Tuesday 11 December 2012

PICKS: AUTUMN/WINTER LIPSTICKS 2012

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket


I just had to include the last picture! I was positioning the camera when a cat sat on my garden gate caught my eye and I accidentally pressed the little camera icon that took the photo. I do love the Korres 'Wild Rose' Lip Butter even if I don't look as though I do!


These are my top five lip colours - they're the colours I always have stashed in my bag and the ones that I reach for the most. Some are recent additions that I can't live without and some are ones I have been using for months now... Maybe longer.


A/W12 saw the rise of the berry lip, which I embraced whole-heartedly. On the other hand I do still love a nude look for when the eyes are doing the talking instead of the mouth and obviously pink is wearable all year round.



So in no particular order they are as follows:


MAC 'MAGNETIQUE' LIPGLASS - REVIEW - BUY
I was lucky enough to win this as a giveaway prize from my gorgeous friend Islay. This is the perfect pop of blue-toned hot pinkness. The formula is really pigmented and there is a very subtle shimmer. It's a daring colour that I use when I want to boost my confidence. I heart it so much! 


It's a daring colour that I use when I want to boost my confidence.


ESTEE LAUDER 'BRILLIANT BARE' PURE COLOR LIPSTICK - REVIEW - BUY
How could I not include an Estee Lauder lipstick in this line up? My go-to higher end brand has come up trumps with this amazing nude colour that contains a hint of shimmer and enough hydration to keep my lips looking perfect all day and into the night.


My go-to higher end brand has come up trumps with this amazing nude colour.


RIMMEL LASTING FINISH BY KATE MOSS LIPSTICK IN '101' - REVIEW - BUY
I've never been the biggest Rimmel fan in the world - a few products have let me down in the past. These lipsticks, this one being the first of two in this Top 5, are the brand's saving grace. This is a light blue-toned pink that literally matches any outfit. It's feminine and easy to wear - what more could I want?


This is light blue-toned pink that literally matches any outfit.


RIMMEL LASTING FINISH BY KATE MOSS LIPSTICK IN '107' - REVIEW - BUY
From the moment my amazing friend Lisa bought me this lipstick I have been head over heels for it. There is no doubt that if one lipstick has made it into the majority of the beauty blogging world's shopping baskets it is this one. It screams out to be worn as it sums up the berry and plum trend of this autumn and winter to perfection - and even Dave loves it on me, so how could I not include it?


There is no doubt that if one lipstick has made it into the majority of the beauty blogging world's shopping baskets it is this one.


KORRES 'WILD ROSE' LIP BUTTER - REVIEW - BUY
As tinted lip balms and butters go this is the product I would place at the top of the list. Its a subtle pink-red that can be built up to provide the intensity that you want to it to. It's not sticky, conditions the lips so that they're smooth and soft and smells incredible. It's love.


As tinted lip balms and butters go this is the product I would place at the top of the list.


Which lipsticks and colours have you been using the most this autumn and winter?

Sunday 9 December 2012

EVENT: FRANCESCO GROUP BIRMINGHAM ACADEMY

The 1st of December saw the meeting of like-minded girls in Birmingham for the Christmas Blogger Meet-Up, organised by the wonderful Hayley from Strangeness and Charm. The lovelies I passed the afternoon with, including Hayley, were:

Photobucket
TOP ROW: Hayley, Jessica. Amy, Gemma
BOTTOM ROW: Char, Chloe, Andy
All images stolen from twitter profile pictures/accounts

Friday 23 November 2012

RITUAL: EVENING SKINCARE ROUTINE 2012

Confession: I never used to be bothered about my skin as much as I am now. I used to simply wipe my face with a face-wipe and that was it. No moisturiser. No exfoliator. Nothing. I did throw on the occasional facemask but it was once in a blue moon. Then I hit 22, realised that great skin doesn't run in my family (as both of my parents look older than they actually are) and decided that I was really going to have to start looking after myself should I want to stop looking 30 and actually look my age.


I hit 22, realised that great skin doesn't run in my family... and decided that I was really going to have to start looking after myself should I want to stop looking 30 and actually look my age.

Sunday 11 November 2012

FOOD: STEAK AND SALAD

I always um-and ah over my meal plans. As much as I love autumn and winter for their carb-filled and stodge-fuelled allowances, when it comes to food I still am one of those girls that sometimes just fancies something a bit different - something lighter. During a conversation with Islay the other day she sent me a picture of what looked like the most delicious salad in the world. What is more - the ingredients were listed underneath and I was lustful for it.


As much as I love autumn and winter for their carb-filled and stodge-fuelled allowances, when it comes to food I am still one of those girls that just fancies something a bit different - something lighter.


Knowing Dave hates salad I decided that I needed to be clever if I was to incorporate it into a dinner. He said he wanted steak and I said I wanted salad - so why not put them both together and whilst he was tucking into chips with his sirloin I could have the salad with mine instead. Simple pimple. Problem solved.

Thursday 8 November 2012

VIDEO: MY PERFECT RED LIP

Red lips are classic. They say high-maintenance, high-glamour and sexy-as-hell. Everyone's red lip is individual. Some paler ladies prefer the blue toned deep red opposed to the more orangy-coral reds that flatter tans more. Some prefer a matte finish to a sheer - whilst others plump simply for a stain or slick of balm to give a hint of that 'just bitten' look. Cherry, Brick, Russian, Scarlet, Vermilion,  Post-Box, Ferrari - there are so many reds to choose from that I couldn't possibly list them all. They're all beautiful but this post is about my perfect red lip. And I love a red-lip - I really do!




Friday 2 November 2012

REVIEW: ESTEE LAUDER LASH PRIMER PLUS


VIDEO: OCTOBORE FAVOURITES

Here are my favourites for October. I know they're a couple of days but oh well! Better late than never!

I will list all of the links below so you can check everyone that I have mentioned. Also, all of the products mentioned have also been reviewed so I will list those below as well.





REVIEW: RIMMEL LASTING FINISH BY KATE LIPSTICK IN 107


Thursday 1 November 2012

FOOD: APPLE AND BLUEBERRY CRUMBLE

Crumbles are possibly the easiest dessert in the world to make. They're also one of the UK's favourite puddings too - especially as autumn fades into winter and everyone starts to crave the sweet and filling rather than the light and cool.


This is my Apple and Blueberry recipe. I don't use a strict recipe for it - I (as they call it in the catering trade) 'cowboy' the hell out of it. I have a rough idea about weights though so if you go with the guidelines I have sort-of created you won't be able to go far wrong.


This recipe makes three-four small portions. It's freezable though so if you don't want to eat it all in one go (try not doing) then you can simply save it for another day.



REVIEW: LILY LOLO MINERAL BLUESHES


Thursday 25 October 2012

REVIEW: ESTEE LAUDER ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR EYE SYNCHRONIZED COMPLEX



I've had a couple of these little sample pots of Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex knocking around my stash for months and months now. They're common free-gift-with-purchase fodder when it comes to Estee Lauder freebies. Having suffered such a strange reaction to the Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream, and having never used this eye gel for a continued period before, I was reluctant to see what would happen. I gave it a go anyway and I'm really glad that I did.


This is a gel more than a cream. It isn't fragranced and sinks in very quickly when patted onto the brow bone and under the eye (I never put a product like this directly onto the lids of my eyes). It's quite cooling - even more so if kept in the fridge so that it de-puffs my eye-bags first thing in the morning. 


I have definitely noticed an improvement in my eye area over the course of using this (roughly 10 days so far). It's brightened and lifted any uneven skin tone around my eyes. It also seems to have stopped my eyes from feeling dry, especially recently with all of the blustery weather the UK has been enduring recently.


I really like it but would I recommend it? The RRP is £37.00 for 15ml which is very expensive... I would say take advantage of the FGWP offers when they're available and get this as an added extra. Even though it's meant to be used day and night a little goes a long long way and I can't see myself running out of this any time soon - at least not until my next bout of Estee Lauder purchases.


Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex is available at Estee Lauder counters across the UK and online.

REVIEW: LUSH MASK OF MAGNAMINTY FACE AND BACK PACK


REVIEW: ESTEE LAUDER 'ART OF EYES' SUBTLE SMOKEY EYES KIT


Thursday 18 October 2012

VIDEO: BIRTHDAY HAUL

Hello everyone!


I disappeared for a few days, didn't I? I just didn't have the time to blog this week unfortunately! It was my birthday on Wednesday and the day before that I was running about like a headless chicken trying to get everything sorted. I don't have much of an excuse because I could have scheduled some things in but I simply haven't been able to write.


My birthday was great (apart from a little cry when I thought my brothers had completely forgotten what day it was - and two still haven't been in contact at all yet!) and now I am enjoying a relaxing day off, playing with all of my new things and have been filming a YouTube video where I can show you all what I have received! I have been very spoiled and I am very appreciative to everyone that wished me a Happy Birthday on Twitter too! You were all so lovely and made my day so thank you very much!


This video is something silly like 30 minutes long because I've rambled on and on... Watch for the postman too! He manages to frighten the life out of me! I suggest you skip through anything you find boring... I bored myself watching it back so I won't be offended!





Anyway the normal posting schedule is now in place again so I will see you all tomorrow for some more reviews and general chit chat!


Helen xxx

WHAT I WORE: MY BIRTHDAY MEAL 2012