Friday I'm in Love #9

Friday I'm in Love #9

Friday, 29 August 2014

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Hi Guys,

              Happy Friday! This is the first Friday I'm in Love that I've done for a while but I have collected the all the things I've been loving for the past week and am ready to share them with you lovely people! 

L-R: Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper, MAC Maleficent Eyeshadow Quad, Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow  in 35 On & On Bronze, Kate Moss for Rimmel London Eyeshadow Stick in the shade 100 Rose Gold Scandaleyes 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London & L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara

 L-R: MAC Maleficent Eyeshadow Quad, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper, Scandaleyes 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London, L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara,  Kate Moss for Rimmel London Eyeshadow Stick 100 Rose Gold & Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow  in 35 On & On Bronze.

L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume

L'Oreal Paris Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara

This is my new favourite mascara ever. I bought this a couple of weeks back after months and months of wanting to try it. And man, oh man, it did not disappoint. It is, in a word, amazing! It gives excellent coverage. The formula is awesome, the brush is equally so and the combination of the two is... magical. It lengthens, volumises and curls the lashes, it's really long lasting AND most importantly it doesn't cost an absolute bomb. In love. Expect a full review of this soon.

Maleficent Eye Shadow Quad 

MAC Maleficent Eyeshadow Quad

MAC Maleficent Eyeshadow Quad - clockwise from top: Goldmine, Ground Brown, Carbon & Concrete

After seeing Maleficent last week (read about it here) I found out that to celebrate the release of the film MAC had released a collection dedicated to Disney's greatest -and scariest- villain. Obviously it being a MAC collection all the products had long since sold out but I had to get my hands on something from the collection. So with a determination I wish I could utilise in other areas of my life I got to clicking and found this. And it is beautiful. The packaging is so sleek and gorgeous and whilst the colours are not ones I would necessarily associate with Maleficent (brown... really?) they are colours I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of. I am obsessed with it.

Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 35 On and On Bronze

 Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 35 On & On Bronze

 Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 35 On & On Bronze

I have been going through a bit of a bronze eyeshadow obsession at the moment and this is the bad boy that started all the trouble. It is gorgeous. The colour is intense and beautiful, it's long lasting, has a lovely creamy consistency and makes me want to cry with happiness whenever I look at it. Just... stunning. 

Scandaleyes in the shade 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London & Eyeshadow Stick in the shade 100 Rose Gold by Kate Moss for Rimmel London

Scandaleyes in the shade 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London & Eyeshadow Stick in the shade 100 Rose Gold by Kate Moss for Rimmel London Scandaleyes in the shade 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London & Eyeshadow Stick in the shade 100 Rose Gold by Kate Moss for Rimmel London

Eyeshadow Stick in the shade 100 Rose Gold by Kate Moss for Rimmel London & Scandaleyes in the shade 011 Bluffing by Rimmel London (That's Bourjois So Lacque Glossy in 04 Amande Defile on my nails if you were interested)

Continuing along the same vein as the Maybelline New York Color Tattoo 24hr Gel-Cream Eyeshadow in the shade 35 On & On Bronze, I am totally loving these eyeshadow sticks from Rimmel. The colours are gorgeous. The formula is long lasting with a lovely creamy consistency. They are also ridiculously easy to apply and make smokey eyes a breeze. I can definitely see myself adding more of these to my collection.  

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper

Modelling Hot Pepper for you! I’m also wearing L’Oreal True Match Foundation in Rose Vanilla, Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer, MAC blush in Dame, Rimmel London Scandaleyes in 011 Bluffing, MAC eyeliner in Feline and L’Oreal Paris Miss Manga Volumising Mascara.

Despite being a massive lipstick fan I don't like to wear lipstick to work because it tends to get everywhere and I don't have time for touch ups. But this formula is so long lasting that I have no qualms wearing it to work.  I have spoken of my love of this formula before (read about it here .) It is fast becoming one of my favourite everyday reds. I also have the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Pink Pong, Ole Flamingo & Grand Cru. I love them. 

Picture via s2smagazine.com

This feat of televisual genius has been keeping me up at nights. I am tired and grouchy during the day but I don't even care because Scandal is that good! In fact saying it is good almost feels like a insult. It is the best thing to happen to television since Hugh Laurie put on an american accent and starred in House (you guys know how much I love House!) and I do not say that lightly. There are so many amazing things about this show... the epic love story between Olivia and Fitz - I am Team Olitz all the way! - the writing is nothing short of incredible, it's gripping. But I will say the absolute best thing is the casting. Oh my God the casting! Don't even get me started on the casting, it is stellar! Kerry Washington is incredible as Olivia Pope. No one else could play her. Kerry Washington owns it! Both Olivia Pope and Kerry Washington are my new girlcrushes and Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III is my new actual crush. If you haven't seen Scandal you need to change that... NOW! It's okay I'll wait, actually no I won't because 10 minutes in to the first episode you will get hooked and try to watch all 3 seasons in one sitting and I just don't have the time to wait around for you I'm afraid (sorry that was a weird moment). Anyway I am obsessed with Scandal!

This week's song of the week is Riptide by Vance Joy

I have been meaning to have this as my SOTW for ages because it is so good. The lyrics are a bit strange, as is the music video, but the melody is ridiculously upbeat, to me it just sounds like summer. 

So that was this week's Friday I'm in Love... I know it's been a while but I hope you enjoyed it. Have you tried any of my loves this week? If so what did you think? Love them? Hate them? Are you a Scandal addict? (I AM! I'm trying to make Scandal-avians happen, but like Fetch and Gretchen Weiners... it is not going to happen) Anyway I want to know. Let me know on twitter or by commenting below. If you do comment I try to always reply so do check back. Also check me out on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest for your daily dose of me :)

Love love love xxx

Mini Soap & Glory Haul

Mini Soap & Glory Haul

Thursday, 28 August 2014

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So this post was supposed to go up last night but life -and by life I mean Scandal & The Great British Bake Off- got in the way. Once I saw the 'bincident' on The Great British Bake Off I was useless for the rest of the night. Anyway... I have been going through a bit of Soap & Glory obsession at the moment and have been adding some new pieces to my collection so I thought I'd do a Mini Soap & Glory Haul. 

                    

L to R: Blush Brick in Peach Party, Solar Powder & One Heck of a Blot all by Soap & Glory.

Soap & Glory Blush Brick in Peach Party

This is one of the most beautiful blushes I have ever seen, it is gorgeous. This has been on my shopping list for some time, after buying and loving the blush brick in Love at First Blush (read about it here) I had to add more to my collection. It is the most beautiful, shimmery peach blush. I love it. 

Soap & Glory Solar Powder 

Confession time... this is the first bronzer I have ever bought. Having the pasty white complexion of a queasy ghost on a particularly pale day I am really wary of bronzer. I'm really scared that I'll end up with a bright orange face, which is not a good look for anyone. However I thought it was about time I put my irrational fear of bronzer and fake tan to bed. Whilst I have yet to pluck up the courage to actually use it I really like that it has a light and medium shade. I will keep you posted. 

Soap & Glory One Heck of a Blot Translucent Powder

AKA the best translucent powder in the world. Okay maybe not the world but definitely on the high street. I picked this up after hitting pan on my Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Face Powder by Collection (read about it here and here). This is so good. It's really finely milled so is not at all cakey and has a beautiful velvety smooth finish. It also came with a really cute puff, which I probably won't use... either way I. Love. It.

Sorry again that this post was so late, Scandal has taken over my life! It is so amazing But here it is, better late than never (I seem to say that a lot these days, sorry). So have you tried any of these amazing products? What do you think? Love them? Hate them? Think they're a bit meh? I want to know. Let me know via twitter or by commenting below. If you comment I always try to respond so do check back. Also pop over to my facebook, BlogLovin, instagram &pinterest and give me a cheeky like/follow, you know if you feel like it ;)

I will be back tomorrow with Friday I'm in Love #9, I mean it this time. So check back tomorrow.

Until then... 

Love love love x

Maleficent: A Movie Review

Maleficent: A Movie Review

Saturday, 23 August 2014

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Happy Saturday! I hope everyone has something utterly fabulous planned for the long weekend. I am writing to you from sunny Lowestoft where I am helping out in my Aunty's coffee shop for the day. I say helping, my mum's helping I'm eating cake and blogging. 

In place of last night's Friday I'm in Love, it being a little ridiculous to post something about Friday on a Saturday (not that that's ever stopped me before!), I thought I would review Maleficent for you lovely lot. Yes I finally saw it.  Warning this post definitely contains spoilers. 

(Picture via www.disneypictures.net)

I have been dying to see Maleficent for quite some time, a year at least. When I was little Sleeping Beauty was my absolute favourite disney film and Maleficent was the reason why. I both love and fear Maleficent, she's my favourite Disney villain ever. She's kind of a bad ass, she's also a psycho but Disney traditionally portrays strong women as such and there is no denying that Maleficent is definitely a strong woman (with some mad eyeliner skills... just saying!) She was absolutely terrifying! To this day I maintain that she is the scariest Disney villain of all time. I think it's because she doesn't sing.  Just a theory. Anyway...

(Sorry for the terrible quality, I screenshot this from my dvd! This part used to terrify me when I was little. Even now I get a prickle of fear and I am too old to find this scary!) 

Because of this I had really high expectations of Maleficent and honestly I wasn't sure what to make of it, I am so conflicted! Feelings are mixed it's all very confusing. As a prequel it falls short and doesn't do justice to the original story. As a standalone film, however, I loved it. See I told you, I'm conflicted. 

I love re-imaginings of classic stories where you get to see things from a different perspective. It's part of the reason why I love Wicked so much (that and it's incredible). However I really don't like it when the new story seems to deliberately contradict the original. That really winds me up. And Maleficent, I'm afraid, is definitely guilty of this crime. I'll give you an example, the name Maleficent literally means the doing of evil. So the fact that she is a nice character, at the beginning of the film at least, actually annoys me. But I'm pretty sure that would only bother former nerdy English Students like myself. I haven't found anyone else who is bothered by that, so it must be just me. There were other things too but I won't spoil it. 

Maleficent tells the story of Sleeping Beauty from the point of view of Maleficent and how and why she came to be evil and all that jazz. I do love a good origin story. We first meet Maleficent as the child Fairy Queen of the Moors (which is one hell of a title). She is happy and kind and has wings. BUT then she meets the boy who will grow up to be King Stefan and they become childhood sweethearts. However Stefan is an orphan who dreams of becoming King and living in the Castle and it is this ambition that poisons their relationship. I won't go into too much detail because I think people should see it for themselves and form their own opinions. 

I must say that the casting of Angelina Jolie was genius. And as someone who has and always will be Team Aniston you can imagine what a bitter pill that is to swallow. Whilst I don't think I will ever love and appreciate Angelina Jolie in quite the same way as Jennifer Aniston her performance in this film has gone a long way to build bridges. Angelina, I forgive you... All Ancient Brad Pitt drama aside I think she absolutely embodied the role of Maleficent. She was terrifying but also vulnerable and was actually quite funny in places. 

The resemblance is quite amazing considering one is a cartoon! Look at that crazy good eyeliner! Picture via www.kdramastars.com

Overall I did like it, not as much as I was expecting but like I said I have very mixed feelings, I think to truly enjoy it I would need to treat Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent as separate entities.  Having said that it is definitely worth a watch, especially to all you Disney fans out there. 

Have you seen Maleficent? What did you think? Did you love it? Hate it? Or are you as conflicted as I am? Let me know either by twitter or commenting below. If you do comment I do always reply so check back. For those of you who haven't seen it check out the trailer below. 

So that is it for today but I do have some posts planned over the next couple of days so keep your eye out. Until then please check me out on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. Hope everyone has an amazing bank holiday weekend.

Love love love xxx

First Impressions #2: Rimmel Match Perfection in 200 Soft Beige

First Impressions #2: Rimmel Match Perfection in 200 Soft Beige

Wednesday, 20 August 2014

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So it is Wednesday which usually means it's 2 Stars & A Wish time (read the latest here) round these here parts. But so inspired was I by my recent fixation with foundation I thought I would continue along the same vein as Monday's post and tell you all about my first impressions of another recent addition to my ever growing make up stash. Rimmel Match Perfection in 200 Soft Beige.

Rimmel Match Perfection Light Perfection Radiance Foundation in 200 Soft Beige

 Rimmel Match Perfection Light Perfection Radiance Foundation in 200 Soft Beige. I have swatched it on the back of my hand but I'm not sure if it shows up very well. That's Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine Polish in Pomegranate on my nails if you're interested ;) 

 I was already a fan of Rimmel's Match Perfection concealer in the same shade (read about it here, here & here)  so I was pretty sure I would like the foundation. However when I first applied it I wasn't particularly impressed. I'm not entirely sure why it just felt a bit... meh. However once it was on I really liked it.  The formula is nice, it's quite runny but goes on smoothly. It gives medium but buildable coverage and I think it made me look really fresh faced and glowy without making me look shiny. Whilst it's not the best foundation I've ever used it is good and at the low price of £6.99 (just over half the price of Revlon's Photoready foundation, read about it here) it's an absolute steal. 

This is what it looks like on. I'm also wearing Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer, MAC blush in Dame, the Sleek Face Form pallet in Fair, MUA Eyeshadow Pallet in Heaven & Earth, MAC eyeliner in Feline, Revlon Lash Potion Mascara 7 Clinique Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry.  

Have you tried Rimmel Match Perfection foundation? What did you think? Love it? Loathe it? Let me know on twitter or by commenting below. If you do comment I do always try to reply so do check back. Also check out my facebook, BlogLovin, instagram and pinterest for your daily fix :) 

Love love love xxxx

First Impressions: Revlon Photoready Foundation in 004 Nude

First Impressions: Revlon Photoready Foundation in 004 Nude

Monday, 18 August 2014

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Hi Guys,

                 Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. I took my niece and nephew to see Rio 2, which I actually enjoyed. Who'd have thunk it?! Anyway...

Revlon Photoready Foundation in 004 Nude

In the last week or so I have developed something of a fascination / obsession with foundation. And one of my lastest purchases is the Revlon Photo Ready Foundation in the shade 004 Nude. I have worn this twice and the first time I was absolutely blown away and loved it. The second time it was hastily applied and I was not as impressed, although I think this was due to the fact that I was in a rush and didn't blend it very well. 

I've swatched it on the back of my hand but you can't really see it. I apologise for my rank hands.

Overall I really like it, it does take some working into the skin but other than that I can't really fault it. It gives medium to full coverage but doesn't look cakey at all. The finish is actually quite dewy which I like, the formula is really nice as well it's not too runny but it's not too thick either. Whilst I don't think the colour would work for me in the wintertime at the moment it's perfect. 

Have you tried Revlon's Photoready Foundation? If so what did you think? Let me know on twitter or by commenting below, if you do comment I always try to reply so do check back :) Also check out my facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xx

Forgiving In Love with Ginger...

Forgiving In Love with Ginger...

Saturday, 16 August 2014

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Hey Guys, 

                   So a couple of months ago I wrote about Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick in the shade In Love with Ginger. It was not a favourable review, it was actually one of my wishes (read it here). I found that it was too orange for my skin tone and it just didn't work for me. At the time I hoped that when the weather got a bit brighter and my skin went from translucent to what an ordinary person would call pale (but on me is actually a tan) that the colour would work better on me. I was right. 

 Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick in 660 In Love with Ginger.

So I was going to a family bbq to celebrate my graduation and my brother's 30th birthday. I was wearing an orange dress and thought that maybe it was time to let bygones be bygones and give it another try. I am so glad that I did. 

Whilst in the winter months I cannot and should not wear this lipstick because it just doesn't work for my ghostly pallor. In the summer however I can work it. I'm really happy that I tried it out again because it looked absolutely gorgeous. 

What do you think? What are your feelings about In Love with Ginger? Love it? Hate it? Let me know on twitter or comment below. Also check me out on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxx

Pay Day Haul #1

Pay Day Haul #1

Friday, 15 August 2014

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So as you can see this is not Friday I'm in Love #9 and the reasons for that are 1. I've had a migraine this week that has really knocked me through a loop. 2. I had so many loves this week from stuff I've bought recently and haven't actually mentioned yet. So I thought I would do another Haul Post. I get paid weekly and the last couple of weekends I've been feeling particularly spendy (oops!) so I thought I'd share with you all the things I've bought...

Benefit's They're Real Push-Up Liner 

I bought this last week and I have raved about it since. I actually wrote a review about this last week (you can read it here) 

No 7 Beautiful Skin Deep Pore Purifier

I thought I was buying a serum when I picked this up last week so I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's kind of like a scrub and has a super funky tip that exfoliates the skin. I haven't tested it out yet but it looks so fun 

Bourjois Velvet Rouge in Olé Flamingo

This has been on my wish list for some time so when pay day rolled around I made a beeline for it. The colour is highly pigmented and beautiful and the formula is incredible. Once it's on, IT's ON! Wild horses couldn't tear it away -Rolling Stones reference yay!- I can't wait to add more to my collection. 

No 7 Pop & Glow Cream Blush in Watermelon 

Stick Cream Blushes are having something of a moment lately and I thought I would give this little lovely a try. Whilst it does look violently red in the pictures it's actually a really pretty pink. I've never used a cream blush before so I'll have to let you know, but so far so good. 

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation in 53 Light Beige

I've heard some really good things about this foundation - which is why I bought it :) - It gives light but buildable coverage, which is perfect for the sweaty summer months. It's really long lasting and the formula is lovely. New summer favourite right here.

Soap & Glory's Love at First Blush

How gorgeous is that?! I haven't used it yet because I don't want to spoil something so beautiful but I will keep you posted. Peach Party is next on my list because this is super gorge. 

No 7 Beautiful Skin Rapid Spot Rescue 

Blackheads and spots are the bane of my existence. I bought this as it promises to reduce appearance and redness within 2 hours. I haven't had any major spots (Thank God) to test this out on. But I will keep you posted for any future blackouts. 

Ciate - Mini Mani Month Calendar

L-R: Snowglobe, Boudoir, Amazing Gracie, Silver (Caviar Metallic Pearls), Hoopla & Sugar Plum

 L-R: Main Stage, Midnight in Manhattan (Caviar Pearls), Candy Floss, Pillow Fight, Pepperminty & Gold (Caviar Metallic Pearls).

 L-R: Encore, Ivory Queen, Twinkle Toes (Glitter), Chinchilla, Members Only & Tweed & Tails.

L-R: Dallas Dolly (Sequins), Starlet, Fit for a Queen, Hopscotch, Cupid's Arrow (Caviar Pearls) & Playdate. 

I picked this up in T.K. Maxx for the bargain price of £19.99 (it retails at £52.) I didn't realise at the time that it was actually an advent calendar, I thought about saving it for Christmas but knew that I would've long since forgotten about it by then. Plus I'm far too impatient to wait another 3 months and 28 days before I could play with it so I opened it (in order of course, I'm impatient, not an animal!). It had some really lovely colours and even had some bottles of caviar beads, sequins and glitter. I'm so happy I bought it. 

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I am going through something of a Real Techniques obsession at the moment and thought I would add the Miracle Complexion Sponge to my growing collection. I haven't tried it yet but will keep you posted. 

The Champions Collection by Nails Inc 

L-R: Royal Botanical Gardens, Draycott Terracce, Hampton Court Palace Gardens, Belgravia Gardens & Westbourne Grove.

I'm guessing from the name and the packaging this collection was inspired by London 2012 which is perhaps the reason why it only cost me £7. I'm a huge Nails Inc fan so this was a no brainer. I've never had any problems with the formula and the colours are quite lovely and perfect for summer.

#GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso

I got this on the recommendation of a friend. I hadn't really heard of Nasty Gal or Sophia Amoruso but my friend really raved about the book so I thought I would give it a go. I've only read the timeline at the beginning of the book but I can already see that Sophia Amoruso is my kind of lady and I can't wait to get started. 

Real Techniques Starter Set

L-R Accent, Eyeliner, Deluxe Crease, Base Shadow and Eyebrow Brush

The Deluxe Crease and Base Shadow brushes were 2 of my loves last week (read it here). They are really nice. Overall the brushes are great but those two are my faves. 

Season 1 of The Mindy Project & Season 2 of New Girl

I love The Mindy Project. I love New Girl. So these were a no brainer. I'm looking forward to a long, lazy (preferably rainy) Sunday where I can binge watch them in my jamas. 

Looking back I have bought absolutely loads. I have a shopping problem. This will be the last of the Haul posts for a while because I need to save up for my masters degree. I say that but I know what I'm like and spending will happen. 

What did you think? Have you tried any of this stuff? Let me know on twitter or comment below. Also check me out on facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. Have a happy weekend.

Love love love xxx