Superdrug haul!

Hi di hi! 

As it's coming up to Christmas I wasn't expecting to be using the word haul around here at least until the end of the month, but Christmas means cold weather and cold weather means dry skin, dry skin means sadness and that's just not allowed at Christmas time, it's the law right?

Oh the guilty conscious, you would think I had just dropped a fortune in Chanel...

...unfortunately not, but I did pick up some nice bits and pieces.

-Superdrug Brightening hot cloth cleanser 150ml

I started using this when my last Liz Earle cleanse and polish ran out, I really like the whole cleanse and polish method when it comes to cleansing my skin and I can't say that I noticed a great deal of difference between the two in terms of what they do for the appearence of my skin, I actually prefer the smell (and price) of this one so I shall continue to repurchase it.

-Garnier Micellar cleansing water 400ml

I got so excited when I saw this! A new contender to be a drugstore bioderma dupe! I've never actually tried bioderma but the whole cleansing water concept has always held my curiosity so I shall keep you posted as soon as I have given this a try.

-Garnier moisture match
24hr hydrating moisturiser-Dry to very dry skin 50ml

I wrote a full review on this earlier in the year (here) I love it, my skin loves it, and although it is always reasonably priced it was on offer for a teeny £2.98 today so my purse now loves it too!

Also I was in the market for a new mascara....dry,clumpy lashes actually make reindeer cry, and don't let me get started on what happens to them when you pass up a 3 for 2....(Oh for goodness sake what is my life??)

-Rimmel Glam eyes Day 2 night mascara

 Nothing new here, I remember there being a massive hype around this when it first came out either last year or the year before, I can't keep up, I didn't actually give it a go back then and wasn't really planning to pick it up but then I spotted the 2 nail polishes and grabbed it to make up the 3 for 2...

-Rimmel Salon Pro Kate Moss 711 'Punk rock'

Around 2 years ago I was obsessed with a NARS nail polish 'Galion' was it's name, I speak in the past tense, it is still available but as much as I have ogled it on line and stroked it in Space NK that one time, my nails are pretty rubbish so I have never justified forking out £14 for it and always had my eye out for a dupe, this my friends is the dupe! A dark 'stormy' grey with an undertone of purple, this picture does it no justice it is actually the polish dreams are made of  (well my very strange dreams anyway ;)) 

-Rimmel Finishing touch glitter top coat

Who can resist glittery nails in December? This is one of the 3 new topcoats from Rimmel a clear base laden with fine Gold and multicolour glitter I swatched this sneakily in the shop, (naughty and not advised especially in certain branches of Superdrug where you will be made to feel like a reprobate for doing so!) and it has to be the most perfect sparkly yet subtle finish for festive fingertips!!

So that's it no more spending for me, the word haul is now banished from this blog until Santa has been and gone, but do let me know if you are guilty of buying yourself pre-Christmas treats (It will make me feel lots better!)

xxx

Review: NARS Sheer glow foundation revisited

To be honest it's rare that any beauty product comes along that I can hand on heart say, for want of a better saying "rocks my socks." With every new cosmetic product release, while deep down I'm still always full of hope I have found myself becoming increasingly cynical due entirely to many past experiences of product let downs and in my 28 years (most of which being beauty obsessed) I have little more than a handful of products that make the holy grail list, this little bottle of magic (dramatic moi?) being at the very top!! 

NARS Sheer glow foundation

I did a post on this after first purchasing it a couple of years ago and if I remember rightly I declared it holy grail upon first use. I don't want to waffle on all essay style on yo asses, so I thought it best to break down the reasons why sheer glow has remained top of my cosmetic dream team...

Coverage/application

A perfect medium coverage which can be built up to achieve a medium/full coverage. Application wise this works into skin best using fingertips or a damp beauty blender sponge which will give you the sheerest result.Another thing to point out is that if you have slightly dry skin then this works best applied straight after moisturiser for extra "Give" to blend into skin perfectly.

Finish

In a word...flawless! Although the name sheer glow still baffles me a little bit as it is hardly sheer nor does it give the dewy finish you might expect it is much more of a satin finish, however if you are after immaculate doll like skin from your foundation this is the one for you

Suitable for

I would recommend this for most skin types however those with very dry skin and mature skin should definitely steer clear as this will cling on, cake on any dry areas and look very heavy and unnatural on a mature skin, I will avoid using it if I am having a dry skin week.

Staying power

Sheer glow is in it for the long haul, even though as I have a normal/dry skin type I don't tend to use a primer or powder this gives me a full 8 hours of wear before any touching up is needed.

Shade range

20 shades from pale to dark skin and varying undertones. I originally purchased Deauville which is light with a neautral balance of Pink and Yellow undertones which towards the end of the bottle I found too pale for me and have purchased Fiji which is a light shade with a yellow undertone and perfect for my (NC25) skintone. 

Price

A bit of a "type your pin number in whilst looking away" £30.50 for 30ml, however a little goes a long way, I wear this most days, always for a night out (as it photographs well) and a bottle of this lasts me around 4 months. 

Availability

Available at NARS counters and various on line stores (ASOS, John Lewis, Selfridges etc.)

And that's it, no bad news here folks I could be picky and point out that Mr. Nars could have chucked in a plastic pump to make up for the price tag but I won't instead I must bow down and kiss his feet for creating this foundation! 

    Go and buy it and then come back and thank me in the comments when you do hehe ;) 

xxx

Blog sale!

What originally started out yesterday as me having a small eBay clear out/trying to save money for Xmas and I want to buy my boyfriend a puppy...Not! I know he reads this so that was just for my own childish entertainment hehe, anywaaay I found masses of barely used make-up that could do with a new home and so I decided a blog sale was in order...

Rules of sale are...

-Open to UK only 

- Postage and packing is included in the price 

- Please pay within 24 hours of me sending you the invoice, or it will go to the next in line.

- Payment through paypal only!
-All products will arrive completely sanitised

- Any problems just send me an email (pixielashes0@gmail.com) or tweet me @pixie_lashes :) 

Please comment below with the description of what you would like,and your paypal address!

NARS Sheer matte foundation shade santa fe (used twice) £11.00
Stila Correct and perfect foundation shade medium (usage shown) £7.00

RMK blush shade 06 rose (used once there is a tiny nail mark in the bottom left of pan) £5.00

MAC creme blush in Britwit (usage shown)  £6.00 sold

Benefit Bella bamba blush (used around 4/5 times) the box is a little scuffed £9.00

Sleek blush in Flamingo (left)  sold and Pan Tao (right) usage shown 

£2.00 each

NYX 78 Colour palette hardly used £10.50

Chanel Ombres de perlees palette usage shown colours have been foiled

£10.00 sold

MUA Heaven and Earth palette never used still sealed

£2.50 sold

MAC Deep truth eye shadow usage as shown

£5.00

MAC Pigments

Dark soul (left) around 75% full £6

Cornflower (right) around 50% full £4

benefit single eye shadows 

low profile (left) £3sold

moody (right) £3 sold

NARS Egea eye shadow duo usage as shown

£12 sold

Urban Decay 24/7 glide on liner in zero £5

benefit magic ink liquid liner (swatched once) £5 sold

NARS Velvet matte lip pencil in Bolero 

£9

Top to bottom

NARS lipgloss in belize £8

NARS lipgloss in scandal £8

both have only been used a few times

Rouge bunny rouge Dazzling sip shimmering luxe balm in pinch of nude

used twice

£7 sold

Jemma Kidd lipstick in 06 retro used once

£5

MAC Lip liners

Top-spice

Bottom-Brick  sold

both barely used 

£6 each

OPI Polishes full sized

L-R

Dulce de leche (used once) £6

Not like the movies (used twice) £5 sold

Bring on the bling (90% full) £6 sold

L-R

China glaze meteor shower used twice £6 sold

essie mint candy apple 90% full £5

Chanel Black pearl (with box) used twice £9 sold

Phew, I didn't really think I had this much stuff going unloved in my drawers, that felt quite theraputic! Oh and as I was initially only intending to sell a few things there are some NARS, Urban decay and Laura Mercier products over on my eBay aswell (link!)

xxx

Blush crush #4

Afternoon pretty ladies!
My latest blush crush is Coralista from benefit, which I received as part payment for helping to promote the new benefit mascara in Boots a few weeks back now, I did a video on that over on my You Tube channel so if you are interested in what other goodies I got and what went on, here is the link to it (Video)

At first glance I thought that Coralista was too similar to NARS deep throat blush, which I already own and love to bits (blush crush #1) and wouldn't really be worth getting. However luckily I had Lisa with me who loves it and convinced me that I did in fact need it in my life.

Coralista is a stunning pale coral/pink with a subtle gold sheen, the way I think best describes it is, If NARS Deep throat and NARS Orgasm had a baby, then this would be it, although the gold sheen in Coralista is a lot less obnoxious which makes it more universally wearable than NARS Orgasm.

Besides the colour, what I really love about Coralista is how incredibly finely milled, pigmented, and soft in texture it is, which makes it apply like an absolute dream, so can be worn as a subtle wash of colour or can be very easily built up to get a much more intense colour payoff. I also love how you get a massive 12g of product, which means I wont be having to splash out £23.50 for another one any time soon, happy days.

Top Coralista swatched lightly,
Bottom swatch built up heavily.

Do you own this blush, or any other benefit boxed blushers

What do you think of them?

Ooh just a quick p.s, I was so chuffed to guest blog over at the lovely Kat's blog yesterday while she is on holiday. It's just another EOTD using the Sleek Oh so special palette but in case you wanted to see here's the link (Clickandmakeup) :)

xxx

ASOS Goodies! First impressions and swatches.

Evening lovelies :) 

I was kindly asked by the PR at ASOS if I would like some products to use in tutorials etc and of course accepted! So for the first time in what feels like forever, the postman actually knocked on my door this morning, I greeted him somewhat bedraggled and with last night's black eye liner smooshed around my face (this is a regular occurrence since I ran out of LE cleanse and polish!) and restraining myself from screeching in his face, took my little brown box of joy and tore into it faster than Charlie and Grandpa Joe with a Wonka bar!! (honestly, the lack of shopping just lately has sent me wappy!)

Inside the box was a Jemma Kidd Classic couture lip colour, Stila Perfect and correct foundation, and a NARS velvet matte lip pencil.eeeeeeeek!!
(please excuse the dodgy photo,the sun was so bright today!)

Stila Perfect & correct foundation
(Link)

You might already be aware that I am always looking for the next best thing when it comes to foundation, so when I opened this one and saw the unusual, funky helter-skelter style way that the foundation is presented in the transparent bottle I had to let out a bit of a squeal! There are a number of claims on the side of the box that made me extra excited to use this, like how it helps to control oil while still keeping skin hydrated, and is swirled with an advanced moisturising primer, something I have never seen before! Also this foundation does not contain an SPF so I am really looking forward to seeing how well it photographs.

There are 6 colours to choose from, my shade is medium, from swatching it I think the colour is too dark for my natural (NC20-25) skin tone but with some self tan I should think it will be just fine, also when blended it appeared a touch lighter. I will keep you posted on this one.

Jemma Kidd Classic couture lip colour
(Link)

This is the first Jemma Kidd product I have ever owned, I have to say, loving the packaging, bright pink box and a sleek black tube with hot pink print makes a (sad) package hoarder like me v.happy! The colour I received is 06 retro a deep warm brown shade, and not something that I would ever pick for myself, but it will come in handy I'm sure when creating Autumn make-up looks.The lipstick itself is highly pigmented, gives a gorgeous glossy finish (oh and it smells amazeee!)

NARS Velvet matte lip pencil (Bolero)
(Link)

To be honest anything that comes in a NARS box excites me! This bright almost neon peachy pink is gorgeous! I was going to pop up a lip swatch for this but my lips are so dry at the moment, that I know I will have to get the blistex and an old toothbrush on them before it's worth even attempting to wear anything matte.This was released as a limited edition colour for Summer but I just checked and you can still get it at asos.I can see me using this alot, so expect to see it on my face soon ;)  

xxx

A Steamy EOTD

Evening honey's,

This EOTD came about from a funny mish mash of inspiration from fellow bloggers. Last night I read Muhsine's latest blogpost in which she created a beautiful eye make-up using Humid e/s from MAC, this morning I 'shopped my stash' after reading Fee's latest post in which she had been inspired to do the same by Laura and found that I actually had humid and had for some strange reason pushed it to the back of my eye shadow drawer, in a MAC palette of the shadows I don't really use...lost yet? It continues! This afternoon I had a little twitter convo with Yu about Humid and Steamy (my favourite ever green e/s from MAC) and decided an EOTD using both would be a good idea, so here is what I came up with.

I used to wear Green's so much more and really have gotten myself into a neutral eye shadow rut lately (I blame Urban Decay!:)), which is a big shame as Green's really compliment brown eyes. I think this is going to be the look I go for on my next night out with some false lashes for some added ooomph!

Products used

NARS EGEA E/S DUO (JUST THE GREEN)

MAC STEAMY E/S

MAC HUMID E/S

URBAN DECAY 24/7 GLIDE ON EYE PENCIL (ZERO)

When I originally bought the NARS EGEA duo, I thought that I had royally wasted my money, however this was another product I found today when 'shopping my stash' and I fell a little bit in love with it (fickle,me?) It worked so peferctly for this look used all over the lid as a base, and as a brow bone and tear duct highlight.

 I hope you guy's like the look :) let me know what you think, ooh and also let me know what are your favourite Green eyeshadows! Im just off to try and catch up with the last half of the #bbloggers chat on Twitter, might see some of you there xxx

April Favourites x

I thought April had 31 days...is the song not 30 days have September, August, June and November?? Obviously not! hmmpfff!
Anyway enough of my terrible knowledge of the days of the month and on to the good stuff, the products that have made me feel good in April!

Eyeshadows

The 4 E/S that I have used the most throughout April have all been by MAC, they are...Naked lunch, Woodwinked, Shale and Painterly (paint pot) as a base. Woodwinked is a staple favourite, I have loved wearing it over painterly for a summery bronzed look. I have also worn Naked lunch alot, either on its own with a couple of coats of mascara when I don't have much time, with a flick of black liner or as a base with Shale as a simple daytime smokey.

TOP-Painterly PP
L-R Naked lunch, Shale, Woodwinked

L-R Painterly PP, Woodwinked, Shale, Naked lunch

Lipstick
Im surprised to say that out of the new lipsticks I purchased earlier in the month, the one I have reached for the most is Angel from MAC,I have used it almost daily. The reason Im surprised is that it is a frost finish (probably one of my least favourite lipstick finishes) but it doesn't seem to have that finish on me, it's actually a lovely creamy pink that really suits my skintone.

Nail polish

This is another one that surprised me, I don't know why as it is loved by so many, I suppose i've never really been a pink nail girl! It's Barry M Pink flamingo..Its such a bright (neon in certain lights) Pink which I cant stop looking at when I have it on! I even re-did my nails with it when it began showing tip wear, and ended up wearing it for 10 days straight which is something I don't normally do as I get bored quickly.

Blush
Without a doubt April's most used blush has been NARS Deep throat, I haven't even looked at another blush all month, see why here.

Hair 
I gave up the straighteners a few months ago, favouring either a tonged curl or a loose messy wave, but for the past few weeks I have really been enjoying straightening my hair again with GHD's. I have been finding that I love the sleek look and the fact that my hair doesn't tangle as easy as when it's curled. My Boyfriend really loves the messy look, but its not him that has to drag a brush through a mass of bushy knots at the end of the day is it?

And the prize for owning the oldest,most knackered pair of GHD's in history goes to........

Boring Bits and Bobs 
Imperial leather foamburst shower and shave is a godsend, Im surprised that there don't seem to be very many products on the market that do the same multitasking job that this does.
Now that summer is approaching and the weather is warm enough to wear open toed shoes, pretty feet are a must, so I have spent alot of time on mine and used my Ped-egg to get rid of any unsightly rough skin.

I hope you enjoyed my favourites, What have you been loving in April?

Blush crush #1.

This post is totally inspired by my new Blush crush which is the much loved in the beauty community 'Deep throat' by Nars. I wasn't really intending on purchasing this as I had just picked up 'Pink swoon' from Mac literally 20 minutes earlier, but curiosity got the better of me at the Nars stand and I couldn't help but swatch  'Deep throat' and 'Orgasm' to see what all the fuss was about. In my opinion both are 100% worth the hype and I struggled to decide on which one to purchase. The reason I went for 'Deep throat' out of the two was that I felt that it was the one that I would get the most daily use out of, as it is a little more subtle than Orgasm (which I still really want to get!) 

The Nars website describe deep throat as peach with shimmer, I find it looks pinky peach on my skin and gives it that lovely, lit from within look. The shimmer in this blush comes through so subtly and despite there being a small amount of very fine glitter visible in the pan it doesn't transfer onto skin which I think is a big plus! 

The pigmentation is fantastic as I believe the case is with all Nars blushers, I've found that a slight hand works best or it will make you look like a crazed cabbage patch kid! Another thing that makes me love this is that it's so durable, I have put it on in the morning's, cleaned the house, walked the dogs and things like that and it's still in place 6 hours later!

without flash

with flash

Oh I do love Nars for putting mirrors in their lids!

This blush totally deserves it's cult status for me and is worth every penny of the £20.50 it costs. Is anyone else a deep throat lover? (eww pun not intended "))