30 day blogger challenge: Why I started blogging.

First of all sorry I haven’t been around all weekend! 

I have been furthering my education so to speak. Hopefully what I have learned will also benefit you guys in the near future. But I don’t want to spoil the fun 😏 

So, why I started blogging. I briefly explained this in my first ever post, see it Here but ill go a little more into detail. 

  

Me in ‘velvet teddy’  🙂 

I’ve always loved make up, what girl  doesn’t? But in the past year (don’t ask where I’ve been) I properly discovered M.A.C cosmetics. I blame whoever thought it a good idea to put one 10 minutes from my house! But anyway, there I was minding my own business shopping on a Saturday then BOOM! There it was right in front of me, the black sign with those three white letters. I was like a moth to a flame, I tried to fight it but next thing you know I’m in the queue with my vanilla pigment & velvet teddy lipstick in hand talking to the counter girls about the next new product launches. 

As you can guess it spiralled from there and into other brands, and my obsession for palettes began. Then foundations, then primers, then eyeliners. You catch my drift? 

So a few months and a few thousand pounds later my sister in law asks me why don’t I start a blog? I have the make up collection, the make up & brand knowledge so what was stopping me? 

It made sense. I’m honest, very opinionated (you’ll often find me on the loose women Facebook page upsetting people with it) I don’t fall for the hype, I seek out and buy the latest make up & beauty items, and I love talking about them. So here I am! You lucky lot! 

Although I’m on a spending ban this month, I thought the 30 day challenge would  help me write about a few different things and my readers will get to know me a bit more and have a better idea of what’s yet to come.  

What has kept me blogging and not giving up after the first 2 posts? You guys! Each and every like or follower makes me happy. If I’m a saddo then so be it. I think it’s amazing people out there actually care what I’m writing about and genuinely want to see things written by little old me. Hopefully My babbling can keep you all entertained for a few months yet (at least) 😉

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday! 

Sam 🙂 x

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30 day blogger challenge: Bold lips

  
Hi, Hope you are all enjoying the lovey weather On this sunny Sunday afternoon! 

Today’s post as you probably guessed by the title is bold lips. 

I very rarely wear lipstick but when I do it’s far from bold! I’m a nude lips kinda gal. (Mac blush teddy is my all time fave!) So it’s very rare to see me with any kind of colour on my lips. 

However I recently attended an Urban Decay make up masterclass and received a sample (hence the size) of their Revolution lipgloss in ‘Scandal’ so I thought I’d give it a try. Check it out Here 

  
Even for a sample they didn’t scrimp on the packaging and the full size is just as pretty.  It’s a gorgeous fuchsia pink and the pigmentation is fantastic, it doesn’t have that horrible sticky feeling and it wears off well. It left a subtle wash of pink after 2 hours of wear and I didn’t feel the need to have to reapply. I’m definitely impressed.

 
It may not be enough to sway me to wear more bright colours, but I’m definitely putting this gloss on my wish list for when the spending ban is over but in a more wearable everyday shade.  

 Have you tried the lip revolution range? Let me know what you thought. 

This weeks mani!   

Gelish in ‘sweet thang’ matted with gold filigrees over the top. Find them Here they are a great way to transform your regular manicure in seconds! 

Keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow’s post on ‘my favourite eyeliners’ 

See you there 🙂 

Sam x

30 day blogger challenge: My favourite mascara

I’ve bored you all with long posts all week so today’s is going to be short & sweet. 

My favourite mascaras. 

I don’t have 1 particular favourite, I tend to switch between 3. 

Too faced: Better than sex mascara £19.00 debenhams.com    
I don’t know why they’d call a mascara that because it’s definitely not true. I mean, yeah I get excited about make up but seriously? Nope 

The brush is brilliant, it picks up every single lash and makes my lashes look huge. But! And it’s a big but, the fallout is ridiculous. And it Makes me look like a panda by lunchtime. And you need to constantly wipe the brush on a tissue as there’s so much product build up. If they made a waterproof version of this it would be fantastic and be the only mascara I’d ever use as I haven’t found anything better which is why I’ve put it on my favourites list. Can’t have it all eh? 

Have you used this? How did you get on with it? I’d like to know if it’s just me that has this problem.

Max factor: False lash effect mascara £10.99 Boots.com

   

   
Another of my favourites false lash effect & false Lash effect waterproof. Obviously they are both the same mascara but one is waterproof (proof is in the name 😉 the original is great for every day use and makes my lashes look long and thick without crumbling off half way through the day. 

The waterproof is perfect for swimming, holidays,  sporting activities, gym etc the stuff literally doesn’t budge. I can’t fault it. But you will need a waterproof eye make up remover or you’ll never get it off! 

What’s your favourite mascara? Let me know in the comments.

See you tomorrow 🙂 

Sam x

 

August empties/ favourites

Here’s my first empties post!

In my entire life I don’t think I’ve ever used up an entire product before getting bored half way through and buying something different. But I’m on a spending ban enforced by myself in an attempt to try and use up the products I already own. (I did start last week but an unexpected trip to Tk Maxx set me back)

My first is:

Mac prep & prime fix+ (£17)

It’s quickly become one of my ‘can’t live without’ products. I now use it literally every single day. It had been in my kit for a while and I just assumed it was a setting spray hence the name ‘fix’ BUT I did some googling and discovered some uses that make up artists swear by. And they’ve changed my life! Okay maybe not my life exactly but my usual make up routine. Heres how I use fix+ :

Spritz some onto your face before or after your chosen moisturiser for an extra moisture boost (or both if your skins really suffering)

Spritz onto your foundation brush to help your foundation glide on more smoothly  

Spritz onto the face after applying foundation and concealer & allow to dry before applying powder to keep your make up in place longer

Spray onto your eyeshadow brush before applying your chosen eyeshadow to really make the colour ‘pop’ and intensify the colour

Use it to thin cream or compact foundation for a more sheer coverage (decant product, never spray into the compact)

I’ll definitely be repurchasing, it’s been a godsend for my usually dry skin. I would certainly recommend trying it if you haven’t already.

Have you tried any of the above tips or have any of your own to add?

Urban decay: Naked skin foundation in shade 2.0 (£27)

I allowed the consultant at the UD counter to match me up for this foundation. Which I should have known would be a mistake as no make up counter assistant ever selects the right shade for me wherever I go (#annoying ) however, it was okay to use on nights out as I go a little darker for evening make up.

So! Coverage was okay, I normally like something a little thicker so the liquid consistency took a little getting used to but it’s buildable which was good for me. I apply it with the real techniques buffing brush, allow to dry for a few minutes then use a beauty blender to add extra coverage where needed. And voila! ‘Naked’ skin that looks flawless and even, without the cakey look that some other foundations can give when they lie and say their product is buildable 😬

I will purchase this again after the spending ban 😉 but a lighter shade that will suit my pale complexion.

Stila stay all day 10 in 1 beauty balm (HD illuminating beauty balm spf 30 £26 duty free)

I purchased this on my flight to Cuba a few months ago. I used it whilst on holiday and it gave a lovely glow with a subtle hint of colour. I don’t usually leave the house without make up at home but this gave me the confidence to go foundation free so that’s definitely something that impressed me.

However now I’m home and tan-less I can no longer wear it alone & team it with my normal foundation on those days where your skin needs a little pick me up.

It would be lovely for a make up artists kit as it’s perfect under foundation for a nice dewy, slightly illuminated effect (similar to Mac strobe cream)

Will I repurchase? If I can find it again yes! I haven’t seen it anywhere since 😦 So if anyone knows where I can pick one up please let me know! As id definitely like to add it to my holiday make up bag.

Embryolisse lait-creme concentré 30ml (£13 boots.com)

What can I say, it’s amazing stuff, it instantly smooths my normally dry slightly flakey skin, and creates a smooth canvas for me to apply my make up. It also doubles as a primer (and has many other uses such as cleanser, make up remover, repairing mask, after shave cream, baby care product) My make up stays put all day without looking dry and it works great on my make up clients too as it stops shine on oiler/combination skins so it’s a win-win situation. Although the packaging was a bit pants as its a metal tube, so even when you squeeze a little out it still floods the cap.

Have you tried it? Let me know why you thought in the comments

I have already repurchased the larger-gold limited edition tube from boots.com £20 (pre spending ban!) the tube has been updated on the larger tube so no mess with that one.

George under eye concealer (Asda £4.50)

This baby Rivals the YSL touché éclat for me. NO LIE! And at £4.50 it’s a total bargain. There’s no reason for you not to try it. I use it after my correcting concealer to brighten my eye area and it can also be used for highlighting. A little really does go a long way and it does exactly what it says on the tube. I can’t remember what made me buy it as id never normally pick up a supermarket own brand (make up snobbery I know, I’m not proud of it) but I’m so glad I did. I can honestly say I love this product and I can see this being one of my make up bag staples.

September 30 day challenge.

In an attempt to blog more regularly I’ve created my own little September 30 day challenge. The posts will be short and sweet but I hope you guys will be able to get to know me a little better.

So if there’s anything you’d like to know or see here leave a comment for me 🙂

Sam x

Kate moss for Rimmel lasting finish nudes collection

It’s the eve of my 30th birthday and I’m feeling a little depressed. So what better way to cheer myself up than with an unplanned purchase! YAY! (That’s what I call them so I don’t feel so bad. It’s not like I went in search of an item, it just well, happened you know? )

I’d heard about the Kate Moss for Rimmel London lasting finish nude collection but not really being a lipstick fan myself didn’t think much of it. 

Until I saw them…..

  
Aren’t they pretty? Even if I don’t use them they’ll look pretty in my make up kit.  

 First impressions, the lightest shade (40) looks like a concealer. It’s that pale! And I’ll probably save 48 for Halloween seeing as I already look like a ghost or ‘pale & interesting’ as some like to describe the Casper like shade of my skin. 

However for me shades 42, 43 & 45 look promising. 

   
 
L-R 40, 42, 43, 45, 48

Application: They glide on easily enough and the coverage is quite sheer from what I expected it to be but they are buildable. 

They felt a little dry after a short while (if you suffer with dry lips these probably aren’t for you) but the colour stayed put for around 2-3 hours.  So I’d definitely recommend throwing one in your bag for touch ups throughout the day especially for a night out.  

If you can only buy one I’d say 45 will be perfect for most skins. But they are nice to layer if you do decide to purchase more than one. 43 over 45 is lovely!  Have you tried them? What did you think? Let me know in the comments 

 
Me in shade 45 – excuse the dressing gown I was running late for work 😉 

For £5.49 I think they are a bargain. And buy one get one half price in Superdrug at the moment (for a limited time) plus a free make up bag when you spend over £15, so if you want the set your winning in life! Get them here: http://www.superdrug.com/Rimmel-dare-to-bare%3F/c/rimmel-dare-to-bare?q=%3Aname-asc%3Acategory%3Apt_make_up_lipstick&text=&minSel=4.0&maxSel=7.0&minSlider=4.0&maxSlider=7.0&resultsForPage=20&categorypt_make_up_lipstick=on

I’ll work out how to put those words that link you to the products eventually I promise! 

Just a quickie, I thought some of you might like to see which manicure I’m sporting with each post? If so let me know and leave a comment. 

So here’s my birthday mani to start it off:

 
My urban decay smoky palette is winging its way to me as I type! So as soon as it arrives I’ll have a little play & a swatch and get the next post up ASAP! 

Happy Saturday people! x 

Being ‘perfectly polished’

I’m throwing myself in at the deep end and going with the flow so to speak so This particular post might not make much sense but stay with me. Good things come to those who wait & all that jazz. 
I had a thought, an epiphany some might say. That seeing as I spend half my life on social media watching make up tutorials and the other half in M.A.C that I should try and do something with it.Which brings me here.
I’m not going to sit here & pretend that I’m a really interesting person. (Far from it)

Moi, yes I’m pants at selfies!

But I do buy some pretty good stuff! Well sometimes.
I have an old skool laptop, an iphone 6 and an obsession with make up & nails. So lets see how far we get as I’m not quite sure where/how/why/what im doing with this at present or how to work it. I don’t have a clue what tags are! But I’m hoping things will fall into place. (When all else fails wing it right?)

So, to begin my blogging journey here’s a ’10 things about me’ section so you can get to know me a little before I bore the hell out of you on a weekly basis
1. I’m from Essex! Make of that what you will. Yes I’m probably a bit stupid, with an annoying cockney accent & huge make up obsession- minus the orange tan, fake boobs & big bouncy blow dry. (only because I can’t afford them)

2. I’m a Nail technician, beauty therapist & aspiring make up artist. Although you wouldn’t think it to look at me. No I wasn’t born with it,and yes it is Maybelline.

3. I have a 10 year old daughter.And I have no idea how I’ve managed to keep another person other than myself alive for that long either.

4. The amount I’ve spent this year on make up I could probably put a deposit on another house. (I wont tell if you wont)

5. I’m turning 30 next month. Lets say no more on that

6. I have an obsessively clean, tidy husband who I drive crazy with my make up & nail varnish collections. Basically he’s going bald and I think I’m the reason

7. I’m scared of little flying bugs- Flies, moths, butterflies, flying ants, wasps. I flap around like an idiot if one even breathes on me. Moths always go for the throat! Why is that?

8. The taste of cucumber makes me gag, don’t ask why. I don’t know why I felt it relevant to tell you either but I needed a number 8

9. I need a pair of Louboutins to complete my life. Can’t take over the world in Primarni flip flops can I?

10. Hmmm, one of the most embarrassing moments of my life so far? Falling down a flight of stairs at a posh wedding of people I hardly knew. Landing at the bottom, arse up, dress around my waist, g-string on full view and no vodka in my system to blame it on. Not one of my finest moments I must admit.

So that’s a little bit of me to get us started.

I have some swatches coming up very soon of All that jazz cocktails collection nail lacquer. AND the new Urban decay smoky palette shall be in my possession very soon, For which I cannot contain my excitement!

Be there or be square! Xx