Blush love 1: Mac Well Dressed

Half a request, half something I had lined up.  I'm starting a series of 'Blush love' posts were I'll swatch and share a blush with you!  My blushes collection currently includes MAC, Benefit, Elf, Rimmel, The Body Shop, Sassy...

My blushes tend to be powders, but sometimes I'll mix them with a little bit of vaseline to create a cream blush or a lip tint.  I tend to find that I wear darker berry colours in the winter, and lighter flushes in the summer.

Blush love 1: Mac Well Dressed

oInspired by the sunshine I am showing you ne of my Spring/summer colours (although I sometimes dip in duirng winter and autumn!

 

(With flash/Without flash)

A light powder that makes me think of sweets.  It also reminds me of one of my Benefit blushes (I think it's Dandelion but my box is in the other room). However, Well dressed is lighter and a bit different in texture, so I would not recommend them as dupes at all.

Well Dressed is soft too, and lightly pigmented.  I love it!  Not only is it a great little blush product, but I also sometimes use it as a blended highlight as it has a lovely sheen to it.  It does not contain glitter!  Another little tip is to apply a bit to your cupids bow, and then blend out with your fingers- it leaves a lovely little 'natural glow'.

Here are some swatches, although I appologise as I struggled to get it to show in this light (note to self: take pictures in the daylight!)  I had to apply it quite thickly to show up- but you need not apply so thick in real life.

 

I find this powder easy to apply, and fairly good* in terms of staying power!  (*Obviously base/primer/ skin conditions/weather will affect how long you can go before you need to apply more).

So bloggers, meet Mac Well Dressed. A lovely light powder blush!

Can be picked up in Pro pan form (to fit in magnetic palettes) from Mac online or Pro stores for £13.50 

or

in a clam shell compact from any Mac store for £16.50

I hope to do some swatches to compare blushes in the future.

Do you have this blush?  Any thoughts? Any dupes?  Want to see more 'blush love'?!

(P.s. Disclaimer: The one on my blog sale is just a new back up dupe, not the one featured here with a dip in it!!!)

Some competitions for you...

Here are some lovely blogs with some competitions on for you to enter!

Sarah's Orglamix giveaway
http://glossicious.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-first-orglamix-giveaway.html

Win 2 tickets to Beauty UK show from Katie
http://stuffonyourface.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-first-competition.html

Spiderlily's jewelry and scrap book grand opening giveaway from Calia
http://spiderlilyblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/spider-lily-grand-opening-and-giveaway.html 

Mary's giveaway!
http://marysmusicology.blogspot.com/2010/01/lillian-ray-giveaway.html#comments



And of course, don't forget my giveaway by clicking on the right hand link in the sidebar!

5 products I currently reach for.

As mentioned, here are 5 of my current products.  There is no logic to this, I just thought I'd give you a little post on 5 products that I am reaching for on a daily basis.  Of course I plan to update this from time to time!  My camera ran out of food, and is not fully recharged yet so pictures of from Boots.com.

1) 2 in 1 Visibly Clear by Neutrogena.
Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon a few months ago.  I suffer with bad skin, breakouts, oily patches, blackheads, whiteheads..red patches, wrinkles, scars..need I go on?  I started this blog as a way of documenting my quest for clear healthy skin.. so skin products will crop up from time to time!

I will probably do a more detailed post on this product as I think it needs it.  All I'll say for now is that I notice the difference when I use it. It's not a 'quick' fix on the spot treatment, but it does seem to be helping me in my fight

Available at Boots online.

2) Boots Ultra Balm Tissues....  because they are kinder to my nose than the 4 toilet rolls of tissues I have used since Christmas.  I kid you not.

3) Nivea Pearl and shine. A lovely handbag friendly lip balm that has a nice pink shine!  Not as pigmented as a lipstick, but just enough to be subtle but pretty.  Great over or under a colour, or just on it's own.  It has made me want to break out the pink lipsticks!  Hurry up spring!!

4) WATER!! In an effort to feel more human I have been trying (and failing) to drink 2 litres of water each day.  It does make a difference, I just need to remember to drink it i.e. not be so busy to forget!  It helps that I love the taste!

5) Natural yoghurt!  At the moment I am eating Bio and Activia strawberry and raspberry.  It tastes great but more importantly it contains good bacteria cultures (to help me be beautifully healthy on the inside while sporting my pinky lips, red sore nose and clay mask).  This is especially important if you are on anti-biotics, as this type of medication kills all the good AND bad bacteria in one go- leaving you with a low immune system.

I chose these because of my current state, but I wanted to include some more Sassy minerals- although I havent been wearing them recently as I've been pretty make-up less.  I'm blowing my nose that much that it makes my eyes water- and everything comes off with the tissues!  So coming up, Glam crystals/Sassy/Gosh/Mac- I want to swatch you the winter blush I am using and love/ I just dont want my sickly germs in any of my products!!

So there are 5 products on my current 'reach for' list!

Have you tried any?  What are 5 products on your current 'reach for' list?  If you want to do a post on this then don't forget to link in the comments!

Also dont forget my giveaway to win a Mac E/s, Elf E/s, Philosophy lipgloss, National collection lip liner, Teal earings and...well who knows.   100 enteries means a second place prize!

I also have a giveaway lined up for after this one closes, and a few valentines looks :)

Stay well  and warm xx

My giveaway comp- new prize added

Well I hit 150 subs so I'm adding a Philosophy lipgloss into the prizes! If I get 100 entries then I'll add a second place prize!  Thanks for all the sweet comments! :)  If you havent entered my gieaway then click the right hand link in the side bar!

:)
P.s My blog sale will be uploaded to other sites tomorrow so if you want exclusive browsing then click the link in my right hand sidebar!   I'm selling some of my back-ups to help clear a few unexpected pre pay day bills! :)
 Thanks

Blog sale updated

Just for those who follow.. due to a few unexpected large bills.. I have updated my blog sale with some MAC and Lancome.  Please have a look.  These items are currently only listed on my blog, but will be added to my sale lists on other sites on Sunday.. get it before its gone!!!

Please click the link in the right hand bar to go to my blog sale.  If you want to be the first to know then I generally tweet about it first!


Next Post: My 5 January faves.

Happy 101 TAG See if youre nominated!

Thanks to Sadie at Butterfly Wings AND Lou at http://planetloulou.blogspot.com for tagging me!

To accept the award you need to post 10 things that make you happy and do at least one of them today. Remember to link to the person who tagged you and pass on to 10 others.

Here are my 10 things in no particular order....

1) Long hot bubble baths.  Nothing like having time to have a long soak!  Preferably with a good magazine and a glass of wine!

2) Good music!  You know when you here a good tune you havent heard in ages.. and it just gives you a good feeling-- today I heard....

Yes I did sing along!

3) Good food.  I have been baking a bit more recently.. mostly because of finding some recipes and needing to make them there and then! Wholesome homecooked is great as you know what is in it- although I ddnt have a lovely cooked meal in a pub last weekend.

4)Waking up before the alarm, and knowing that you have several more snuggly hours in bed before you need to get up!

5)Getting blog comments :)

6) Going for a good country walk on a blue skied day.

7) Having everything neat and tidy and sorted.  Tidy house, tidy mind.

8) Reading/seeing people do random acts of kindness.  Like the cab driver who found £5k in his cab and tracked down the people who had left it- it as all their holiday money.... or the random anon business man who bought a local OAP a new mobility scooter after their's was stolen from outside their house.

9) Achieving something after a hard slog.  The sucess is even more sweeter- especially if other people have lost faith in me.

10) The boy.  He makes me happy*- absolutely worth the wait and I'm glad I didn't settle for less. (*most of the time!!)

So there we go!

This has been doing the rounds recently and I think a lot of people have done it already.

I nominate;

Miss Calia

Nikki at Visual Aspects

Jo at Beautylicious

Jen at A little bird

Leanne at do not refreeze

And if you havet done this, then I nominate you too.. yes you reading this!

Just pop a link below so I can read yours!

Oh and I plan on doing 1 later tonight. Possibly 7.  I did 4 and 2 earlier.. ..

I try to do number 8 as much as possible. If everyone did number 8 then the world would be a better place.

Blog sale updated

My blog sale has been updated, and some of the previous items are on ebay now (at stupid prices).  There are links to ebay so please have a look!  I will be updating ebay this week.  Some discontinued items are there too..

I have another blog for my sales/swaps.  CLICK HERE and follow if you want to see what's on offer! Or click the link on my right side bar.  See my last post for what I have done with the other blog sale/ebay money :) THANK YOU!

A HUGE THANK YOU

I have managed to raise £50 from my blog sales/ebay/specktra sales of unwanted items and this money has gone to help aids orphans in Africa. More specifically it will be buying some tools, seeds and supplies so that the orphanage can start their own farm and grow their own food.  This will help them to support themselves and learn new skills.  It is a project that one of my family members is involved in, and has spent a lot of voluntary time out there.  I know that everyone is focussed on Haiti at the moment, but I just wanted to share with you the good news.

The little boy I mentioned with aids (who I think was 7 years old with the weight of a UK 2 year old)... you might remember I said he had a cold and had been rushed into hospital.  Well he is out of hospital now and recovering well.  There is a little bit of good news, and how a little bit of money is really helping them.

So the sales will be continuing- I hope to update the blog later today.  Special things Ill put on ebay.
A huge thank you for buying things off me.  I like it when things go to a good home, and I know you guys like bargains!  That's a bit waffley and serious for my blog, but I just wanted to share the news.

Next post: Products I am currently loving.

My Competition Special Update!

I think the virus is sorted.  I am getting better too!  I'm really busy a the moment as I have a family birthday so I can't do the proper post that I wanted to do today, as I have to go and have a shower and make myself look human!  I've just been a bit run down over christmas, and it turned into one of those horrible crackly coughs that sounds like you're about to hack your insides up!!  I also lost half my alphabet "do I dounded a bit like dis all fer dime"!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the entries into my follower giveaway!  Click the link in the right side bar if you havent entered the comp already.

UPDATE NEWS! 
I know I have a few lurkers who read but havent subbed- well if you want to enter the giveaway then you must sub!!  If I get 8 more followers then I'll reach another milestone- and add in another mid-high end make-up item into the prize haul!!!

I have also started to think about adding a second place prize into the giveaway- but again, only if you lurkers sub up and I reach a number that I have just written down....!

It's just my way of saying thank you to you all for the comments and support. :)

Shower, hair, makeup, out for food.. that is my night. Hope you have a good night whatever you are up to!

Virus :/

I've  got rid of a trojan virus of my computer.  If any weird things start happening, I appologise now.  Please lt me know if you see any weird posts/emails/tweets from me.  I hope I got it in time...... :( Could have done without this!!!

Hopefully normal post tomorrow :)

Review: Gosh Velvet Touch Eyeliner: Purple Stain

"Purple Stain, Purple Stain.." If you are too young then you won't be singing the Prince song 'Purple rain'... with new lyrics... unlike me...ahem. (Youtube it kids!)

GOSH cosmetics Velvet Touch Eyeliner: Purple stain

GOSH Say: Waterproof and pigmented. Contains Vitamin E and Jojoba oil. No perfume!

I say: A vibrant purple shot through with electric blue.  I love it and here is why...

It is soft and doesnt drag my eye skin.
It's creamy and applies easily.
It doesnt cost the earth.
It isnt tested on animals.

You can see the two colours in this wobbly image!

I can honestly say that I havent found it to smudge or fade eaily- but budges with a make-up remover (not the L'oreal one, which I have finally finished and won't repurchase.  See old review).

I am very impressed with these and will be posting more swatches and reviews on their colours.

THUMBS UP!

GOSH Velvet Touch liners come in a range of colours and can be purchased at Superdrug counters with a GOSH stand.  They retail for around £5 and are among the best eyeliners I have tried recently!

Have you tried these pencils?  What do you think?  What pencils do you like?

Review: Avon Calling... Absynthe by Christians Lacroix

A bit before Christmas, the lovely Jo at http://www.beautyliciouslove.com/ gave me some perfume she no longer wanted.  We had been chatting about perfume and I asked for her opinion on it.. and was absolutely gobsmacked when she gave me her bottle saying she didn't want it!!  Jo- you're very kind.  Everyone should check out her blog.  It's a great read and brightens any day! x

Christian Lacroix is a French fashion designer and, like many high end designers, has branched out into accessories.  In 2007 he teamed up with Avon and has since launched 3 perfume ranges with them: Rouge, Noir and the most recent: Absynthe.

Avon/Lacroix say: A mysterious potion of sexy florals and rich woods inspired by the magic of absynthe. 1.7 fl. oz. 

"Absynthe, a mysteriously mesmerizing 19th century potion known as the green fairy, is still one of the world's most seductive mysteries. Irresistibly inviting, dangerously captivating - a great inspiration to my fashion and newest fragrance." - Christian Lacroix, French Haute Couture Designer 

Computergirl says: The bottle is very pretty. A gorgeous classic green glass bottle with pump spray.  There is gold etching on the bottle.  It reminds me of old vintage hollywood glamour- always a winner in my eyes.  I have been wearing it on and off for since Jo sent it to me and can honestly say that I have had quite a few complements on my perfume :)  It's delicately floral with a vanilla-y scent.  One person (the boy) said I smelt a bit of dollymix :D.  I mostly put it spray on my decolletage and one on my left inner wrist (and then rub my wrists together).  I have had no reaction to this perfume.  The thing that is a bit sneaky is that you don't et as much as you think in the bottle.  See the horizontal line 2/3rdx the way down the bottle?  It is all glass below that line.  Yes it weighs the bottle down so it stands solid, but it means less product, and a waste of glass.



Verdict: I will have no doubt in replacing this when it runs out (and it is lasting well so far!).  I like delicate natural perfumes and this fits straight into my collection.  I always try to 'test' scents by leaving them for a half day and then seeing how they smell as my body warms up the perfume.  In fact I always like to test any product, as I have had reactions in the past (including breakouts all over my face- nice!!)


Where can I get it:  This is exclusive to Avon and retails for around £20 but Avon do do promotions (including a free clutch bag and some Avon products in the most recent campaign).  Please visit the Avon website for your country or see your local rep.  Some catalogues have 'scratch and sniff' panels so you can smell the scent, but I think soe reps have bottles you can test.


Do you have this or any other Lacroix perfumes?  What is your fave perfume?


P.s. Dont forget to enter my giveaway (click the right bar link), and I have added a couple of things to my blog sale for those who want to have a nose! :)

My 100 follower giveaway

I hit 100 followers a bit before Christmas, and said that I would have a giveaway to celebrate the fact that 100+ of you have subbed and follow my ramblings!

I'm shocked! Thanks for all the comments, advice and support :) You always answer my silly questions.  Thank you all :)  As with most people, I was a silent participant long bfore I began my own blog.  This blog was started as a way for me to make a personal diary of my quest for better skin.... it's getting there! However my blog has spread to cover lots of other topics and issues! I degress...

In honour of this occassion ~I'm having a straight giveaway!

Prizes

• Dorothy Perkins Earings metal discs with teal colour in them. Brand new and for pierced ears.
• ELF Eye brighteing eyeshadow quad in Matte Mauve (includes mirror and applicator). New and sealed!
• MAC Eyeshadow in Bamboo (Brand new and in clam shell so will 'Back 2 Mac'!). A great base or neutral colour.
• Natural collection Lip Liner in 'Almond'. A great natural colour.

....And who knows what else will be added!

Rules:

1. Open internationally but prizes will be sent my surface mail so it might take a while to reach you!
2. If you are under 16 then I must have a parent or guardian's permission for your entry (because I'll need your address if you win!)
3. 1 winner picked at random, and must make contact with in 3 days,or I'll redraw!
4. Giveaway closes Wednesday 10th Feb 2010 at 11:59am GMT.

How to Enter!

• You must be a subscriber and this is a thank you to my readers.  Please only sub if you read my blog and like it- it's just not cool to sub for competitions (To sub, all you need is a google/yahoo email address.. so if you dont have a blog dont worry!).  This should make it easier for me to contact you if you win (and I will check the winner is subbed)!
  
• Gain 1 entry by commenting below- anything from what you like about my blog... to what you would like to see more of.
  
• Gain 2 more entries by posting a post/link to my giveaway on your personal blog (i.e. not one you specifically create for this post).  Please copy the link to your blog post, and post it below so I can see!
• Gain 1 more entry by tweeting about it! (Don't forget to follow me on twitter and @ me in your tweet!  See my feed by clicking my twitter button on the right hand bar!

Example entry: "Please enter me into your giveaway. I posted about it her www.XXblah and I tweeted (user name twitter.com/xxblah). My email address is xx@blah.com. I love your blog because... I would liek to see a post on Christian Lacroix perfume!"
 
Don't forget to leave a comment below with your email address so I can contact you!!
And check back for prize updates!

Thats all! (Any questions, post below).
Thanks x

EDIT: Item will not be tracked or insured.  Please just let me know when it arrives out of politeness!

Review: Gosh Flat Eyeshadow Brush

I bought this a few months back and after using it quite a bit... here is my review.

GOSH SAYS: "Broad, short hair brush designed especially for all types of eyeshadow."

Photograph belongs to GOSH/Superdrug (as my camera batteries are flat).

I say: I have been eyeing up the GOSH stand brushes for a little while now and decided to invest in a new eyeshadow brush.  I have found this one to be very soft and it has quickly worked it's way into one of current most used.

Why? Gosh have created a brush that is not too thick or thin- it's full but flat (if that makes sense!).  Its not round and full, like my Royal eye blender brushes.  The end of this brush is also forms a gentle point, meaning that it picks up a good amount of powder in one or two sweeps. Result!

I use it for patting shadow on to my lid, before blending or applying a second coat.  I also like the fact that the handle is a decent thickness, allowing me to get a good steady grip.  I hate it when brushes are so tiny that you cant hold them, or your hand hurts after a few seconds!

So far it has held up well with washing, with no shedding or changes to the softness. (I wash my brushes with baby shampoo).

This brush retails for around £7 at the GOSH stand in Superdrug!  I love it so much that I might even be investing in a another shortly.  It has become on of my staple kit brushes!


Do you have this or any other GOSH brushes?  What do you think?
Can you recommend any of there other brushes to me?

Posts comming up: 100 follower giveaway.  Review Christian Lacroix perfume.

Blog sale Updated: Mac and Urban Decay

Click Here to go to my latest sale post. Just added  few mac and urban decay bits and pieces. Some Limited Editions and discontinued.  Just part of the new year clearout (5 bottles of fix+ is a bit excessive I think!! 3 x roe fix +.. one is being sold).  I do have more items to add (a whole box to be exact!) but I can only cope with uploading a few at a time (photographing/uploading/typing).

So have a look, sub to that blog if you want, or follow me on twitter as i normally post there when I am sorting out more uploads.

I truely am a hoarder.  If I like something I will buy excessive amounts of it.  If it has nice packaging I will keep it.  My friends think I am mad, but I know you guys understand....right???

Exciting News! NYX UK!

Thanks to Redz2486 at A Girl's Life http://redz2486.blogspot.com/

The UK NYX store is finally online!  I found this a few months back but it just said "Underconstruction"  It has now gone live!! HURRAH!! Thanks to Redz for pointing this out!
http://www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk/

The lucious makeup is now not so illusive!


The BAD news-check out the prices.. huh?  A normal lippie is near £5- some are even near £9!!  Part of the NYX attraction was the 'cheap as chips' price.  :( This makes them less attractive.


Will you be splashing out on NYX?  What can you recommend?

P.s. Giveaway will be live hopfully this time next week.  I have a REALLY hectic work week and its getting keeping me away from the computer.  However I have an urban Decay Primer Potion, and some winter lipgloss to giveaway, plus some possibly Snow Fairy solid perfume! 

I also have the 'what's in my bag' post, once my camera lets me upload photos!