Birthday Presents - MAC Stuff

I received a MAC makeup lesson as a birthday gift. The lesson was £50 and then afterwards I was allowed to redeem that amount in products. The makeup lesson was an hour and a half long, in the back room with all the bright white lighting that makes your skin look amazing.  The MAC lady went through skincare, prepping skin before makeup, foundation application, highlighting and various other processes with me. She had a look at my skin, and thought that it was a bit dehydrated (which was true) otherwise there were no major concerns. I enjoyed the lesson, and I picked up these products to add to my collection. 

My haul, lol 

Magenta liner, Moisture cover concealer in NC45, Flat out Fabulous - Lipstick , Blucsh - Ambering Rose

This lipstick colour is just tooo gorgeous.

Great blush for summer outings and photos. 

There is a bit of a back story here, this gift was for my 2013 birthday. I got the  voucher in July but the MAC concession in Leicester Highcross where I originally wanted to book in. They could not fit me in unless it was during the day, which was no good for me since I would be at work. Also that MAC concession they do not have any lessons or makeovers on Saturdays because they are too busy. So I booked in at the MAC store in Nottingham, with my weekend schedule and their availability I only had the lesson about 3 weeks ago. (Yup from July to December) another person might think wow that is long for just 1 booking, I like the fact I had time to pop into the store, look at the products, choose my lipstick. Also I was able to look at my current makeup collection and see which items I needed to upgrade / add. 

Something similar happened last year as well. My brother bless his soul gave me  a MAC gift-card as a Christmas present. (MAC gift-cards are quickly becoming his go to gift  for all his sisters I have noticed.) Did I immediately go out and buy the first thing  I saw? No, I waited until I had a MAC item that finished then I replaced it. This time the item that finished (in April) was my MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural which you all know i am in very very very deep like with. For me the wait is a bit of a strategy as well as a saving mechanism.

This post is a bit of a ramble but I say all of that to say this. Sometimes it is better to hold out and wait to get those few items that you absolutely love. Even if you have to try them 4 times just to be sure. 

Have a great day my lovelies.

xx

Boots Star Gift - Sanctuary Ultimate Glow Pamper Tin

A little bit of self indulgence is on offer this week available from Boots. The Sanctuary Ultimate Glow Pamper Tin (sounds like the perfect prep before a night out) is on offer at the cost of £19 per tin. 

                                                     

The Ultimate Pamper Tin Contains:
-Body Wash (250ml)
-Body Lotion (250ml)
-Radiance Exfoliator (100ml)
-Fresh Faced Purifying Wash (140ml 
-Pumice Foot Scrub (50ml)
-Moisture Rich Foot Butter (50ml)
-Spa Pedicure Foot File
-Spa Skin Body Polisher
-Spa Facial Headband

Not only does the set include everything you need to get yourself ready for a glittery night out. It also comes with instructions. lol 

How to Use

Body Wash: Massage on to damp skin then rinse away. Therapist’s Tip: Finish your shower with a blast of cold water – as cold as you dare - to tone your skin, close pores and awaken your senses.

Body Lotion: Massage generously into clean skin after bathing to help awaken your senses, stimulate circulation and soften skin. Therapist’s Tip: Massage the lotion into slightly damp skin to lock in moisture and leave your skin satin smooth.

Radiance Exfoliator: 1. After cleansing, while face is still damp, apply a pea-sized quantity of the scrub & massage into skin. 2. Use upward circular movements paying particular attention to nose, forehead & chin. 3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. 4. Pat dry & apply Illuminating Moisture Lotion. Therapists Tip: This exfoliator can also be used on the back of hands to help even skin tone.

Fresh Faced Purifying Wash: 1. Add a splash of water to the product and rub between hands to activate the foam. 2. Work over face and neck in an upwards circular motion using your fingertips. 3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. 4. Pat dry and sweep Pore Refining Toner over face and neck. 5. Finish with a Sanctuary moisturiser.

Pumice Foot Scrub: Massage into damp skin from the base of the heel towards the toes. Rinse away the scrub and pat dry.

Moisture Rich Foot Butter: Massage the Sanctuary Moisture Rich Foot Butter generously all over both feet. For a more luxurious spa treatment, use with the Sanctuary Moisture Locking Socks.

Another great gift idea for you my lovelies.

xx

Joules Hampton Womens Quilted Jacket

Since purchasing my Joules Wellies last year. I have made it a habit to stop by the Joules website here and there to have a look at their products. Though I have been familiar with the brand since my college days, I have never purchased anything before my wellies. If you follow me on twitter you would have seen a few tweets from me inquiring about the fit of the Joules coats/clothing. I ordered the Joules Hampton Womens Quilted Jacket in Marine Navy from the Joules website. Then trooped to John Lewis in Leicester Highcross Shopping Centre to Joules on Monday evening, with the intention of trying on some jackets to get a feel of the fit. From the website it appeared that the Hampton Quilted jacket was shorter in length than the Oakwood Quilted jacket. 

Lightweight quilted blazer - Front 

Lightweight quilted blazer - Back

It was just my luck that there was a Joules Hampton Womens Quilted Jacket in size 8 on the rack and the fit when I tried it on was not too bad. It was long enough to come down a few inches on my hips which for me is adequate coverage. The only thing I am not 100% sold on is the blazer like lapels. This means that since it is a 2 button jacket, there is not as much coverage as I would ideally like in the upper chest area. Joules describes this jacket as being full of small town charm and big city style. The funky floral lining, and blazer like details are distinctive town elements,  whereas the quilting and corduroy bring the country. 

Printed contrast lining 

Decorative assorted  buttons 

Corduroy pocket detail

Single back vent

Button fastening 

Assorted buttons on sleeve and branding embroidery

This jacket would be a great gift for the autumn/winter weather, as a birthday or Christmas present. Plus let us not forget the super bargain price  £39.95 vs the RRP of £79.95.

Here's to winter warmth and super savings, 

my lovelies.

xx

   

Boots Star Gift - Laura Ashley Ultimate Indulgence Gift Set

 I saw a  lady in the Leicester Boots purchasing 4 of the Juicy Couture gift sets on Tuesday, now that lady knows a good deal.

   Laura Ashley might be more well known for their clothing and home wares than beauty products. However the clothing I own from this company/ lifestyle brand has been extremely well made. No hanging thread or mismatched seams at Laura Ashley no no no, therefore I am endorsing their foray into beauty products. If they have put as much effort into their cosmetics as their clothing, then I say you are in for a treat with this weeks star gift. 

   Enter the Laura Ashley Ultimate indulgence Gift set, my lovelies. "Take some time out to experience the luxury of Laura Ashley Beauty. Laura Ashley is a quintessentially English lifestyle brand founded on a rich design heritage and traditional values of quality, service and originality.

   This Ultimate Indulgence Gift Set is filled with Laura Ashley’s best indulgent bathing products. Revive your senses with the Wild Blossom products, or relax and unwind with Imperial Bloom. This great selection contains everything you need to ensure you’re body and hands are pampered and cared for. Everything is packaged together in a luxuriously printed drawstring bag to take a touch of elegance with you wherever you go.

   The indulgent collection is presented in a stunning gift box, printed with flowers and birds to match the drawstring bag. The sturdy and elegant box could be used to store your favourite toiletries or beauty accessories."

The Ultimate Gift Set Includes:

Wild Blossom Moisture-Rich Body Lotion (200ml)

Wild Blossom Rejuvenating Body Polisher (70g)

Wild Blossom Uplifting Body Wash (200ml)

Imperial Bloom Relax & Renew Bath Soak (250ml)

Imperial Bloom Enriching Body Butter (50ml)

Imperial Bloom Indulgent Fragrance Mist (150ml)

Imperial Bloom Nourishing Hand & Nail Cream (50ml)

Emery Board

Bath Lily

    All of this for the bargain price of £17, say what? If my bank balance was not looking so meager I would def be purchasing one of these Ultimate gift Sets for several reasons. 1. I am familiar with the Laura Ashley brand and the quality of their products. 2. This is a great gift for those of us who have spending limits on our Christmas  lists. If you are on of those persons with a £20 or less budget, you should be picking these up in multiples. 3. I have had a sniff and both scents are quite lovely. 4. If i had a daughter in uni this would be her Christmas gift, I would not even wrap it. Let that pretty box do all the work. 

    Think outside of the box ladies and gents not just Christmas think birthdays, anniversaries, get well soon, graduation, there are many occasions where this set would be a great gift. I suppose if you have not started your Christmas shopping yet this would be a great place to begin.

happy saving my lovelies.

xx 

Boots Star Gift - Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture, Couture Essentials Kit

Star Gift - Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture, Couture Essentials Kit currently 50% off at Boots RRP £60 now £29 for 1 week only. Kit comprises of a 30ml Viva la Juicy Eau de Parfum Spray (RRP £34.50), a Nail Lacquer Duo, a Viva la Juicy Rollerball & Lip Gloss Duo and Juicy Couture Stiletto Charm and a Cosmetic Bag. 

The fragrance has top notes of wild berries, mandarin, honeysuckle, gardenia and jasmine. while the bottom notes comprise of amber, caramel, vanilla sandal wood and praline. Not to mention the design of the bottle is gorgeous. This fragrance is definitely a heavy weight, winning not one but two Allure Readers Choice Awards in 2009 and 2012.The lipgloss & nail polish duos would be the perfect  travel sized addition to my makeup bag, keeping me ready for the festive season. 

This is a great gift set for Christmas or an upcoming birthday, made even better by the 50% off deal. 

There is nothing wrong with keeping some of your hard earned cash 

in your pockets my lovelies. Looks longingly at bank balance.

Have a great day and happy saving my lovelies. 

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Birthday Girl

     
     Today is my birthday,(also Alicia Keys, Kina and the big dog Robert Burns so I am in Good company) shimmy shimmy to the left, shimmy shimmy to the right. Time to eat cake and drink champagne (or whiskey since I am a winter baby). 

xx