The Milestone Hotel | Afternoon Tea

Every now again there is nothing better than a real or should I say a 'proper' afternoon tea.  Lots of places seem to have jumped on the popular bandwagon of serving this age old English tradition. On Sunday the hubby took me out for a long over due afternoon tea.  After a little googling looking for top afternoon teas locations in London...the hubby found The Milestone Hotel.  Heard of it ... No?  Join the club.

The Milestone Hotel if I had to describe it,  is a traditional oldie worldly boutique hotel. Sat opposite Kensington Park not too far from Harroads and Harvey Nics it is a real gem.  Inside it feels like a set from Downton Abbey.  Its quaint drawing room style room makes you feel very posh indeed.  You could almost imagine gentlemen in dickie bows strolling around and stepping into the room to have their cigars

The nice thing about the Milestone is you have to book in advance, you cannot just walk in off the street and request it.  Plus there is a very smart dress code...it is Kensington after all!

For our tea we requested the champagne tea. An tradition afternoon tea plus an half bottle of champagne and strawberries with cream.  There are quite a few versions to choose from, vegetarian, prince and princesses teas for the kids and the gentleman's tea which includes whisky drinks. 

You are treated to a wide array of tea choices and overwhelmed by cakes and sandwiches.   It's not a cheap tea but they treat you like royalty.  And the standards are very high. 

If you have a sweet tooth, you'll be spoilt for choice of what you can have.   If I had to recommend a place for afternoon tea, The Milestone would come first... I've had a few in my time and this is the best!!

Want to see what The Milestone Hotel has to offer, then click HERE for their website.

What's your favourite part of afternoon tea....cakes, sandwiches, scones?  I think the warm scones are my favourite.

Ax

Perfect7 Woman ... Update

It's just been over a month since I started taking the Seven Seas Perfect7 Woman* supplements. I first mentioned them HERE back in December.  If you want to pop back there for a peek, that would be pretty cool but I'll go through it again on this post.  I'm nice like that  ;-)

I thought I'd share any differences I've seen so far, but a quick introduction to what Perfect7 Woman is.  If you haven't heard of Perfect7 it is a unique blend of marine oils, rich in Omega-3 and key vitamins and minerals for example biotin to help your hair grow healthier and stronger.  There is also magnesium to help boost your energy and to calm you.

The marine oils help to maintain normal heart and brain function and vitamins and minerals to help contribute to reducing tiredness and fatigue.  In this day and age we need all the help we can get and taking Perfect7 has many benefits.  Why take numerous pills when you can take this duo pill system daily??

Why is it called Perfect7 Woman??  Well... men and women are not the same - especially when it comes to ageing. This is why Seven Seas has not forgotten about the men in our lives and have brought out Perfect7 Men.  Seven Seas has developed a distinct formulations unique for women and men.

One of the external signs of a healthy good looking body is good skin, hair and nails.  Perfect7 Woman is designed to provide you with nutrients to help maintain normal skin and nails from the inside.

So are there any changes yet?

It has only been over a month and I have just started my second packet of Perfect7.  You generally see the changes more after taking Perfect7 for around 3 months.  I mean Rome was not built in a day.... These things take time.  With my hair I feel I can see a small change that it doesn't seem to shed so much when I am washing it.  No more blocked plugs!

My complexion - I haven't really noticed a difference, apart from feeling a little brighter.   There isn't much improvement with my eyes but I'm used to being a blind bat so I'm not too fused.

Are there any negatives to taking Perfect7?

My only issue is the size of the pills.  I'm terrible when it comes to pill swallowing and these beasts scare me.  Every time I take them both, I'm worried of choking but I'm getting used to it now.

My second gripe is what happens when I take them.  I've noticed from practice I cannot take these on an empty stomach.  After a meal is best as I get a sickly feeling if I don't have food in my belly, which is not pleasant.  But it's all fine now as I take them after breakfast.  They are my only negatives.

The positives of Perfect7 Woman are all the health benefits, but the major positive is the price.  Available in Boots HERE, for a 30 day supply it will cost you £9.99.  That works out to a daily price of 33p a day.  Not bad hey!!

I am very happy to continue taking these as they contain a wide range of benefits.  They also contain folic acid, which is great for me as I might be adding some one special to my life :-)  I was just taking individual folic pills, but now this pill helps add more health benefits to my life.

Some key points to remember, these are suitable if you are planning for a baby but talk to your doctor before taking these if you are already pregnant.  The product contains fish oils which may be harmful.

Ax

This is a collaboration post with Seven Seas Perfect7 Woman

Seventeen Doll'd Up 3-Way Liquid Eyeliner

If you have not noticed already (where have you been hiding) the lovely beauty brand 17 have had a revamp.  No longer ‘17’, they have upgraded themselves from numbers to letters and become 'Seventeen’.  I think the change is nice, it feels more grown up and it is not a total change  - as opposed to Collection/Collection 2000 (they’ll always be Collection 2000 in my eyes)

Anyways, Seventeen have launched a fab new liner called Doll'd Up 3-Way Liner, which when I saw it initially made me giddy with excitement.  With a resemblance to the Clarins version, Seventeen have blessed us with a cheaper alternative which looks just as promising.

In a sleek like pen applicator, this can be used a number of ways. You can still achieve the usual black 'cat eyeliner' look using this, but with the three little nibs you can also delicately apply to the lower lash line.  

Doing this adds definition to the bottom lashes for a subtle look.  If you were never really a fan of the harsh black liner (Middleton style) then this could be what you are looking for.

What I really like is the formulation   It is wet, but not too wet it takes forever to dry.  It applies smoothly with no tugging or pulling and the pen itself is soft as a feather.  As for the colour, it is the blackest black. 

And all this from the high street at £6.29???  Yes!

The liner on the lower lash line

The lasting powder is very good.  However towards the end of the day (after applying at about 8am) this does start to smudge.  But that's no biggy for me as I have oily skin so I expect a little movement south.  

So is it worth the hype you ask?  Well yes it is.  It is certainly is worth looking at.  It's cheap and great... what's not to like?  Clarins who..?

Angela xox

Maybelline ~ The Rocket

Maybelline have done it again and blessed us beauty lovers with a new mascara.  I picked this up on New Years Eve as I took a detour home from work.  The ban, hasn't be broken - honest.

Maybelline's new mascara release The Rocket is part of the Volum' Express line.  I love the original Volum' Express and I was keen to try this out when I heard about it.

The packaging and the wand

I think this is Maybellines best mascara packaging yet.  I love the purple/blue tube and the neon pink writing.  I don't think you could ever lose this in your makeup bag.  As for the name, I'm not too sure...  The Rocket?  Catchy but I'm not sure if any mascara can give you rocket volume like Maybelline claim this can.  Let's wait and see the results.

The wand I think looks similar to Max Factor False Lash Effect/Covergirl Lash Blast.  It is also quite similar to the One by One as it has a plastic wand.  The difference between The Rocket and the One by One can be seen below in the comparison shot.  The Rocket wand itself has barely noticeable bristles, which are very short and look a little on the thin side.  I actually prefer the look of the One by One wand.

L-R: One by One and The Rocket

Maybelline say that this is a clump free mascara which is a bold claim.  I'm not sure there is a mascara out there which doesn't clump even a little bit.  A word of warning for you potential Rocket users... at the tip of wand you get that annoying blob of excess mascara.  I recommend removing this before application or there might be a mess.

So lets get onto what it looks like on the lashes.  One coat looks like...

One coat top lashes only (lashes were curled before applying)

After the initial first coat, I'm quite impressed.  The separation is good and the lashes look naturally volumised.  Not massively like Maybelline say they will be but still good.  I would be happy at leaving it with just the one application.

The second coat looks like...

Two coats top and one on lower lashes

Now for the second coat.  Maybelline claim this is a clump free mascara.  After the second application I personally think this clumped slightly, not too much however.  I had to work it a lot with the wand to get the right look.  I left the look as it was and didn't apply a third coat as i think that may of been clump overload.  I also applied one coat to my bottom lashes which to be honest look a little clumped together.

So for my thoughts...

I quite like this mascara but there are some down points.  Firstly the blob at the end of the wand which I addressed above.  Then the wand and its pointy stumpy bristles.  Because they are so short and pointy I feel like I stab my lids.  It can be a little uncomfortable and off putting.  This is my only real negative... so far. 

Yes there is an odd clumping here and there but you just have to work at it with the wand.  The formulation is quite wet, so I think that this may be better once it has aged slightly.  Sometimes I think drier mascara can perform better.

As for volume,  I don't think you get lots which is disappointing.  I wouldn't see myself buying this again when I have the option to buy the One by One which I think is better.  If the wand didn't jab me in the lids I think I'd like this more.

Have you seen this yet?  Will you be giving it a try?

Angela xox

My giveaway end this Sunday, click here for more info!

L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess

You'll hopefully know by now that my favourite mascara is the One by One.  But if you saw my recent post there is rumours that Maybelline are calling it a day.  So with that news I've been on the hunt for my new best friend.

New on the market is the L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess.  A slightly tweaked version of the original but this has the added 'excess'.  I have never tried the original so I was completely in the dark at what to expect with this.

The packaging certainly looks glam and eye catching with its red and gold look.  The wand is huge and looks like a caterpillar.  I feel just a bit scared about trying to use it.

L'Oreal promise faned-out millionised lashes and volume.  The bristles grab and coat each lash from root to tip precisely and professionally.  Bold claims. 

The new brush is anti clumping and there is a 'wiper' inside the tube that removes any 'excess' clumps.  So when you pull the wand from the tube the clumps are removed.  Rather cool!

Curler lashes with three coats applied

I had this for a few weeks and I've been using this for a while and to be honest I'm not a fan.  I feel as though my lashes get clumped together (evidence in bottom right picture) and I think they don't look volumised at all.  There is no lengthening affect and that wand was awkward to handle.

I had curled my lashes before application but after applying the mascara they have just flopped flat again.  It doesn't hold a curl which is unfortunate.  On top of the disappointment of everything else this also flakes giving me a panda eye.  I don't even want to go there!

At £10.99 I was expecting amazing results but I am disappointed and won't be purchasing again. Sorry L'Oreal.

What mascara are you using right now??

Angela xox

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain

This was one of those spontaneous buys ... I didn't set out to buy.  It was kind of a 'let's try it and see' purchase.  Rendezvous is a chubby orangey-coral crayon from Revlon. I know these have been on the market a while but hey I'm a little slow sometimes ;-)

Renderzvous

With its gel like formula this crayon glides on effortlessly.  I love the design with its pencil like tip.  When you need more product simply twist the silver part and up pops more and it is also retractable too!  Easy peasy!

The tip of the crayon is perfect for applying the stain to the cupid-bow area of the lips, whilst for the rest of the lip I like using the side of the crayon.  A quick sweep back and forth and the job is done.

When applying it is smooth and easy.  It looks very bright but when it's on the lips it takes on a lightweight stain appearance that looks very glossy.  This can be applied to give a light stained look or built up for a more intense look.

The balm like consistency is lovely and the added scent which to me smells minty is a nice touch.  The minty dental floss smell can be a little strong and might be a little off putting to some but it fades after a short time.

Swatches and on the lips

So does it stain you ask?  Yes.  As a test I applied this about 8pm last night then went to bed a few hours later.  The result... I woke up with stained lips! No it was not a perfect application like the above pictures, but you could see I was wearing the product.  Top marks for lasting the test of time!

Incredibly similar to Clinique's version of Chubby Sticks, the Revlon sells for around £7 whilst Clinique retails for £16.  You can buy two and get change compared to Clinique!

Next time I'm at a Revlon counter I'm certainly going to check out perhaps a pinky toned crayon as I really love this.  Have you tried these?  So do you recommend any colours to try?

Angela xox

Essie/Nails Inc/TopShop

Whilst rummaging through ever expanding nail polish collection I came across a common thing. I seem to like turquoise.

Turquoise and Caicos, Haymarket. Pool Party

These three could be related. Distant cousins perhaps.  In the bottles they all have their slight differences but once you apply them to the nails they pretty much look the same.

SwatchesTurquoise and Caicos, Haymarket. Pool Party

When it comes to comparing the polishes and how they apply I will say that TopShops Pool Party is sprinting ahead.  Nails Inc Haymarket is seconds behind leaving Essie Turquoise and Caicos covered in dust.

I own quite a few Essie polishes now and this one is slightly disappointing. It takes three coats to get a good coverage whilst Haymarket and Pool Party you can just apply two.  Pool Party if applied thick enough could actually be applied in just one coat. Amazing huh?!

Now for prices.  The most expensive is Haymarket at a tad expensive £11.  Second up is Essie at £7.99. Then there is my favourite Pool Party at £5.  If I had to repurchase any of these it would certainly be Pool Party.  Not because it is cheaper (but that does help) but because it just better than the rest.  Simple really.

Angela xox

* Nails Inc Haymarket was a PR event gift.  I did not buy this with my own money however the Essie and TopShop polishes were purchased with my own hard earned cash :-)

Revlon Colourstay Shadow Stick in Smolder

If you're a follower of my blog you'd know not that long ago I picked up my first Revlon Colourstay Smokey Shadow Stick in Torch (review here).  I love Torch, they are the perfect colours for a lazy everyday makeup look and are seriously easy to use.  I knew I'd buy others from the collection... and I have.... Smolder.

Top: the shadow stick

Bottom L-R: light and dark

As the name suggests this is a dark shadow duo.  But instead of being your usual black and grey this is slightly different. A blue-grey tone base colour and a dark forest green for shading and definition. 

The shadows, like the Torch i reviewed previously last a good amount of time.  There is no creasing or movement of the shadow... they stay put for hours.  

They are smooth and are easy to apply/blend and both these colours work very well together.  They take on a metallic look on the skin... which catch the light very well as you can see on my swatches below. 

The swatches: dark and light 

Perfect for a smokey eye look which will take no effort at all I'm really looking forward to creating some looks with this.  Who knows I may even film a tutorial! Watch this space.

Angela xox

Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoo ~ Pink Gold

I'm a very big fan of the Maybelline 24hr Colour Tattoos.  A cheaper alternative to MAC Paint Pots, Stila Smudge Pots and Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams, these have been a big hit so it seems with everyone in the beauty world.

So when it was announced Maybelline were introducing another to their UK collection... I said a little whoop whoop to myself with joy.  Compared to the US collection, the UK Tattoo collection is very limited.  We have less than half the colours you ladies were given! Boo hiss!

Pink Gold in the pot and swatched

The beautiful Pink Gold is a soft pearly pink shade with perhaps a soft hint of a gold, although I cannot see it personally.  Like the other 24hr Tattoos this is very pigmentated with an excellent staying power.  It does not crease and can be used without an eye base.  Also if used lightly it could almost be used for a highlight on the cheeks.

It is nice that Maybelline has launched a light colour to their collection as a lot of the colours they have now are dark ones.  I hope Maybelline bring more to the UK collection like they have for the US.  I think the Tattoo shadows are a hit and I'd rather spend my money buying these compared to Stila, MAC and Make Up For Ever.

Will you be checking this out?

Angela xox

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Liners

When I watched Fleur De Force talk about the Scandal Eyes Waterproof liners in one of her videos I knew there would be trouble.  She'd used Taupe and her eyes looked stunning.  I wanted to steal Fleurs look....  well she is beautiful can you blame me?  

I'd read on Bright Town Girls post that they were being released on October 3rd, so like a nutter possessed I dashed to my local Boots on Fleet Street to find... nothing.  They hadn't even put them out....grrrr!  So then I dashed to Holborn Superdrug....and god bless Superdrug - they never let me down!

I was like a child in a sweet shop ohhing and ahhing at what to get myself.  I would of loved the black liner but I think a bus full of Rimmel lovers had cleared the shelves before I got there.  I will be keeping my eyes open for the elusive black one!

Purple 013, Bronze 012, Taupe 004 and Nude 005

So about the liners.  Waterproof ...check!  Long lasting...check!  Fabulous colour range ...check!  Easy to apply ...check!  Great colour pay off ...hell yeah!

Smooth and easy to apply these practically stays put forever, what more do we need girls?  I have oily skin and these last on my lids and lower water line.  Yes the lower water line application fades slightly, but it's still brilliant.  They are creamy to apply and can be easily blended but once they are on the skin and left alone they just stay put.

Flash and natural lighting

The Nude shade looks like a concealer colour and many may think why would I want a nude eye liner?  Well this can be easily compared to the MAC Chromagraphic or Une Skin Glow pencils which are great for the water line to create bright open eye look.  It's a much cheaper alternative.

I think the Taupe colour will work great with the Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo in Permanent Taupe as it looks very similar.  No doubt I'll be trying them together.  I'd also team it with some shades from my Naked palette.  I'd also say the Bronze pencil would work excellently too with either MUA Heaven and Earth or both Naked 1 or 2 palettes.

As for Purple I might try and use this on the eye lids are a shadow or a shadow base.  I will let you know how that goes.

Rimmel I think have solved the mission to provide us all with a cheap easy-to-get-hold of liner which is of a high quality it could almost be mistaken for high end.  At £3.99 I think you cannot go wrong with giving these a go.  So ladies grab these why you can, because I think they will be snapped up fast so get a move on to get yours!

Angela xox

Revlon Colourstay Shadow Stick

I can be quite lazy when I comes to eye makeup. Sometimes I love experimenting and other times I love just a simple look which is quick and easy to achieve. Recently I picked up the new-ish Revlon Colourstay Smokey Shadow Stick in the colour Torch.

Top: the shadow stick

Bottom L-R: light and dark

 

Torch is a duo shadow stick, one end a light base colour and the other a darker liner or crease shade.  Torch is a light pinky fresh toned colour whilst the other shade is a dark chocolate brown colour. The tips of each colour are designed slightly different because of their uses.  The light end is slightly rounded, so it is easier to apply to the lid as a base.  The darker side has a more pointer finish so it can easily apply the product to the lash lines and the crease. 

When it comes to the shadows themselves, I find the brown side a little easier to work with as the light side can be a little dry. Every time I have used the light side I have had to warm it up on the back of my hand before attempting to use on the eye lid as I don't want to drag it across my delicate skin.  As the lighter colour is so dry it has already fallen out of the container a few times which isn't particularly good. 

The swatches in different lighting

So would I repurchase this after it's finished?  Yes I probably would as I like the neutral colour.  I bought a darker one recently so I can try to create a darker smokey eye (review to come).  I can see this being great in warmer climates, as it lasts an exceptionally long time.  I can also wear it at the gym and it doesn't move.

Do you like simple eye looks?  Have seen these at your local Revlon stand?

Angela xox

Friday Favourite # 2

I thought I show you one of my favourite foundation brushes for this Fridays 'Friday Favourites'.  It is the delightful Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush.  This synthetic brush is the quality of some high end brand brushes but it is literally half the price.

A great brush for buffing liquids into the skin and giving a flawless and even look to any foundation you apply.  It has very soft bristles which are very gentle on the face and do not irritate.  They are packed together tightly and are very dense - giving the flat top kabuki look to the brush.  I've had no shedding experiences with this brush so far and it still looks as good when I first bought it early last year.  If you wish to achieve an air brushed makeup look then this brush is something I definitely think is worth investing in.

Available from US company website here, they do international shipping on all their products however there are also online stores in the UK which sell the brush and other Sigma brushes.  I ordered mine through the Sigma site and luckily haven't had to pay any Royal Mail/Customs import fees . . . yet!

Do you have the F80?  What's your favourite foundation brush?

Angela xox

MAC Lipstick ~ Sweetie

When I first got this lipstick it was one of those shades I wasn't quite keen on and said to myself why did I get you??  My initial thoughts were not positive, I liked it but wish I'd chosen something else instead.  Well times have changed and now this lustre is one of my go to MAC lipsticks.

Swatches and the tube

A plumy raspberry colour Sweetie is not a MAC lipstick you hear about all to often.  I like this personally as it can appear quite bold and I'm not too fond of bright reds, so it's nice to chose something else that I feel makes a big impression.  Sweetie is quite similar to Lustering and Plumful which I picked up a while ago after a Back2MAC session  - click here.  Also in the lipstick there is a very fine mirco-glitter which cathces the light perfectly.

Here are some swatches for you to look at. . .

Considering this was a Back2MAC, I'm pretty impressed with my buy.  I would certainly pay full price for this lipstick.

What is your 'go to' lipstick?  Do you any favourites?

Angela xox

Estee Lauder ~ Sensuous Nude

I own a lot of perfumes - too many to many to be honest . . . I am a bit of a magpie for them!  However I dare say there is another girl out there with more than me so in the end it doesn't make me feel too bad!

One of my go to scents at the moment is the Sensuous Nude parfum spray by Estee Lauder.  Don't get this confused with the other Estee Lauder Sensuous fragrances (there is also Sensuous and Sensuous Nior) this is the Nude version.

The bottle

When describing perfume smells I am terrible, I'm hardly a genius at it unfortunately.  Beautiful is how I would describe it essentially.  But i will say it has a warm smell which is kind of feminine and woody - musky if you prefer but not too strong.  Not to sound silly but the name I think fits this perfectly,  it does feel sensuous on the skin.  I feel like I would be quite happy to literally wear just this perfume if you know what I mean.  A strange way to describe it but it just feels like how your skin would or should smell.

If you are a fan of sickly sweet girly smells then Sensuous Nude will not be for you.  I feel like this is more for a mature late 20's early 30's woman.  It is quite a subtle smell which lasts on the skin for around 2 hours (not long sadly) so it does need a top up through the day.  This is probably the only negative that it doesn't last all day :-(

I love the packaging as well with its rose gold cap and light pink bottle.  There is also ribbing on the back of the bottle in a sensuous curve shape. . . a very pretty bottle to have on any ladys dressing table!

What's your go to fragrance??

Angela xox

Korres Lip Butter in Plum

I have popped my Korres cherry finally!!!  After hearing people talk about the Korres Lip Butters for so long, I have finally bitten the bullet and purchased myself one.  I’ve never even seen the lip butter range in person so I literally chose this one by googling and looking at blog reviews.  Ahhh the powder some bloggers have ceases to amaze me!

I chose the colour Plum which as the name suggests is a plumy shade.  At first glance it looks very dark but when you apply to the skin/lips it doesn't apply quite so dark.  By all means it is still dark just not so wow-in-your-face dark like it appears in the pot!  When you apply to the lips I like the fact it isn't too bold more like a tinted stain look almost like you have just eaten an ice lolly.

The pot and the swatches

The lip butter itself has the most yummy smell, for such a small pot this packs in a lot to excite the senses.  I cannot quite put my finger on the name of smell yet, but it certainly is lush!  The shine you get when you apply to the lips is almost gloss like - you could definitely wear this alone.

The butters are full moisturising and soothing ingredients like shea butter, rice wax and natural oil extracts making the lips super soft.  Korres sell many other colours so if Plum doesn't quite take your fancy there are six others to chose from.

I will say one or two things though, firstly as this is quite pigmented I wouldn't apply this without using a mirror in case I made a bit of a boo boo when I put it on.  If it were a clear balm then that would be a different story.  Also it says this is great for chapped lips, I'm not sure personally if I would want to use a balm that is so dark like this on chapped lips in case it sat on the lips strange.  I would prefer a lighter or clear version if my lips were very chapped.

Have you ever tried the Korres Lip Butters??

Angela xox

Gold by Giles Pleasure Highlight Stick

I've been sucked in by the New Look Gold by Giles Collection again.  You can read about my first purchase here.
 

My second purchase is a highlighting stick in the shade Pleasure.  When I bought my first goodies in June I saw this then and I loved it but I said to myself . . . no!  But the next time I was in store I just knew it had to be mine.  I mean it is only £3.99 it’s hardly an eye watering price tag! 

The product itself is a lovely pearly pink shimmer.  New Look stock two different shades this one and a bronze shade.  The packaging is a little cheap looking but I feel considering how inexpensive the Gold by Giles Collection is that doesn’t really matter.  But I do like the fact the packaging is like a large lipstick, it twists and up it pops!!!

So on to the swatches:

Swatches: natural light and flash

I think this reflects the light beautifully, catching the light and not looking too glitter ball like.  It gives the perfect sheen to the skin.  Depending on how much you blend it out you can have full on highlighter or subtle sheen but it does the job perfectly.  I recommend warming the stick up first as it can be a little hard.

I’d totally recommend having a look at the Giles collection.  Certainly his eyeshadows and the highlighter.  For an inexpensive brand I think it’s brilliant!!!

Angela xox

Hello!! What has happened to you??

I've owned my Botanics facial brush for a while now.  I purchased back in May/June as I blogged about it here.  Now seeing that I only purchased it three, well nearly four months ago - the wear and tear has been a little rough to say the least.

Oh dear!!

It seems after only three months my brush has had its day.  Some of the bristles have gone flat and seem to have parted down the middle of the brush.  I've noticed as well that since this has happened I don't feel like my face gets the full benefits like it used to when it was brand new.

When I first started using it - I felt like this really did exfoliate my face and make it feel really soft.  It is a shame really that this has happened as I quite liked using this brush as part of my daily routine.  Now I feel as though it ready for the rubbish pile or cleaning my bathroom tiles!!!

Have you had any product let downs?

Angela xox

Autograph Coral Lipstick

When I saw Marks and Spencer had a 20% sale on their makeup I was stopped in my tracks and pulled over there by some invisible force.  I've never bought anything from Marks and Spencer makeup line Autograph before, I always thought it was perhaps aimed at the older ladies. . . not girls my age.

When I was actually looking through what they had I was pretty surprised by how nice some of the items were.  One of those items was this coral lipstick called funnily enough Coral!

Firstly the packaging - I love it!  Something normally associated with a high end brand, this lipstick has the push button mechanism to release the lipstick from the container.  One click on the coral name and the lipstick pops up so you can pull it out - cool huh?!?  The container and tube itself are quite basic looking - nothing to fancy.  But I love the packaging just for the clicky thing!!!

I'm not usually a shocking red or bright coral fan, I'm normally into pinks but I'm quite liking this as its not over the top bright - it can look natural.  This is quite buildable so you can apply and dab it off with a tissue for a subtle look or you can load it up for a whooooaaaa she got lipstick on look.

I find the lipstick catches the light almost like it has a micro-shimmer in it, but I cannot be 100% sure of that.    It is creamy to apply and lasts reasonably long time, but after a while It starts to feel a drying.  If like me you don't like a bold lip then I'd recommend a colour like this - you can be as bold or not so bold as you like!!!

Angela xox

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque

If like me you love to give your hair TLC now and again then you might want to keep reading.  If you have dry or damaged hair which needs some va va vroom then you might want to invest in the Macadamia Deep Repair Masque.  I have been loving the Macadamia products recently and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

The Deep Repair Masque is a combination of macadamia and argan oil plus a whole lot of other magic ingredients which makes dry, damaged, dull hair rejuvenated and feeling soft and nourished.  Once you've started using this, you won't want to go back!!  The masque itself is a thick creamy consistency which is has a nice fragrance, nothing too strong.

The masque is used after regular shampooing and conditioning.  I apply mine to my hair after i have combed the hair through, as it makes it easier to apply.  I then apply it all over the hair concentrating on the end more than the roots.  I then relax for around 8 to 10 minutes to let the masque get to work.  Then I rinse firstly with warm water the a short blast of cold water to seal the hair.  I then do my usual drying and styling and end up with ultra soft, constantly-wanting-to-touch-it hair.

The masque is a little expensive depending where you buy it, you can purchase it from Feelunique or various other online stores.  It comes in two different sizes either a 250ml or 500ml pot or in sachets.  I would recommend using it perhaps once a week or maybe twice, depending how many times a week you clean your hair.  As it is on the expensive side, I'd say don't use it too much just when you feel like your hair needs that extra something special.

Once this run out I'd certainly repurchase it without a doubt, I'm interested in trying other brands like Moroccanoil.  Do you have any deep treatment masque you love to use on your hair?

Angela xox

NYX Lip Smacking Fun Colours

Today I have another much loved American brand which is NYX.  Depressingly we don't get NYX in the shops in the UK.  But you can pick up items on quite a few things from online stores like Cherry Culture, Love Make Up and sometimes Cheap Smells sells some bits and pieces now and again.

(L-R) Indian Pink and Thalia

First things first, I love the packaging.  It is basic but I like how the colour of the lipstick is shown at the bottom of the tube - so you can see what colour it is.  Great when you're in rush trying to pick a lipstick.

(L-R) Indian Pink and Thalia

The lipsticks themselves are very pretty I have the shades Indian Pink which is a pinky-coral and Thalia which is a natural muted mauve-brown shade.  The lipsticks are very pigmented and have a creamy texture. They apply fantastically - you hardly need to make any effort! 

(L-R) Indian Pink and Thalia

I would recommend blotting your lips after you apply them for a more natural look, as they can make the lips looked a little caked depending on how much you apply.  They are quite long lasting, staying on for up to two hours especially if you avoid eating and drink.  On to the lip swatches . . .

(L-R ) Indian Pink and Thalia

I love the colours, Thalia is much more a neutral colour as Indian Pink is more of a coral.  They are velvety and a great quality for such a inexpensive brand.  Gives MAC a run for their money!!

Have you tried NYX?

Angela xoxo