the apples of my cheeks. The only brush I don't use is the detailer brush but I'm sure I may one day. My collection has now grown and I also have the Starter Set but I also want the powder brush!

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Cream, I purchased this one when the BB cream world was getting popular and I think there was some kind of deal with L'Oreal products so it was either cheaper or free! I wasn't impressed at first and left it to the side for a while until I started to tan and realised that this was perfect for giving me low coverage with a beautiful glowing finish. I used it all throughout holiday and find it perfect for what I need it for.

L'Oreal Superliner Gel Intenza, I've had a love-hate relationship with eyeliner for a long, long time. I love the look of it but found it so hard to do and wasn't sure it even suited my  eyes let alone my face. I was in the mood to give it another shot and thought a gel eyeliner may work better than the pens or kohl pencils. I instantly fell in love with this product. It is super easy to use and gives a great, slick finish. The brush it comes with isn't the best but it works if you don't have another. It will also last a majorly long time even though it's such a small pot, I've only made a small dent in it and had it since like February last year!

MUA Undressed, another blogger fave and after umm-ing and ahh-ing about getting it I was kindly given it for Christmas and am so glad I did. I started to try eyeshadow again (me and my eyes ay!) in October so thought this very cheap palette would be great for experimenting. I've loved seeing what the shades will do together and giving them a go, luckily I had a lot of time off around Christmas so used this everyday. Go get it!!

Maybelline The Falsies, I hadn't actually heard much about the product before I bought it but have always used either Rimmel or Maybelline mascaras and like to try new ones out. After using this one though I haven't wanted to try anything else! It's great for thickness and volume and doesn't make your eyelashes clumpy. Score!! I also like that the packaging is purple... and it has wings on - such a girl.

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lipstick in 101, I tried the last lot of Kate Moss' lipsticks and thought they were good quality so when these ones came out I read a few of the blogs to see the shades and confirmed it was 101 that I was after. It's a beautiful and natural pinky shade that is great for everyday wear or when you're going out but may have other colours going on elsewhere. It isn't too obvious you are wearing lipstick, which is what I quite like, and it's moisturising which is good for my terribly dry lips.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, where have you been if you haven't heard of this beauty. Another one of those 'here's the bandwagon you better get on fast' products. I suffer with quite bad dark circles so this one is great for under the eye as well as helping calm down the redness on my cheeks and nose - thanks mum!! It's around £4 and lasts well. The packaging is pretty rubbish but I'd rather pay less and it be cheap packaging than pay a bit more just for it to look better. Well done Collection!

Garnier Simply Essentials Gentle Eye Makeup Remover, I used to be one of those who used a face wipe or, occasionally, some cream cleanser to take off my mascara. I then started to realise what I was doing to the gentle eye area and bought this. I've used about 4 bottles and I will continue to buy it until I see something else better. It's great. It's for people with sensitive eyes or those who just want to be a bit more gentle. You put some on a cotton pad and hold on the eye for about 10 seconds then wipe. It is super soft and feels quite refreshing. My eyes used to really sting after using wipes or just feel really, like clogged up after using a cream based cleanser. I have noticed a difference in my eye area since using it and would 100% recommend it.

So there we have it, a selection of items I discovered and loved in 2012. I still forget to write 2013 on things but we all do that for about a month, don't we? I'm really looking forward to finding some more amazing products in 2013 and seeing what happens here on the blog. I hope you enjoyed it :)

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

Birthday / 50 follower giveaway

Hi all! It was my birthday on Friday and in celebration of this, and the fact that I recently reached over 50 followers, I wanted to do a little giveaway! This is my first one and it's quite exciting! Here are the fabulous prizes ....

So, as promised there is a Maybelline Babylips all the way from Las Vegas, the shade is Peach Kiss which is the one I have so it is very natural but shimmering and nourishing too! Also in there is a Models Own nail polish in Pink Fizz plus you get to choose which Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick you want out of the new shades: 101, 107, 110, 111 and 113! 

Below is the Rafflecopter widget so get entering and good luck!! :) 

P.S it is International too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My favourite lipstick

Now I've never been a lipstick lover. When I was younger I thought it was a more mature, older lady thing to wear and then as I went through my teens I just didn't get why anyone would bother! Recently I've wanted to try it but my lips are so dry and flaky it just used to look terrible! 

I've been getting better though and finding ones that suit me, and my dry lips! And this little wonder is my all time fave!! Kate Moss for Rimmel in shade 101.

 I saw a few bloggers review each shade when they first came out (so lucky) and knew I wanted 101 for sure. It looked so pretty and very natural on them with a tint of pink to make it very girly. The packaging is also good, a bold red which stands out amongst other lip products and it has some kind of catch so when you press it down it clicks together, very secure!

I wore this lipstick almost every day on holiday, it doesn't stick to my dry bits and looks effortless.

Have you got any of Kate Moss' lipsticks? I own another deep red one but it's not a nourishing as this one!

P.S Keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway I'm hoping to post this weekend :)

Revlon Colour Burst Creme Brulee

Hiya all! I have seen these lip butters on lots of blogs and, as I have a bit of an issue with lipsticks, I really wanted to try one! My lips are quite dry, all the time so when I put lipstick on it just looks awful, and I like the thought of having a coloured lip!

So anyway, I had a £3 off Revlon products at Boots so it was an ideal chance to get one.

They have so many different colours, most of them I would say are pinks/reds so quite bright but I wanted something nude so I could wear it whenever and with whatever, so I picked up Creme Brulee. It was the only nude shade in the selection (by first looks) so I quickly swatched a few of the others on my hand and went to pay for my very boring nude lip butter.

The packaging is nice, it looks and feels more expensive than what it is (£7.99) and they have colour coordinated with the shade the lip butter is which is cute!

I would say that for a nude it is very nude! It's quite shimmery, which is mostly what you can see from the swatch. One thing I would say is that it doesn't really look like I have any colour at all on my lips so I'm not wow-ed by the product, but then for a nude what can I expect? My lips do look very moisturised though and it felt nice to not just be putting on my daily lip butter!

I will try another colour but I'm really struggling as they all seem so bright, and pink! What do you think? Have you tried any that have looked different on your lips?

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.