Whats In My Bag: Zara Leather Messenger Bag

Last week I hauled this lil gem, my Zara Leather Messenger bag. 

 Today I thought I would do a little follow up/ Whats In My Bag, to show what I take with me on nights out. 

my lil gem all packed up

Darn tootin' (I've been watching too many Nashville episodes)

Diary

Passport

Lipgloss - MAC

Mints - Extra

Hand Sanitizer - Carex (decanted into the Purell container)

Blot Power - MAC

Asthma Inhaler - Salbutomol Sulphate

Lipstick - Rimmel, Sleek

Hand Cream - L'Occitane

Mini Mascara - Benefit

Pen - Bic

I must admit, I  thought that I would have to return this bag.
 Since it would be full after I put in my lipgloss and inhaler, but this lil bag holds quite a few things. I had to eat my words. 
It is s lovely little bag, with a great price point, plus it is made from  leather.
I look forward to many adventures with my lil gem.
 It is especially handy right now for trips to the pub to watch the world cup games.

xx

The Red Lippy Project

Rimmel Kate Moss #22, Sleek Stiletto, Rimmel Kate Moss 01 or the classic like MAC Ruby Woo a bit of red lippie is an instant face perk. There is just something about a red lip that gives my face a bit extra oomph. No matter what age or stage of life you are, a red lipstick has a place in your heart. 

Now the red lipstick is moving onto even greater things. Along with  Cervical Screening Awareness Week June 8th - 14th. The Red Lippy Project is raising awareness about the importance of cervical screening (yes/really/that) and getting those most at risk to attend screenings by wearing our red lipsticks and sharing the  pictures. 

Cervical Cancer Facts

Cervical cancer is the third most common malignancy to affect women, with over half a million cases occurring worldwide each year. It is the most common cancer in women under 35 years of age.

Cervical screening uses a test called Liquid Based Cytology which most people know as the ‘smear test’. A small instrument called a speculum is inserted into the vagina and a sample of cells from the cervix is taken with a small brush. These cells are sent to a laboratory to be tested for abnormalities. This test takes just a few minutes. 

Cervical screening reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer.

75% of cervical cancers in women in their 50s and 60s,
60% of cervical cancers in women in their 40s
45% of cervical cancers in women in their 30s.
Since the introduction of cervical screening in the 1980s, rates of cervical cancer have almost halved

The Red Lippy Project is being supported by Topshop who have created a special ‘Red Lippy Lippy’ especially in honour of the campaign.

To support the campaign take a selfie and upload to your favourite social networking sites using the hashtag #redlippyproject and #makeamark to get involved and do your bit. Also check out https://redlippyproject.squarespace.com to find out how else you can get involved.

Most important my lovelies, please get screened.

Face Of The Day: Purple If You Please

Hello lovelies, my sister is down from uni and I roped her into being my photographer for today. 

This is just a quick face of the day post using a few of the snaps she took of me this morning. 

My camera is currently in Boston by way of New York,

 which is why I have been a bit slow with the posts this week. Not to worry, I plan on putting my lil sisters smartphone to work!!!!

Products

Murad Perfecting Day cream spf 30

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturizer Walnut

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark 

Mac Studio finish concealer - eyebrows

Mac moisture cover concealer - under eyes

Nars Blush in Taos

MAC Liner pencil in Magenta (tha boss!!!!)

MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous (tha cross!!!!)

Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in LUST

Soap and Glorayyyyyyy Thick and fast Mascara

L'Oreal Made For Me Natural eyebrow and duo eyeshadow for dark skin tones  (the one with the photo of Kerry Washington 

Lust on lower lash line, mascara on top lashes only

#PurpleIfYouPlease

#NoBareLips30:Pink Lips

                               
"The No Bare Lips Challenge was started by blogger Keiki Kaveri to prove that lipstick could be worn everyday without purchasing anything new." It is time to shop your stash ladies, have a scrummage around your makeup bags/drawers and pull out all of your glosses, tint and lipsticks the brighter the better.
                                             Check out KeikoKavari's blog here 



                                           

                                                   On the lips: Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in #02

#NoBareLips30

                        Details, and Challenge Calendar (Daily Themes)  HERE 

Birthday 2014 - OOTN

Yesterday was my birthday  (25th January)  there was a lot of love via calls, texts, cards, champagne and cake, cake, cake cake. Shout out to my aunty M for being the first call of the day and to G for being the first text of the day. Usually I am awake and my skype pops off at midnight  with my friends calling to sing me happy birthday. This year I was asleep so the skyping/calling had to wait til the morning. 

Face 

Laura Mercia Tinted Moisturiser - Walnut

MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural - Deep Dark, Dark deep (whatever they are calling it these days)

Sleek Blush - Flushed#

Rimmel Brow Pencil - Dark brown

Kate Moss by Rimmel lipstick - 22 

Dress - Little Mistress via House of Fraser

Shoes - Call it Spring

Happy Birthday my fellow January births,

 back to the celebrations now.

xx 

Spring Beauty Essentials

Brita fill n Go water bottle - this water bottle comes with a filter in the top. so as you drink the water gets filtered for impurities. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - a light powder which enhances my natural skintone, keeps down the shine and gives me a soft shimmery glow. I have been using this without fail since 2010. This is my go to present when my gf's don't know what to buy me as a gift. As you can see I already have a backup for when this one finishes.

Body shop Raspberry Body Scrub - flaky skin is a spring time no no, this body scrubs smells like jam doughnuts but it gets the job done.

Zara Rose edt - a nice scent to spray during the day, perfect size to carry along in my hand bag. 

Body Shop Shimmer Brick - this I use over my cheek bones to enhance then a little. Sometimes I use with a kabuki brush all over my face if my MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation is looking too heavy.  other times I use the individual shades and make a lovely smokey eye. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 02 - lovely vibrant Fushia lipstick. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 22 - Red lipstick with Orange undertones.

Nails Inc Warick Avenue - a pink polish is never out of place in the spring

What are your Spring Beauty essentials? 

Comment below and let me know

xx

Spring Nail Polishes

Soooooooo the weatherman keeps saying that it is spring. I do not believe him. Anyway here are a few Spring suited nail polishes to glam up your hands.

 These are the colours a lot of people are going for at the moment, pastels/nudes. For the  light pastels I have in my polish collection  Ciate Purple Sherbert, Barry M 308 Pale Purple, Nails Inc Warwick Avenue, Barry M 309 Pale Pink, Rimmel 703 Pear Drop, Barry M 304 Mint Green.

Barry M 295 Pure Turquoise, Nude - Ciate Bon Bon, Barry M 307 Pale Yellow

Happy Painting my lovlies.

xx

Wishlist

 Wishlist 

Just a few things I have my eye on,so I have started counting my sheckles 

Joules welliebobs link

No7 Cleansing Brush link 

Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm link 

Ecotools Bamboo Bronzer Brush link

Maybelline Master Shape Brow in soft Brown link 

Eylure Shape and shade Brow Pencil and Tamer Dark - Medium Brunette link 


PIXI glow tonic 

Rimmel scandal eyes black/blue eyeliner

Clinique Take the day off cleansing balm

Dior Miss Dior Cherie EDP 30ml 

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Face Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm link

Peter Thomas Roth Max Strength complexion clearing pads link 

*Nuxe Ultra Nourishing Lip Balm link 

 *La Roche Posay effeclar face wash

 *La Roche Posay effeclar toner

 La Roche Posay effeclar duo

 La Roche Posay effeclar k

Avene Cleanane K 

Avene sunscreen


xx
Miss Mai 

My 11 most reached for Beauty products.........

    This is a tag that has been around in the online beauty community for a while with beauty bloggers and vloggers. I find that with beauty being such a huge area we are constantly trying to find ways to set ourselves apart, however there is nothing wrong with conforming at times. Beauty tags in my opinion are a great way to find out what products, persons with similar interest are using. Other bloggers may be using a product you are using but in multiple ways, where as you may be only using it one way. These tags are a quick and easy way to share information. 

My 11 most reached for Beauty products

Victoria Jackson face palette (£20 with 3 other products) - 16 eye shadows, 6 lipsticks, a translucent powder, a bronzer and a blush.  -------> do not buy

L'oreal Made for Me Naturals, Brow and Eye Duo, Dark Skin Tones (£7) - 2 eye shadows and a brow powder.

Mascara - at the moment I am using the Soap and Glory Thick and Fast mascara (£10)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark  (£18.50)one of my girl friends aka the pageant junkie put me onto this a few years ago and I have loved it ever since. It gives me life!!!!! 

Estee Lauder  Bronzing brush  (£23) - a kabuki brush (but you know everybody is trying to be fancy)  when I bought this brush I though damn this is expensive, but its been 3 years and it works just as amazing now as it did the first day I bought it. 

Avene Rich hydrating creme spf 20 (£10.50) - this is what I am currently using as sunblock/spf protection. (trying to be as well preserved as possible for as long as possible, lol. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter hand cream (£7.50) - This hand cream is rich, but absorbs into skin very very easy. There is none of that greasy feeling after application. I absolutely love it. I am going to admit I have 3 of these as backups, no I am not shamed. They are always giving these away in magazines and I cop the freebies. Ain't NO shame in this L'Occitane game. 

Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil 004 Black Brown (£2.99) - if you do not have one of these -----> you need to get your life. 

Black eyeliner - at the moment I am using Maybelline Khol express water proof eyeliner glam black (4£4.99) - a blatant copy of the Urban decay 24/7 eyeliner, it does the job.

Coloured Eyeliner - I do not discriminate, in ratation i have from Urban decay -> Lucky, Lust, Electric, and Covet, H & M eyepens -> Bronze, Dark Grey, Maybelline Khol Express waterproof Eyeliner pencils -> Metallic Blue, Metallic Green, Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definers -> Pink impact, Aqua sparkle, MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil -> Navy Stain, Barry M Khol pencil -> 19, Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye liner pencil -> Azure Shimmer. 

Lip Balm - At the moment I am using Blistex lip massage, Nivea Pure and Natural milk and honey, Blistex Daily lip conditioner.

miss mai

xx

Comment below and let me know what products you reach for most often (even if its your grandmas face cream, wink wink)

Summer Skin - the new way to glow

    Though the sun has been fleeting here in the UK, other parts of the world are enjoying blazing temperatures. Trips to the beach and pool parties are well under weigh with travels to foreign lands on the horizon for individuals. Below are just a few things which can be used to keep us looking great while we try to keep up with the summer festivities.

Clean and Clear Morning energy skin brightening daily facial moisturiser - well that was a mouthful, lol let me have a sip of water before I continue. This is a non greasy moisturiser that in chock a block with shimmer. When applied ot the skin the moisturiser sinks in very well and you are left with a very healthy, glowy complexion (not oily). It smells great too since it is full of lemon and papaya extracts (which are supposed to brighten the skin over time by eating away at the dead skin cells, similar to the Elemis  Try-enzyme face wash).

Soap and glory Sweet Almond Dry oil body gloss  with ultra subtle powder glimmer for sexy long distance shimmer.  - there you have it what more can I say? I use this product mostly on my legs if I am wearing shorts + heels to an event. It does what it says on the packaging case closed and good night. lol 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish - These are great for providing highlight for the face and décolletage. They also can be used as blushes, and eyeshadows. 

MAC Mineralize skin finish natural in Deep Dark -  everyday face powder, with SUBTLE shimmer great for wearing to work if you do not want to wear foundation, a bit of this, some coral blush, mascara and you are ready for the day. Looks amazing on skin.  

L'Oreal Paris Glam Bronze Bronzing power Long Lasting - SPF10 - Bronzing powder great for use as a blush to give your cheek bones a bit of oomph. Can be used to create a contour effect on paler skintones. 

Sleek Blush in Coral - a hint of coral (peachy orange) colour and a wash of shimmery goodness, looks great when accompanied by a smile, great everyday blush, especially if you work in an office or a corporate setting, also great for lunch with your girlfriends or just to a casual party setting. Apply with a light hand a little goes a long way, take care not to put it on the apples of your cheeks.

Sleek Blush in Sunrise -   a hint of pink colour and a wash of shimmery goodness, looks great when accompanied by a smile, great everyday blush, especially if you work in an office or a corporate setting. Apply with a light hand a little goes a long way, take care not to put it on the apples of your cheeks. Lovely on darker skin tones, as well as lighter skin tones. 

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Trace gold -  this is an excellent highlighter for cheeks and eyes, can be worn as an eye shadow if you so desire. 

Sleek Makeup Palettes in Jewels, Sunset and The Original - these 3 palettes contain all the eye makeup you will need. 

Eye Pen by H&M in Bronze -  great for giving your eyes a bit of colour.

Urban Decay  24/7 Glide on Eye pencil in Lucky -  great for giving eyes a hint of colour, excellent staying power.

Eyeshadow by H&M in Brown dust - A little pot of eyeshadow with great staying power, excellent for just a pop of colour or a wash all over the eyelid. 

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer (dewy finish) - This is a primer which contains very very fine particles of shimmer, best used under liquid foundation as it gives a natural glow to the skin and makes it appear nice and healthy.

Eyeshadow by H&M in Pearl dust -  A little pot of eyeshadow with great staying power, excellent for just a pop of colour or a wash all over the eyelid. When combined with Brown dust above gives a great Shimmery/bronzey smoky eye perfect for the summer. Great for providing inner corner highlight. 

Benefit High Beam - luminescent complexion enhancer aka its a highlighter, dab this along your nose and the top of your cheekbones.

The Body shop Shimmer Cubes - Shade 01 Pearly white found in Palette 18, Shade 02 golden sun found in Palette 15, Shade 02 Sea shell found in Palette 19. These are versatile litte nuggets, they can be used wet or dry and come in a cube containing 4 individually wrapped cubes of eye shadow. These three shades are great for providing inner corner/ brow bone highlight. they can also be used on the lid by themselves or combined with other shadows to create eye makeup looks.

Superdrug Vitamin E Shimmer Body Lotion - this is a moisturiser which contains body shimmer, excellent for giving your body a nice glow. Also this can be used to highlight specific areas, such as the décolletage, shoulders, arms, legs any specific area which you want to show off. The Superdrug vitamin E shimmer lotion is Tres fab, especially if you apply  fake tan on underneath it. What I do is if I have an event coming up I will apply the Palmers natural bronze body lotion for a few days before the event and then the day or night of the event I will apply the shimmer lotion on top…………the combo is positively amazing.   

Sidenote - The Body Shop also has a Coconut shimmer body lotion. I recommend that 4 friends/sisters split the cost of purchase, divide it into four equal sections. These four sections can be held in a small container with a cover until the shimmer lotion finishes. Remember a little goes a long way. 

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan makeup in medium shimmer - This is a fake tan and body shimmer 2 in 1 product makes your body look great, excellent for nights at the club which you are wearing shorts rub this on your legs wait 10 minutes so that it dries COMPLETELY and then put on your clothes. 

"That Gal" Brightening Face Primer by Benefit - great primer makes your face look lovely when makeup is applied over it. 

Get to Glowing

xx

Face of the day - Last uni exam

L'ancome Teint Idole Ultra 24 hour foundation in #13
Rimmel brow pencil 004 in Black Brown
Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara in Black
Nivea Milk and Honey lipbalm

Lipstick Faves for Autumn/Winter

   Hey guys and gals long time no blog. This is just a quick list to tell you my Lipsticks that I will be wearing for the winter months. Now even though not all of my readers are in a cold climate like I am they will be sure to take away something from this post. 

Avon - A kiss of pink , this is a hybrid between a lipstick and a lipglos, it goes on smoothly and gives a great finish.

Sleek True colour  - Majestic, this is a gorgeous deep berry/plum shade it gives a matte finish, so you may want to pair with a gloss. 

Pics of my wearing Sleek Stiletto lipstick to a prohibition party....xx

Sleek True Colour - Stiletto, this is a lovely red matte lipstick with a tiny hint of an orange undertone, but not garish. You may pair with a gloss.

M.A.C. - Ruby woo this is a red liptick with blue undertones, it  also has a matte finish. This is the holy holy holy grail of red lipsticks, it looks great on every skin tone under the sun. I have it on good authority that it tends to be very drying so please make sure lips are well moist to prevent chapping, pairs well with Cherry lipliner also from MAC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waDA_WaU6TA&feature=channel_video_title M.A.C Artist Caroline D. Creating a look that is as much red carpet glamorous as rock and roll rebel, she demonstrates the secrets to achieving an iconic red mouth. She is using RubyWoo lipstick from M.A.C.

Estee Lauder Pure Colour - Red apple, this is another berry lipstick it is a lighter berry, and has a lustre finish.

Rimmel London Lasting finish by Kate Lipstick - #01 this is a gorgeous true red lipstick which has a lustre finish. It is not too bright nor too dark, it is just perfect and at £5.49. with this baby you are guaranteed to turn heads and stop a few roads of traffic. 

Here they are  Red Apple, Kate Moss #01, Ruby Woo, and Majestic, Stiletto has pulled a disappearing act on me at the moment. 

Special mentions :

Sleek tinted lip conditioner in Scandal which is a delicious blood red lip conditioner.

Revlon superloustrous lipgloss in Firecracker.

I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles.

Audrey Hepburn 

How much does your face cost.......

     Hey guys I'm coming to you with a post today, which stems from a tag I saw going around on the Beauty Blogs called "how much does your face cost."  The concept is that you get together the makeup that you would reach for on a day to day basis, on the days that you wear makeup and add up how much everything costs. Here I am going to go through mine bear in mind that some things may be used interchangeably eg foundation and tinted moisturiser or the eye shadows. However these are my staple  most used products here goes:

1. Mac Studio Fix  Powder + Foundation compact NW45 £19.50

2. Benefit "that gal" brightening face primer £21.50

3. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark £18.50

4. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil 004 black brown £2.99

5. Rimmel The max volume flash mascara £3.99

6. Clinique Plum Seduction eyeshadow palette

7. Mac Studio Finish Concealer spf35 £13.50

8. L'Oreal Glam Bronze Bronzing powder £7.99

9. Boujois mineralise blush 74 Rose Ambre £5.99

10. Victoria Jackson eye palette part of a set that cost £20 (no longer available)

11. L'Oreal Made for me Naturals Brow and eyeshadow £2.99 (no longer available)

12. Sleek blush in Sahara £4.30

13. Sleek blush in Sunrise £4.30

14. Sleek blush in Flushed £4.30

15. Mac Prep and Prime eye Dark  £12

16. Hello kitty lip balm in blackberry £2.99

17. L'Oreal eyeliner 13 Noir intense (jet black) 4.50

18. Urban Decay tinted moisuriser £17

      This may seem like alot of stuff but remember things like blushes are used interchangeably please do not for a second think I wear 4 blushes all at once, chuckles to myself.  this revealed a things 1. I only bought 5 things on this list the total cost of those items £37.79,  the total amount of these items £168.34, and two of the items on this list are no longer available lol. Now the idea of this is that you find a dupe (cheaper version/own brand but with similar quality) for these products which costs less. 

    I quite like alot of these products here but there are two definites that I will be checking dupes for  primer - Gosh primer £12 from superdrug and Accesorize minieralise blushes which are a really good dupe for the Mac mineralise skin finish natural  which costs £6.50 also at superdrug. The tinted moisturiser you guys know I absolutely hate so I will be upgrading that with the Bobbi Brown oil free tinted moisturiser in May.

xoxo

Summer of Iridescence: Rimmel nail polishes for summer.

When I think of summer I always think of bold bright, colours, I have yet to figure out if it is the creativeness or the island girl in me. Rimmel is better known for its makeup, however their nail  polishes are not too shabby. I did a little polish haul. The polishes are all iridescent, which means your nails are guaranteed to grab some attention.

 These are from Rimmels new range of quick drying polishes, there are some matte colours but I only wanted the ones with the sparkle. These ones also have a larger than normal brush which makes applying the polish very quick.

 These are from Rimmels 2009/2010 summer collection these are supposed to be super long lasting.

 Azure

 Azure after 2 coats and top coat

 Black Cherries

 Coral Crush

 Portabello Pink

 Pulsating

 Purple Reign

 Green with Envy

Shocker

These polishes are really good quality, however you need 2 or 3 coats to get the true colour of the polish. Use with top coat.

xoxo