MAC 15 Palette

 I thought I'd post about this as I love seeing what eyeshadows people have in their palettes, and hopefully this will give someone some makeup inspiration ;) This has been built up over a good year or so, I only got a palette when it became apparent that my collection was growing far too big for my makeup bag and really needed a more compact and secure home. I also have a little quad palette so I can decant some shades when I go away/on holiday and they can travel safely!

 I really rate MAC's eyeshadows, they are my favourite mac product and well worth the money- I use this palette every day and so far I have never had to replace a single shadow- they really last- both as a product and also very well on my eyelids throughout the day. Neutral shimmery colours are my favourite (All That Glitters is my absolute favourite so far), but I also have some slightly more 'out there' shades such as Swish, Amber Lights and Beauty' Marked to mix things up a little. I won't be stopping here though, with a vast shade range there are lots more I'd like to own, I think Coppering is pretty high up on that list, although I'm really drawn to the names as well, Mythology is a good example (and a beautiful colour)!
 I usually pick these up at the MAC counter in Bournemouth where I can spend ages choosing and swatching colours (sorry Adam!), so I expect some more will find their way to me :)

 If you're thinking of investing in some MAC eyeshadows, or are building a palette of your own, then I'd love to know. Any recommendations for my next purchase?

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June Favourites/ Items of the Month

I really enjoy reading 'favourites' posts and watching ones on Youtube, so I thought it was about time I shared my favourite products of the month with you! I might have had a few of these for over a month, but only just really used them properly, and I can't seem to get enough of them :)

Liz Earle Intensive Nourishing Treatment Mask, Boots Coconut & Almond Hair Mask, Mac Melba blusher, Natural Collection lipstick in Raspberry, Mac Strobe Cream, Essie Sand Tropez, Benefit The Porefessional.

 This is the sample of the Porefessional I got in last months Glamour magazine, I had wanted to try out this for ages, so I was happy to see it in the miniatures offered by Benefit to Glamour readers. This is a flesh-coloured primer which blends into your skintone (I don't think it really gives any coverage), leaving my skin feeling smoother and ready for my foundation. Since using this my makeup has lasted longer and my skin has felt less oily throughout the day. I like everything about this primer, including the light fruity scent, and I can see myself buying the full size of this when this little one has run out. Thumbs up!

I'm a sucker for a mac product, I'll happily jump on any mac product bandwagon if I see it raved about enough. So when I saw this talked about on blog posts/videos, I knew I had to try it. I got the smaller 30ml version to see if I liked it. And I do! It's lovely to mix in with my foundation and it gives the skin a glow. You also don't need much, this little tube will last a long time. It's full of nice stuff like antioxidants and green tea, so it's good for your skin and I can confirm it hasn't made my acne any worse. It also makes my skin feel soft and moisturised, dry skin sufferers would benefit from this I feel. I can see this becoming a staple in my makeup bag and routine. Well worth parting with some cash for this if you haven't tried it.

 Loving this treatment mask at the moment, another great product from Liz Earle (yes, I am obsessed!). I got this as the free product when I bought the monthly skin care offer a while ago. It's a rich cream that you slather on and take off with a muslin cloth run under warm water. I apply this before showering and leave it on until just before I get out. It makes my face soft and feeling smoother, and also helps with any redness from my spots. I only use this once or twice a week, but my skin thanks me for it. Worth investing in, and I believe any skin type can use and benefit from this.

 Yay for Essie! I've got a little collection of this brand going on, but so far this shade is my favourite- a light nude that can be built up into a sophisticated shade. It's similar to Models Own Utopia, but less purple. The longevity of this is fantastic (a week with no chips and without a top coat) and I am hooked. It also looks good under some nail art. Love it.

 When I bought this I was initially disappointed, but then I discovered I was using the wrong brush to apply it, and now I adore this shade. Melba is a popular one, and for good reasons. It warms the face up without being orange and lasts very very well, even without powder on my skin. I love it and really recommend it! I'm keen to invest in some more mac powder blushes (purchased Posey cream blusher last week, which is lovely), so I'll keep my eyes out for some shade inspiration.

 This smells amazing! I can't eat coconut due to some weird intolerance, but I love the smell and also using products with it in as it really makes my skin/hair feel lovely. This is a great hair mask and helps with my dry ends where any bleaching and heat appliances fry them. You get a huge tub for... £1.89! Bargain! Find this in Boots.

 A lipstick for £1.99?! It must be crap! Umm nope, it's actually very nice, moisturising and sheer, but buildable! And in quite a few different shades too, thanks Natural Collection (Boots). This was the last Raspberry shade left in store so I snapped it up, and I'm very glad I did. I like finding cheap-but-good products that work and don't cause too much damage to my bank balance ;)

 What are your monthly favourites? Found anything worth trying out?

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real techniques/mac soft & gentle

 I. When I got paid the other week I decided I needed some new makeup and brushes, a girl can't have enough! Went to Boots and took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer, bought the core collection and the stippling brush by Real Techniques...simply amazing brushes, they really do live up to all the hype around them, the buffing brush has overtaken my Sigma F80 foundation brush by miles. I love them. I just wish you could buy them all individually. The little case they come in is very useful though, as my current makeup brush holder (a mug) is quite full.

II. Then I went to the mac counter and picked up Soft & Gentle msf, it's very pretty and my new favourite highlighter, I've used it everyday since I bought it, it gives such a flattering and lovely glow to the skin, and I can see this working on pretty much every skin tone. I use my real techniques contour brush to apply it, so soft!

III. I have lost over a stone now, and I feel so good about it, everything seems to fit me so much better, although nearly every pair of skinny jeans I own are now quite baggy, might have to live in dresses until I can afford smaller ones, unless it snows of course!

IIII. Went out at the weekend for my friend's birthday, such a fun night, but I didn't take my camera, it was so nice to see everyone but it makes me think realise how far we've all moved away from each other, I really appreciated seeing everyone and having a good time- very much needed!

V. Just working this week and then making lots of yummy stuff for my mum's birthday on Saturday, then I'm off for a family day out on the Sunday to a castle, going to hopefully get some nice pictures and use up some more film.

Have a nice week/Easter! :)

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Relics to Ruins

L-R: Shroom, Espresso, Beauty Marked, All That Glitters

Melba

This awaited my arrive home from work yesterday, made my day. I'm aiming to build up a 15 palette, but a quad will do for now- LOVE all the colours. Don't let Beauty Marked fool you- it's actually more of a charcoal on the skin with hardly any shimmer, but still beautiful- much easier to wear than an all over black lid. Zoom Lash is something I want to own in full size- separates my lashes perfectly and doesn't end up down my lower lid at the end of the day- totally recommend! Melba is for me, a less coral version of Benefit's Coralista, it stays amazingly well on my skin and doesn't wear off easily, something that I found Coralista does.
Went Christmas shopping on Monday- spent an obscene amount of cash and only bought two presents- the rest for myself...OOPS. Will show everything I got on here soon I expect. I didn't buy anything at Urban Outfitters, wayyyyy too pricey although I could have happily bought the whole shop- might have to beg for a few things for Xmas, including the Diana Lomography camera- amazing.

It's my brother's birthday tonight, so I've been making one of my infamous chocolate cakes, complete with wonky smartie writing haha! Time to get fat!

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Agfa Optima 1a

Picked this little 1970s film camera up on ebay last week, a real little gem. Doesn't require a battery, only a roll of film and good light. It's way more basic than my Pentax, but no less charming. The carry case is rather cute too- real German leather. I'm looking forward to getting this film developed, although I'm not sure that I have the correct film for the ASA/ISO settings...oh well, the unpredictable joys of film!

I worked for an hour today- didn't seem worth it at all, but it's double pay so not all bad. Going Christmas shopping tomorrow, and I'll be having a cheeky look in the new Urban Outfitters, just might have to buy something out of principle ;) I've also got a ton of MAC stuff coming in the post, they also sent me a free mascara which I'm looking forward to using. Might also have a peek at the Barry M Lip Paints tomorrow too, there's a particular nude shade I'm interested in- sorry bank balance.

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Lip Talk

Lip pencil in Redd. Cremesheen Lipsticks in Speed Dial & Shy Girl. All MAC.

Just some stuff that arrived today. Really pleased with it all, but I want to get my hands on Hue lipstick as I've heard it's being discontinued next year?! Shame it's sold out online. I had an interview today, I won't say too much about it unless nothing comes of it, I should hear by Friday. Fingers majorly crossed! 

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