Saturday 14 September 2013

Crackle Nail Polish

I picked up this Crackle Nail Polish set from Primark for £5. It comes with a silver base, pink crackle and a glossy top.
First you apply the silver base, I only applied one coat but in future I think I’ll use two or maybe even three coats.
After that has dried, apply the crackle coat. The one I bought is in a bright, fluorescent neon pink – great for parties! After applying only one coat the polish shrivels and dries up and looks cracked.
 Finally apply the top coat to give your manicure a smooth, shiny finish.
Most of you, probably already know how to get a crackle manicure as it is effortless and simple to achieve.
I like that the bottles have a large handle so that it’s easy to hold on to. But, unfortunately, the crackled effect is not for me. I don't know what it is but I just don't like it too much. Saying that, I'm up for trying it on one nail has a feature nail, what do you think? What's your opinion on crackled nail polish? 
K xo

Saturday 7 September 2013

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup Foundation

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup Foundation*

I recently went to get a sample of the Estee lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup Foundation from the beauty counter.
The lady was really nice and used her colour chart to find 3 shades that were best for me. She then tested these three shades on my cheek and told me that the best one would be the one that 'sinks into my skin', which turned out to be Desert Beige.
The sample is in a 4ml and is said to last 10 days.
I like that it 'sinks into my skin' because it feels light and weightless but at the same time gives a great coverage. Another bonus is that I haven't broken out in spots!
Overall, I would consider buying a whole bottle but not at the moment because I have other foundations to use first.

Have you tried Estee Lauder's iMatch service? What was your shade?

K xo


Saturday 24 August 2013

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10

 The Vichy Liftctiv Range aims to lift and brighten the skin and also to smooth out wrinkles. I have samples of the LiftActiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing Serum* and the LiftActiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes*.
Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Youth Enhancing Serum
For me, this serum didn't work as it didn't do it's main job. It was meant to make skin feel 'velvety smooth' but also reduce wrinkles, the latter did not happen. maybe, it's because I don't have many wrinkles in the first place (yet, haha) but, simply put, it did not have visible effects. Having said that, it did work as a great moisturiser and maybe it is preventing more dominate future wrinkles (lets hope so).
Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 Eyes & Lashes
This serum is meant to rejuvenate the look of eyes and also to fortify the lashes.
After using this I found that I didn't need to use concealer around my eyes as I looked bright eyed and awake (unlike usual, haha). I used a clear mascara instead of black mascara because I found that I looked fresher and more natural that way. I would consider buying this in the future because, for me, it does work.
 
Have you tried any products from Vichy's LiftActiv Range? What results did you get?
 
K xo

Saturday 17 August 2013

Pre-Fall Primark Haul

You may be wondering what 'pre-fall' means. It's basically when next season's essentials (in this case AW13) are in stock in shops. And when you can start preparing yourself for the winter to come, although it is still summer... So to start off with I went to Primark to grab some bargains!
Pastel Checked Dip-Hemmed Studded Shirt, £5
The first item I got was this checked shirt with a dipped hem and studs. I prefer to wear it open as a light jacket rather than a shirt buttoned up. I love the pastel colours of it and how it's combined green, pink and yellow.
Sleeveless Denim Biker Jacket, £12
 I then picked up this sleeveless denim biker jacket. I like the rough edges and rips in the jacket that give it a grunge effect.
Variety of Frilled Socks, £1.50 each
I hadn't yet invested in any frilled socks, so I thought, why not start a collection?
I got a variety of socks in different pastel shades and different styles of frills. I bought a pastel blue, pastel/bright orange, pastel pink, light grey and I also got a white and a black pair for more everyday wear.
Cream Elbow-Patched Cardigan, £7
Finally, I got this cream cardigan. It has cute little elbow patches and brown buttons going down the middle. I think this will go nicely with most outfits as it is quite versatile.
 
Have you bought any items to prepare for AW13? What have you recently bought from Primark?
 
K xo

Saturday 10 August 2013

No-Sweat Summer Body



We all want that to-die-for bikini body but some of us get it easier than others. Here's the no-sweat workout / cheat way to getting that beach body for your holiday.

The Abs
Workout: Sit on a gym ball and walk your feet out until your lower back is in contact with it. Fold your hands across your chest and exhale as you curl up. Keep your abs contracted the entire time and pause momentarily at the top of the move. Do 15 reps, have a 30 second break, then do 15 more.
Cheat Way: Use a tan optimising firming body lotion or you can carefully apply fake tan to create defined abs.

The Bum
Workout: Do targeted lunges. Picture a clock, anchor your left foot in the centre, then point your right foot to twelve, one, two, three, four, five, six, lunging at each point. Switch feet and repeat on the other side.
Cheat Way: Exfoliate you bum using a scrub or buff daily with a body brush.

The Arms
Workout: Get into the superman pose by laying on your belly and extend your arms out to the sides with bent elbows. Raise your torso up, till you feel the muscles in your back engage. Lift and lower eight times.
Cheat Way: Apply a satin body enhancer after moisturising or combine a tan with a shimmer. 
The Legs
Workout: Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding 5-10 lbs weights. First, squat into a seated position, then return to standing, before lunging to the right. Hold for a few seconds, then transfer your weight to your heels and push back to return to standing. Repeat 10 times on each side.
Cheat Way: Use an Anti-Ageing Moisturiser or apply a highlighter along the shin and buff bronzer down either side to give the illusion of a slimmer, longer leg.
The Back
Workout: Firstly, stand on your right leg with your left foot just off the ground while holding a 5lb weight in your right hand. bend at the waist, leaning down to place your left hand on the ball. Keep your chest above your hips, then pull your right elbow up towards the ceiling. Perform 15 reps on each side.
Cheat Way: Apply fake tan to your back or add a light shimmer to your skin, especially your shoulders.

What bikinis or swimsuits are you planning on wearing? Where are you going on holiday?

K xo

Saturday 3 August 2013

Benefit Cosmetics Benefayre

Last weekend I went to the 'Benefayre' which was an event held by Benefit Cosmetics with all money raised going to the Refuge Charity. Refuge provide accommodation and services to women and children fleeing domestic violence.
So last Saturday I made the half an hour trek to the Bull Ring in Birmingham to see what was going on. I am so happy I did!
It was basically themed around a fairground with fairground themed games (which were actually possible to win). Each game cost one token and each token cost one pound (which 100% of went to Refuge).
Hook A Duck
POREfessional Shoot Down the Lemons
There were two other game stalls but, unfortunately, I didn't get photos of them. There was the Hoopla where you had to throw the hoops onto the big They're Real! mascara wands and there was also the Tin Can Alley where you had to knock over bottles of the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation.
Winning the games meant you won prizes of samples of the products related to that stall. I managed to win every game!

My Hook A Duck Prizes
From the Hook A Duck stall I managed to win a Triple Performing Facial Moisturiser, Benetint Lip & Cheek Stain, Chachatint Lip & Cheek Stain, nail file, notepad and a POREfessional comic with a sample of POREfessional inside.
My Shoot Down the Lemons prize
At the next stall I won a sample of POREfessional for shooting down three lemons.
My Hoopla Prize
I was so happy to win the They're Real! mascara because I absolutely love it! I've had it before and I totally adore it.
My Tin Can Alley Prize
For knocking down the bottles of foundation I won a Bad Gal Lash mascara and a Stay Flawless primer.
Apart from the game stalls there was also a makeup counter, face paint counter, photobooth and a candyfloss machine.
 The Makeup Counter and Face Paint Counter
I decided to have a photo taken with my mum to mark the occasion because it was a day out that we both enjoyed.
The Benefayre is travelling round the UK so if it's near you, be sure to go and have a look!

Do you enjoy Benefit Cosmetics? Have you been to see the Benefayre?
 
K xo

Saturday 27 July 2013

YSL Forever Light Creator Serum

YSL Forever Light Creator Sample
When snooping round the counters I saw that the lady at the YSL counter was giving people free samples, so I asked for one too! It is the Yves Saint Laurent Forever Light Creator Serum. Basically it is a skintone corrector serum. It helps correct the appearance of uneven skintone. Afterwards skin is left more luminous and radiant. Colour imperfections look visibly reduced and skintone recovers its clarity and evenness.
That's what I found out it has been designed to do.
The lady told me that one sample has enough liquid inside to last for three days.
So three days have past and what do I think?
I think that if I was to buy the whole bottle I would see more of a difference in my skin but I can't afford to spend £77 for 30ml. I used to get redness around my nose that I would have to cover up with concealer but, so far, since using this serum I haven't had to cover up the blemishes around my nose because there aren't any!
Are you lucky enough to buy a full bottle? What benefits did you get?

K xo

Saturday 20 July 2013

ELLE UK August 2013

Subscribers Cover, August 2013, The New Season Starring Pixie
The August issue is all about the 'pre-fall'. That basically is next season clothes that are available to buy now. Next season there are 7 main trends: The Romantic, The Rebel, The Boy-Girl, The Saint, The Lady, The Careerist and The Maximalist.
Where has the Style for Less feature gone? Instead there's a Day To Night feature:
I love how she just drapes the coat off of her shoulders to give a laid-back yet feminine touch to it.
Simply by tucking in the top gives the skirt a new silhouette!

























The polo neck can be drastically changed just by the length of a skirt.
To keep your skin in tip-top condition you need to follow these directions:
Morning: Apply cleanser, apply day cream, add a non-pore blocking SPF, take skin supplements.
Evening: Wash off make-up with cleanser, pat skin dry with towel, apply serum to face, apply night cream.
Once/Twice Weekly: Use exfoliator, apply a face mask.

Do you read ELLE? Which parts do you enjoy reading?

K xo

Saturday 13 July 2013

Rodial Glamtox Kit

Rodial Skin Care On The Go Glamtox Kit
I recently renewed my subscription to ELLE magazine and with it came this gift! It is the Rodial Glamtox Kit worth £35.
From Left to Right: Glamtox Cleansing Balm, Glamtox Day, Glamtox Night, Glam Balm Lip and Glamoxy Snake Serum
Inside there are 5 little bottles that are perfect for travelling.
Glamtox Cleansing Balm
The Glamtox Cleansing Balm is packed with skin brightening amino acids to melt away make-up and gently cleanse the skin.
Glamtox Day and Glamtox Night
The Glamtox Day is a moisturiser that smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Glamtox Night is 'an advanced retinal formula that transforms your skin overnight'.
Glam Balm Lip and Glamoxy Snake Serum
The Glam Balm Lip is probably the only product that I'll be using at the moment as I don't have wrinkles yet! It is intensive and hydrating. The Glamoxy Snake Serum intrigues me, it reduces the appearance of frown lines and wrinkles.


I think I will give these a go because I've heard good things about Rodial. This kit is worth £35 so surely it must be good?
Have you tried Rodial products before?

K xo

Sunday 7 July 2013

Godiva Festival 2013

Back: Flower Garland from Baby Ceylon and Vintage Oxblood Clutch Front: Sunglasses
 



Godiva Festival is a free festival that is based in the War Memorial Park, Coventry. This year there were performances from Mallroy Knox, The Loveable Rogues and Amelia Lily. Of course, I listened to a bit of the music but when there's a 'Vintage Market' tent around you can't miss it!
Sunglasses, £4
I've been looking around for a while for a pair of sunglasses for the summer. I had nearly decided on a pair from Topshop for £16 but when you see an almost identical pair for £4 you can't refuse!
Flower Garland, £4
I was going to buy a flower garland at last year's festival but at the last moment said no. I was not going to say no again so ended up with this tied in my hair for the rest of the day. I think that it'll also look nice when put round the rim of my hat.
Vintage Oxblood Clutch, £5, Boots 17 Vintage Nail Polish
I've been needing a clutch for while for when I'm out at parties. I, previous to this, had looked online for a clutch and all the good ones were at least £15! Therefore this clutch had to come home with me too. As it is vintage it had a few marks on it but I think that they can easily be washed off.
I love that it resembles a purse but on a larger scale!
Are you going to any festivals this summer? Have you already been to any festivals this summer?

K xo