The White Shirt from 9 - 5 to 5 - 9 and all the time in between

Whenever I buy something new, I get a little tingly feeling, which makes me happy, the shoppers high. ( you know what I am speaking about, lol) Plus if the item was on SALE (50% off or more, anything less is not a sale.) You need to tie string around me to keep me grounded because I will float away on joy. I work hard, and I enjoy spending my coins. At the same time,

 when I buy something I make sureeeeeeeeeeeee  I get my moneys worth. Unless a beauty item is giving me an allergic reaction, I am using that sucker down to the last drop, swipe, squeeze. In relation to clothing,

 I never by an outfit, I buy pieces. A skirt here, a shirt there, some trousers, a pair of shoes. I do not buy an item unless I can think of at least 5 places I can wear it or a few items in my closet I can mix and match it with. 

With that in mind I am putting together my new series named the White Shirt Series ( I still need to finish my MAC series but I will get to that.) Some of the photos will be old photos from blog posts before,  some of the pictures will be new and other photos I have had sitting on my computer for eons (waiting for the inspiration to arrive, or maybe the sunshine. 

Shoes - Office, Jeans - Zara, Belt - GAP, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara, Lipstick - MAC Ruby Woo, Bag - Zara

Boots - Diesel, Jeans - Zara, Belt - GAP, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara

Shoes - Zara, Trousers - Next, Shirt - T. M. Lewin,
Blazer - Zara

Have a great Saturday  my lovelies.

xoxo

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

#NoBareLips30: Purple If You Please

#NoBareLips30: Purple if YOU Please

"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: MAC Liner Pencil in Magenta

                                  MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Flat - Out Fabulous

#NoBareLips30

                        Details, and Challenge Calendar (Daily Themes)  HERE 

   xo xo 

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

April Favourites

Hey lovelies, I am tucked up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining cats and dogs outside. 

So I have decided to share with you what were my favorite products for the month of April. 

Some of these products you might have seen before, some of them are new. 

Everyday Favourites: 

Armani shades - between low glare in the mornings and the dazzling sunlight in the afternoons, having these bad boys in my hand bag have been a necessity. 

Jack Wills umbrella - did you know umbrellas are pricey? Like seriously this umbrella was "12 and it was half price!!!!. I came to the rude awakening, that I have never actually purchased  an umbrella, (when I bought this umbrella).  I mean for an every day product, they are pricey, especially if you want a sturdy one to hold up against these hurricane rains /tornado winds we seem to be getting these past few months. 

Body Favorites:

Garnier 7 day Intense moisturizing lotion - good moisturizer not to light and now to heavy  perfect for the fluctuating temperatures of Spring. 

 Dove Hibiscus and Almond shower cream - has been keeping my skin clean as well as soft. Sanctuary body spray - great for spritzing on the go, as well as topping up during the day, the scent is very light. I know you are wondering why I have two body scrubs/exfoliators as well as exfoliating gloves. Exfoliating gloves are the business, I use them every day, with my Dove Almond and Hibiscus shower cream.  

There is a method to the madness with the 2 body scrubs. Gigi No Bump Scrub - is for use in delicate areas such as the bikini line and decolletage.  The Body Shop Raspberry Body Scrub this is for use every where, but I moistly focus on the back of my thighs and arms with this. 

Face Favourites:

 Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer - medium coverage plus spf, this has been my regular base not that the morning have been lighter. 

 Garnier Micellar water -this has been a great makeup remover, plus at 400ml for £4.99, this has been great value for money. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - great face powder on its own as well as topping up my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer. 

 Murad perfecting day cream with spf 30 - it goes on and gives my skin a grey  tinge, which does not last. My skin totally absorbs it  and it leave no residue, plus it doesn't interfere with the application of my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer which contains spf 20.

 (I am all for the spf, I am going to be as well preserved as possible, no leather face here. Moisturizer, water and spf are my friends) 

Hair Favourites:

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion - I've been using this for years. It works great as a hair moisturizer I just continue using it. 

Almond Oil (decanted into the Tresemme liquid gold bottle) - this is what I use to seal in the moisture of the Olive oil hair lotion. 

There you have it my April favourites,

xxx

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

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 

The Birthday Wishlist 2014

My sisters always buy me what they think I will like present wise, not what I ask for.  I have specifically asked for money this year, however a request for gift ideas have been asked for.  If they deviate from the simple request, hopefully they will choose something from this list of  carefully cultivated items.

Gentlewoman by Enitan Bereola

Never Wrestle with a Pig - Mark McCormack

Jack Wills Berridge Merino Crew - size 8 (Navy)

Jack Wills Latchmere Cardigan - size 8 (Pink)

Jack Wills Beckside Crew - size 8 (Navy)

Joules Islington Womens Postcard purse - Dark Aqua

Joules Islington Womens Postcard Purse - Dark Pink

Joules Brindley Pheasant Umbrella - (yes an umbrella, 

you know what the British weather is like)

TM Lewin knot cufflinks

TM Lewin Vouchers

MAC  Vouchers

Space NK Vouchers

Money 

Face Of The Day

Take no notice of my backyard selfie. I refrained from cropping the shadow of my hand across the photo, because it adds to the authenticity of the image. lol lol 

Face of the Day includes 

MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation -  NW45

IMAN Powder -  Earth Dark

Nars Blush - Outlaw ( I still love that name, lol)  

Soap and Glory Thick and Fast Super Volume Mascara

MAC Moisture Cover Concealer - NW45 & NC45  (under eyes)

MAC Studio Finish Concealer - NW45 (shaping brows and covering blemishes)

MAC Prep and Prime Eye - Dark

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick - Flat out Fabulous

MAC Lip pencil  - Magenta 

xo xo 

Christmas Wishlist 2013

        Keeping it short and sweet this year on the gifting front. Top of the list are two books which I am dying to get my hands on. Next on the list up are makeup brushes and the ever essential headphones for listening to music on my nano.

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants  by Malcolm Gladwell

Gentlewoman by Enitan Bereola

Never Wrestle with a Pig - Mark McCormack

Don't Waste Your Pretty -  Demetria Lucas

Models Own Angle Blush Brush

Eco Tools Retractable Kabuki Brush 

Apple Headphones - White

Eco Tools Powder Brush 

Soap and Glory Good, Butter, Best Gift set

Soap and Glory Once Upon a Lime Gift set.

MAC vouchers

 Boots vouchers

Editors' Essentials

Sometimes it's hard to look immaculate all the time, even when you love beauty products/ cosmetics as much as I do. These are the hero products which keep me looking fabulous and fresh all day long. 

 

7am - Zara White edt 30ml I spritz  this on in the morning and as a lil pick me up throughout the day. At one point I would only purchase 100ml sized fragrances, but now I hardly ever. 30ml is the perfect sized fragrance for me. Small enough to carry around in my hand bag/travel with and enough product for me to figure out if it warrants repurchase. 



10am - Jergens Ultra Healing Hand cream keeps the skin on my hands moisturized and supple. I love hand creams, larger ones like these (5oml and up) I keep on my desk at work/in my hand bag. In the evenings when I go out for a meal or drinks, I will slip one of my L'Occitane Shea Butter (30ml) hand creams into my clutch. 

12pm - MAC Lip Gelee reapplied to  my lips after the 2 cups of tea I have had. I love lip products, this one in particular because it moisturizes  gives a hint of colour and I also get a bang for my buck product wise.  

2pm- MAC Blot powder after the glow sets in, this blot powder helps to soak up the excess sebum which sets in on my oily skin after a while. This product is great after hours as well, it keeps me looking together if I have any errands to run after work. 

5pm - Avene Thermal water misted all over my face & neck, cools me down for the walk home after work. 


Twitter
Bloglovin

what are your essentials lovelies?

comment below and let me know.  

My travel Makeup/Skincare/Bodycare UK August Bank holiday

You already know about my disastrous experience at Notting Hill Carnival. What you do not know is, before I went to London, I had to attend my Godsons christening. Which meant I had to do a bit of cross country travelling, therefore I had to break out my travel goodies. 

Body - Garnier Minerals Clean Sensation anti antiperspirant, Nivea Pearl Beauty gentle care antiperspirant, L'occitane Plum Blossom skin moisture gel (travel size), Marks and Spencers Coconut hand and body lotion (decanted into a travel sized bottle), The Body Shop Shea Butter Shower cream (travel size), Burberry Body Eau de Parfum, Elizabeth Arden Red door Revealed Eau de Parfum. 

Face - Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural lift and Sculpt Morninga Cleansing Balm (sample size), Origins Modern Friction (sample size), Clarins Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Lotion (sample size)

Hair - Organics Olive Oil Hair Polish Finishing Mist

Makeup - MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep dark, MAC Blot Powder, Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara (travel size), Clinique High Impact Mascara (travel size), The Body Shop Super volume Mascara (travel size), 

Stuff - Cuticura Passion Flower and Mango antibacterial gel (decanted into my purell 60ml pump bottle), Wet Ones anti bacterial wipes, Avene Eau de thermal spray.

See you next time lovelies.

xx

MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW45

MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation is described as a powder +foundation by the MAC website. At times when I am lazy and cannot commit to applying liquid foundation, I use this product.  I like the effect of foundation, but not the messy fingers. This is a product I would definitely recommend for my ladies with oily skin, or if you just prefer long lasting makeup. I apply this at home before going out and  pop my MAC Blot Powder in my bag to touch up.  This is a powder but it provides heavier coverage than the MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural, it does a great job of evening out my skin and keeping the oils at bay. However I do think that application affects the level of coverage.  

When I apply Studio Fix  Powder + Foundation with a sponge, the coverage is very heavy/ mask like (which is very similar to that of the Estee Lauder  Double Wear Light Foundation). This is for when I want everything to be flawless and smooth.  A sponge is included in the compact, and replacement sponges can be purchased at MAC stores/counters.

- Application with a kabuki brush, gives me a lighter coverage, which is still flawless, but not as heavy as with the sponge. 

- Application with the MAC 129 gives a light coverage, which I would describe as my skin, just better. 

There you go my lovelies, 

my roundup of the MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation.

love and light

xx

MAC Studio Finish Concealer NW45

MAC Studio Finish Concealer spf35  

Hello everyone this will be my second installment in my MAC series.  Some would say that MAC products are pricey/expensive. This concealer since it is such a small item (7g of product) with the price tag of £14.50 would feed right into that claim. However this is a product which gives VALUE for MONEY. I use  the MAC Studio Finish Concealer almost daily (mon -fri for work, and then evenings & weekends if I am going out) £14.50 for a product that lasts roughly 6 months with everyday use is a bargain in my book.  (cost per wear theory makeup edition)

This product is known as MAC's industrial strength concealer,  it claims to cover everything from tattoos to blemishes.   It definitely  gives great coverage over  blemishes (I have to blend blend blend, but it does the job VERY WELL) and is a dream on covering darkness/puffiness  under my eyes. Let us NOT forget the all important eyebrow, whenever I want to ninja my brows I use the MAC Studio Finish Concealer to line them after i have applied my brow pencil and power.

In terms of application for my under eyes I use my index finger to apply the concealer. The heat from my finger helps the product to warm up and it is easier to blend it out. I do not use a brush for this area because I would like to forgo the cakey look and have it as natural as possible. This is a very thick concealer, which makes it very easy to go left and end up looking like you are wearing a mask under your eyes. There has been many a night/day back in 2008 where I would have to remove my entire face of makeup and start gain because I used too much concealer. A little goes a LONG way with this product, keep that in mind when you purchase. 

For my brows I like to use a small concealer brush + MAC Studio Finish Concealer, to line my brows, then I use my fingers to blend the edges. This method enables me to get precision and my brows looking very neat and uniformed.  

That is my little roundup on the MAC Studfio Finish Concealer,

 hope this is helpful to you my lovelies

xxx

  

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

MAC says:  "A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day".  Mac is known for it's Mineralize Skinfinishes  such as Soft and Gentle & Gold Deposit and Comfort, these can be used as  highlighting products blushes and eyeshadows. 

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: MSF Natural powders are very popular in the beauty community. The Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is a lightweight powder which can be worn alone or over foundation. They apply very smoothly to the skin, give a natural luminous glow. When the sun hits your skin the minerals reflect and help to bring out the natural dimensions on your skin.  I usually apply using kabuki brush, since I find that this gives the most even coverage upon application.  Another good point about the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural powder is the fact that it doesn't oxidize, like many others do.  Mac offers several different shades in the range,  from very light to a medium dark.  This is definitely a must have product for me I used it every day I had classes while I was at uni and even now I carry it with me everyday to work along with my blot powder.  The MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural is a product I always recommend it to others and when my friends are stumped on gift ideas Christmas/birthday they just pick me up one of these. 

The negatives: there is no mirror in the Mineralize compact, for others this is an issue. For me not having a mirror is not an issue, my Blot powder compact/Studio fix compact/Rubie and Millie mini Brush set all contain mirrors. I also have a small stand alone mirror in my bag.

There is a bit of fallout after swirling the brush around in the product, but that happens with most powders.

 Til next time my lovelies........xx

MAC Tag

How long have you been using Mac?

Since 2008 

What was your first Mac product?

Studio Fix Powder + Foundation, Studio Finish concealer

What is your favourite MAC product?

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in dark deep (previously deep dark)

What's your least favourite Mac product?

The nail polishes

Do you own a Pro Card?

No

Your Mac foundation shade:

NW45 

Eyeshadow: 

No idea, lol 

Lipstick:

 Ruby Woo

Lipgloss:

Mac Lip GELEE in Moistly 

Liner:

MAC Navy Eyeliner 

Brush:

239, 217

Nail Lacquer:

None

Pro Product:

None

Comment on the following Mac product; Have you used them? If so, give feedback.

Prep + Prime Skin:

Never used it

Studio Sculpt Foundation:

Never used this. the reviews were not positive either.

Mineralize Satin Finish:

Never used this either.  I may try it out in the future.

Studio Fix Fluid:

Tried it wasn't impressed

Studio Tech Foundation:

Never tried it

Studio Fix Powder:

LOVE THIS! I use this powder along and it does well by me. It has a really nice smooth texture, applies to the skin lovely as long as i have cleansed toned and moisturized. If you try putting this on dirty skin it cakes up in patches.

Beauty Powder:

Never used these. 

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural:

Love this, been using it since 2010 without a break or fail.. I just hit pan and I have already purchased a backup. 

Mineralize Skin Finish:

I own two of these in the shade Comfort, I am intrigued to try Soft and Gentle as well as Gold Deposit

Bronzing Powder:

Never tried it

Powder Blush:

I own Trace Gold (recommended for use as a highlighter) and I have tried Raizin. 

Blushcreme:

No

Mineralize Blush:

Never tried it.  They certainly look pretty. I love the marbled effect going through them and that they have a shimmer too them to add highlight.

Cream Color Base:

Never tried it

Studio Sculpt Concealer:

Never tried it.

Select Cover Up Concealer:

Never tried it, but should.

Studio Finish Concealer:

I have used this  MAC concealer I use it when I want to 007 my eyebrows, sometimes on blemishes. 

Tinted Lip Conditioner:

Never used it

Lipstick:

Ruby Woo 

Lipglass:

Never tried it.

Dazzleglass:

Love Alert - a lot of money for too little product

Cremesheen Glass:

Never tried it, do not like the milky milky look on my lips. 

Lip Gelee:

Moistly is my fave, love the stuff.

 

Lip Pencil:

Cherry to go with my Ruby Woo

Nail Lacquer:

Tried one and that was enough, the formula was thick and gloopy gloopy, total waste of money

Shadestick:

Never used these.

Pigment: 

I have 4 they are great. 

Eye Kohl:

Never tried it

Fluidline:

Never tried it

Liquid Last Liner:

Never tried.

Lustre Drops:

Never tried them. 

False Lashes:

Never tried any false eyelashes

ProLash Mascara, Zoom Lash Mascara, Plush Lash Mascara, Dazzle Lash Mascara:

No

What has been your favourite Mac collection to date?

All shades, All races

Which of the MAC collections have you found disappointing?

Never been that invested, lol 

What products do you think Mac are missing?

I think a team of people get paid very handsomely for this. 

Well this was long....

Feel free to comment  below with some of your fave MAC products.

xx