Sunday, 29 September 2013

Clean Hands = Happy Mummy | Dettol with E45 Softness Handwash

If you've read my post Dear Carex... you'll know that it's been a battle to get my 9 year old to wash his hands before now. And if you're a mum, like myself, then you'll know how important it is to know that they're keeping their hands clean - you can only imagine what kinds of things they get their hands into!!

After years of nagging persuading, Bradley is finally, thankfully, keeping on top of his hand washing before meals, after using the bathroom, etc. and therefore knowing that the hand wash we're using as a family is killing germs and looking after our skin, is of super importance to me. 
Plus, I'm always trying to find ways in which to protect my hands from the daily stresses and signs of ageing. Household chores and working with young children for a living definitely take their toll. I try to use a hand cream daily and am always on the lookout for hand washes that won't be too drying on my hands.

So, when I was approached to trial the brand new Dettol with E45 Softness Handwash* I was more than happy to see what it had to offer. 


Spink, on behalf of Dettol with E45 say...
'Your hands are one of the most visible and used parts of your body, therefore keeping them soft, hydrated and germ-free is essential. Luckily, Dettol & E45 are on hand to offer the double benefits of hygiene and skin protection for softer, healthier feeling hands for both you and your family. The child friendly product stems from two leading household brands joining forces to create a dual-action hand care solution that provides the ultimate pampering and protection. By harnessing E45's moisturising expertise and Dettol's trusted germ-kill protection, this dual-action solution offers effective antibacterial care, killing 99.9% of bacteria, whilst protecting the skin's natural moisture levels.' 

TheBrunetteSays...
When I hear the word 'Dettol' I'm automatically thinking 'clean', 'kills germs', 'hygenic'. So that's got to be a good start. Whilst when I think 'E45' I think 'creamy', 'great skin care', 'soothing', 'good for dry skin'. Both brands are really well known, family friendly brands. So teamed together, I expected this product to be pretty great, and I wasn't wrong. It is creamy, moisturising and knowing that it is effortlessly killing 99.9% of bacteria and removing viruses makes for a perfect duo!
I pretty much always go for creamy hand washes, for their moisturising properties, but this one feels a little different. I can't put my finger on it to describe it - almost creamier than most, and leaves a soft, silky finish after use. I also shared a few bottles with my friends and family and got nothing but positive comments...

"Smells lovely, has a silky finish on my hands after use.."
"Would repurchase, better smell and feel than usual brand..."
"Smells nice and keeps your hands soft.."
"I like the fact that it's Dettol so I feel cleaner after using it.."
"Really lovely and smells great.."
"My daughter has eczema and she loves it, it feels nice on her hands and doesn't dry out her skin, I'd definitely buy it for her ensuite.."
"Feels softer and smoother than usual hand wash.."



Would I recommend it?
Yes, particularly if you or your family suffer from dry skin or your usual hand wash dries out your skin. And for all mummies out there, that have to wash their hands at every given moment, and those with young children for that extra piece of mind that their little hands are extra clean (& soft!)

Would I repurchase it?
After those comments, who wouldn't?! ;)


Dettol with E45 Softness Hand Wash is available in stores nationwide including Boots & major supermarkets, at £2.49, in lotus flower, honey and camomile.

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Wednesday, 25 September 2013

Anti-Ageing Project: An Introduction

I've been thinking about doing something like this for a while, and now I'm on the sick for a couple of weeks following surgery (& stuck in bed with the telly, laptop & bunch of magazines for company!) I thought it a good opportunity to get stuck in...


Source


Okay so I'm fast approaching 30 and I do have some fine lines, dark circles and other signs of ageing, more and more of my skincare routine is becoming anti-ageing based.
I wanted to start a project where we can share anti-ageing tips and reviews on products and discuss what we're currently using and find products that really do work. 

The initial plan is to do fortnightly ongoing posts, in which you can decide to contribute to the post each fortnight or not, and opt out of the project whenever you wish.
I will set up a mailing list and each fortnight you can send me your short input, which can be anything you wish; anti-ageing related to be included in the post. 

Your input could be:
A review on an anti-ageing product (good or bad!)
Products you're currently using
Updates on your skin
Tips & Advice
Sharing and discussing ways in which you prevent ageing - face and body
Natural remedies
Anything you think people will benefit from.

You don't have to be a blogger to get involved!


So, do you have any signs of ageing? 
Or maybe you've already started preparing your skin to help prevent ageing? 
Maybe you don't agree with anti-ageing products? 


Get involved!!


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Monday, 23 September 2013

AllSaints AW13 Wishlist

AllSaints AW13 Wishlist


Lirienne Jumper Dress - £118.00
Love this jumper dress, it'll look great with boots, and with tights once it starts to get colder.

Scratch Sweat - £198.00
I really like this jumper, very cute. The price is a bit steep for a jumper unfortunately, but nonetheless I think it's super cute and would look great with a pair of skinnies.

Wish Boyfriend T-shirt - £40.00
I've been a fan of AllSaints graphic t-shirts for years and years, I have to pick a few up now and then. I do have a couple already from the AW13 range, and this is another I fancy getting my hands on.

Petrel Brodie Jeans - £95.00
Shiny skinnies, love them. They'll go well with chunky knit jumpers. I had a similar pair previously that I loved, but unfortunately no longer fit.. so these are definitely on my wish list!

Blaise Stack Ring - £48.00
I'm a big fan of AllSaints style jewellery, and there are soooo many nice pieces available this season. I love these silver stack rings!

Mika Bracelet - £68.00
How pretty is this silver bracelet?? I want want want!!!

Virtue Beau T-shirt - £35.00
You can never have too many AllSaints vests in the wardrobe in my opinion. This one needs to be in mine too!

Granite Scarf - £88.00
This is so so pretty. I have the oversized tee with this design, it's such a classy floral design.

Axelle Clutch - £125.00
One of the nicest clutches I've seen in a while!


What do you have your eye on in AllSaints right now??




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Friday, 20 September 2013

Bumble & Bumble Mending Shampoo & Conditioner

You may remember back in July, my payday wishlist purchase were the Bumble & Bumble Mending shampoo & conditioner. Read my post here
The time has come to let you know how I got on..

My hair & I have a love/hate relationship, and it's not in the best condition right now. I suffer from split ends, and I had my hair highlighted earlier this year which has left it dry and lack lustre. 
I'm always on the look out for good hair care products that'll keep my hair soft and healthy. So I thought I'd give these a go. The bottles scream 'For the (truly) damaged' so I thought they'd be just what my locks needed. 'Bb Mending' - I hoped it lived up to it's name! And at £25.00 each, I was expecting great things..


Bumble & Bumble say...
'This ultra-mild cleanser/rich conditioner begins treating/repairing damage without stripping colour, wilting perms or reverting chemically straightened hair.'

TheBrunetteSays...
I've been using this for quite a few weeks now. I was using them together, every 3 days and to be honest, I didn't really feel a difference in my hair.
The shampoo is quite concentrated, and doesn't lather too much, which we know is a sign of a good shampoo! It smells really nice and the fragrance lingers for a good while. The conditioner is a thick, creamy formula that feels nice on my ends. Unfortunately, when used together, my hair ends up quite frizzy.
I find these to be quite average products, and not really worth the £25.00 a bottle. At that price, I was expecting shiny, soft, manageable hair and for my dry, damaged hair to look and feel better. I'm not sure I got that. My hair felt 'heavy', like I'd used 'heavy' products. It felt thick and often frizzy. 
That said, I did feel that my split ends looked a lot better, and my hair felt clean and healthy.
I've since been using them separately with other products and had much better results. I'm currently using the shampoo with my Dove Intensive Repair Mask & Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Treatment and my hair has felt super soft!


Would I repurchase them?
No, I don't think I would. I know that there are better hair care products out there to spend my money on. I'll continue using the products, but I don't think I'd repurchase.

Would I recommend them?
Hmm.. Give them a go and see what you think. But for £25.00 a pop, I personally don't think you're getting your moneys worth with these.


Bumble & Bumble Mending Shampoo & Conditioner are available here, at £25.00 each.


Have you tried Bb's Mending range? What Shampoo & Conditioner do you swear by?


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Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Hello Autumn!


Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Bel-Ami - Rouge Coco Shine are one of my favourite types of lipstick ever. They're super glossy and hydrating. Bel-Ami is a subtle wine colour. AW13 is all about plum / burgundy / wine stained lips, so this is perfect!

Sleek Face Contour kit in Medium - I love this contour kit from Sleek featuring a dark matte powder and an illuminating highlighter.

Benefit Brow Zings brow shaping kit - Autumn is going to be all about the big brows! Brow Zings is the UK's best selling brow kit. It includes wax, powder, tweezers and brushes, perfect for those statement brows!

Benefit Rockateur cheek powder - Pink, rosy cheeks are set to be popular this Autumn, and this rose/gold cheek powder is so pretty!

MAC Cremeblend Blush in Tease Your Tastes - Another soft pink blush perfect for finishing that Autumn look.

Sleek I Divine eyeshadow palette in Vintage Romance - This palette is an amazing price at only £7.99, for all these eyeshadows, all bang on trend for Autumn for those glam plum, or smokey eyes.

MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy - I have a ton of lipsticks from MAC, I'm a big fan of their nudes, which is lucky since nude lips are very much in this season, teamed with glam eyes! I love the look of this matte deep beige shade.

MAC Eyeshadow in Palace Pedigreed - This eyeshadow is perfect for the plum/wine stained, glam eye trend for AW13!


What items are you wanting to get your hands on for this Autumn's new trends?







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Monday, 16 September 2013

Silver Jewellery Wishlist




I do love silver jewellery. 
I prefer white gold and platinum mind you.. ;)
It looks classy and glam when dressed up, yet pretty when wore casual. Silver goes with pretty much anything and finishes an outfit off just nicely. I'm a big Tiffany & Co fan, a Tiffany blue box with something pretty inside gets a big thumbs up from me! 

Collectables have some stunning silver jewellery on their site right now, and many items are currently on sale. There are so many nice pieces on there, I could go a little crazy! ;) It was so hard to decide on a few bits to show you in my wish list but I managed to narrow it down to a few silver pieces I'd love to get my hands on...


Phantasya Medium Rhodium Gemstone Black Ring - £24.49
Love this ring. Silver with black and tiny crystals. This would look nice alone, or stacked with other silver/black rings. 

Annaleece Starlight Earrings - £8.79
22k gold heart cut stud earrings with clear Swarovski elements. Pretty heart shaped studs, that'll look great from day to night. Want want want!


Swarovski Gillian Y-Necklace - £61.20
Briolette-cut clear crystals, set on a silver snake chain clamped together with a clear crystal element. I love this, very cute yet classy.

Joma Lila Silver Bracelet - £22.50
Cute silver bracelet threaded with tiny chubby hearts finished with a big silver heart. This is a really nice, girly bracelet. I'm all about hearts and bows and all things girly, so this is so me!


Joma Lila Tiny Heart Stud Earrings - £9.99
How cute are these little beauties?


Phantasya Black & White Necklace - £32.90
A chunky black heart covered in crystals on a silver chain. Its a quirky, pretty finish to an outfit. 

Skagen Steel Beadshape Bangle - £31.20
I really want some pretty bangles, I've found a few really pretty silver and black ones that'll look really nice together. 


Collectables are an online gift retailer offering a wide range of products including but not limiting to jewellery, watches, fashion, home ware and lots more. 


Are you a fan of silver jewellery? Do you like any of the pieces in my wish list? 








[In collaboration with Collectables]

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Sunday, 15 September 2013

My Week - Sept8th-15th

Hi guys,

Well, I'm not happy about the weather this week, it can't decide if it wants to be hot or cold. It's so hard to decide what to wear. But I am looking forward to Autumn settling in, wearing snuggly jumpers and layering up. 
This week has gone pretty fast actually. Work has been busy. James has started his new job which is going well. Bradley won Star Of The Week at school and is doing really well, so all in all a good week, I've been feeling really tired and drained though!!
I'm on a spending ban. No cosmetics until the Clothes Show, unless a necessity. So far so good, I ordered a couple of Real Techniques make up brushes yesterday but used my Boots points. ;) 
This weekend has been a relaxing one, getting some blogging done and some relaxing as been so tired.

I've also had a bit of a freshen up of my blog, with big thanks to Aly at Aleelily - let me know what you think to my new look!

Here are some pictures from this week..
My favourite foundations - read my post as part of the Starting Off Project | A new addition to my hair care collection - read my post about Herra Protect Hair Perfume | Bradley dressed up as Mr Twit for Roald Dahl day at school | A quote I found that means a lot to me.
September's GlossyBox, some fab pieces in there this month! | I've found a new favourite eyeliner pen in Be A Bombshell's Onyx eyeliner | Been experimenting with matte nails this weekend, need a little more practise :) | A friends picture from last weekends night out.


Favourite Product of the Week...
How amazing is the MAC In Extreme Dimension 3D Black Lash mascara? They've outdone themselves with this little beauty. It's on par with Benefit's They're Real for me. It lasts all day and is full of volume and curl. New favourite here!

Favourite Fragrance of the Week...
My fave smell this week has been my Herra Protect Hair Perfume. It's such a lovely fragrance that got lots of compliments. Read my full review here

Favourite Bit of the Week...
Saturday! I'd had such a busy, tiring week, I couldn't wait for the weekend. Once I'd got the cleaning out of the way I could sit down and relax, catch up on some TV and get some blogging done with a little chocolate fix. That sounds so lame, but I really needed it this week!! It's the little things!!

What I Learnt This Week...
How important the quote 'Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life' is to me.

Favourite Blogpost of the Week...
I really enjoyed reading 'Buying MakeUp From Discount Retailers: Do You Really Know What You're Getting' by Hayley at London Beauty Queen this week. A really informative post about what kind of cosmetics you may find in the likes of Poundland & Fragrance Direct. Not enough people realise that the reason why these cosmetics are so cheap is due to the fact that they're old stock that has been sat god knows where before reaching these stores, and are probably very near their sell by date!

Favourite TV of the Week...
I've caught up with a lot of my favourite trashy TV this week. But my favourite has to be Breaking Bad. James & I snuggle up on a Monday eve to watch it, it's getting very exciting. We're both gutted it's almost finished!!

Favourite Tweet of the Week...
'#HAPPINESS:- It's not measured by what you have. It's measured by what you FEEL, which does not have to depend on what you have.' - @the_speakmans 


Have a good week ladies..




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Friday, 13 September 2013

Herra Protect Hair Perfume*

Let's be honest, we've all been known to spritz a bit of perfume into our hair at some point. After all, hair is more absorbent than skin, so delivers a longer lasting scent. Yay! But we soon learnt that most perfumes contain alcohol and are actually pretty drying to the hair. Boo!

Herra approached me to give their new Herra Protect Hair Perfume a go. Hair perfume? Perfume made for hair? Really? Okay..
I hadn't used one before, not being able to justify splashing out on something just to make my hair smell nice. It's just a new craze.. right? 
What I didn't know was the other amazing benefits they have..



Featuring in many magazines of late, including Vogue, and having just had an amazing week backstage at New York Fashion Week, this little beauty is causing a stir!

Herra say...
'Herra Protect Hair Perfume is an innovative product created by the joint expertise of London's finest hair talents and a leading fragrance expert. A revolutionary product with weightless, protecting and hydrating ingredients accompanied with the Herra epsilon signature fragrance.
This amazing product is suited to all hair types and lifestyles. The Herra Team has been working alongside industry experts to create the ultimate finishing product for protecting and refreshing your hair. A woman's hair will indicate her overall wellbeing and by developing a completely innovative product, we have been able to overcome the daily issues you encounter with your hair.'

TheBrunetteSays...
First impressions do count, and the sleek black and gold box and the glass bottle look great on my dressing table next to my other perfumes. It is also the perfect size to pop into my handbag.
I'll be totally honest, I didn't think I was going to think much to it, I thought that hair perfume was a silly fad, a waste of money.
I was wrong. Turns out I've just found a new favourite when it comes to hair care!
Not only does it have a lovely fragrance, with ingredients such as Italian bergamot, rose, musk, sandalwood, creamy vanilla and white jasmine, a really delicate yummy scent that lasts a few hours, but it also protects against UV rays and colour fade, and contains antioxidants that help shield the hair against pollution and free radicals. It contains moisturising glycerin to seal in moisture and provide hydration and I can honestly say that after only a few days use I can feel a difference in my hair. It feels smooth to the touch and hydrated. A perfect product for in between washes! And one that makes your hair smell fab too. It's not a long lasting smell, a few hours maybe. But the smoothness continues. 
I will warn you not to use too much, and not to get too close - it is essentially an oil, less is more. Too much and too close will make your hair a little greasy, as I found out earlier in the week.
A quick spritz at arms length each morning and pop it in your handbag for a refreshing spritz later in the day - great smelling hair that is also being protected. What more could you want?

I took the bottle into work for some of my work colleagues to try. One said she really liked it and would buy it, her hair smelt really fresh and lasted a few hours, which was a bonus since she is a smoker. Another said she liked the smell, although as she had shorter hair she wasn't able to smell it on herself. Both commented that the price was a little steep for them.



Would I recommend it?
Yes! Herra Protect Hair Perfume will benefit everyone. It boasts to protect and shield hair from air conditioning and central heating, which can damage and dehydrate the hair; protecting and refreshing against daily pollution. Take it to the gym to refresh your hair after exercise. Take it on holiday to help protect hair from UV rays. It's a perfect solution for in between washes, to freshen, fragrance and protect both natural hair and hair extensions.

Would I repurchase?
I think this will last me a good while. But I think I'd definitely repurchase as I love the smell and the feel of my hair when I've used it. It may be something I purchase as a luxury now and again.


Herra Protect Hair Perfume is available from Herra Hair Care at £24.99 (50ml)


Have you joined the hair perfume craze? Is this product something you'd like?





[*PR Sample - sent to me for review]
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Thursday, 12 September 2013

Harem's Secret - Traditional Turkish Exfoliating Gloves*

If you've followed my blog for a while, then you'll know that I love a good scrub! ;) 
I'm big on exfoliating and it's a huge part of my bath time routine. So when Harem's Secret approached me to review their 100% raw silk exfoliating gloves, I couldn't wait to receive them.




Harem's Secret, a Turkish company that pride themselves on helping you get super smooth, healthy skin in the most natural, time-proven way. 

It is so important to keep your skin exfoliated. As we age, our skin needs a little help removing old skin cells as cell regeneration slows down. The body is slower to shed skin cells and generate new ones. This can lead to old skin cells piling up on the skins surface, which can lead to skin looking dull, rough, dry and can also lead to clogged pores, excess oil and blemishes. 
How you exfoliate and how often you exfoliate is down to your skin. It is often recommended that you exfoliate once a week as too much can irritate the skin. But your skin will tell you if you're exfoliating too much or too little.




Harem's Secret say...
'Harem's Secret Exfoliating Gloves were specially designed to provide an exfoliating experience in a most natural, skin-friendly way. These gloves are made of 100% raw silk that works in harmony with your body, retaining 5.5 balance and not damaging the skin. The gloves are non-irrative, non-toxic and natural products.'

TheBrunetteSays...
I currently use exfoliating gloves with my Lush soap, every 3 days. But I decided to try the body glove with water alone the first time I tried it. The glove is more of a pouch/mitt with an elasticated neck to fit over your wrist - a little different to the usual gloves I'm used to. I gently rubbed the glove over my skin in circular movements to buff my skin, as the instructions suggest. I followed my scrub with my usual moisturiser. My skin did feel scrubbed. And I loved the fact that the glove was made of organic raw silk. The next few times I've used the glove, I have used it with my Lush soap.
Knowing that a good scrub with the glove is opening up my pores, getting rid of dead skin cells and boosting blood circulation is enough for me to continue using these gloves.
The gloves, plus a good body scrub the following day and lots of yummy body butter means my skin is super soft and healthy.
I also received the face glove, specially made for sensitive skin, which I have yet to use. I'll keep you posted on how I get on with that.



Would I recommend it?
Yes, they're a quick and easy way to exfoliate, and the benefits speak for themselves - cleaner, clearer skin, restores evenness of skin tone and preparing the skin for serums and moisturisers. And the fact that they're made of raw silk, means that the skin will stay PH neutral. 

Would I re-purchase?
I'll continue to use the glove for a few months until it's time to renew. I'm not sure if I'll repurchase from Harem's Secret, but only due to the fact of the price and shipping costs, from Turkey. Which is a shame as it's such a lovely product.


Harem's Secret body glove/mitt is available to buy online at haremsecret.com at €24.90 (£20.95). And the face glove/mitt at €14.90 (£12.54).


What do you think of these gloves?




*PR sample - sent to me for review
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Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Starting Off - Foundation

Welcome to my third post of 'The Starting Off Project' - founded and set up by Stephanie from Steph's Inside Voice.

Catch up on my previous posts:
I'm Part of #theSOproject... Are you?
Starting Off - Skincare
Starting Off - Concealer

Credit:Pinterest

So, we've prepped and primed our skin with our skin care routine, covered our blemishes with concealer...

Now let's talk: Foundation...
Foundation is make-up applied to the whole face and neck, to create a uniform, healthier complexion, even out skin tone and cover minor blemishes. It helps the rest of your make up stay put longer, and is a major step towards flawless looking skin. 

Foundation is probably the most important part of your make up routine. Get it wrong and it can ruin your whole look. There are soooo many foundations out there to choose from, and it can be tricky to find the right shade to suit your skin tone. Let's be honest we've all seen somebody with an orange face and white neck! ;) 

Which foundation is best for you?
Liquid foundation - usually has a creamy, moisturising consistency, good for dry skin, good for building coverage, easy to apply with foundation brush, sponge or clean fingers, versatile, available in waterproof, smudge proof, long lasting formulas as well as dewy or matte finishes...
Cream to Powder foundation - goes on creamy but dries to a powder finish that minimises oil, easy application with sponge, long lasting, good for oily/combination, mature or dry skin, easy to control, good for building coverage, good for touch ups...
Mineral Powder foundation - free from harsh chemicals, good for sensitive or oily/combination skin, smooth/matte finish, easy to apply with brush, light/soft focus to medium coverage, easy to apply with powder brush, also good when used to set make up...
Tinted Moisturiser - moisturiser with a touch of foundation, best for a natural, no make up look, suits all skin types, not good for coverage, easy to apply with foundation brush, sponge or clean fingers...
Stick foundation - heavy coverage, almost like a concealer, not good for dry skin, can be difficult to apply, good for touch ups...
Mousse/Whipped foundation - liquid foundation with air whipped in, light/smooth/matte finish, good for all skin types...

As I mentioned before, it is so important to find the right shade of foundation for your skin tone. The best way to do this is to get matched up by the assistant at the make up counters in the department stores. Premium foundation is more expensive than drug store brands, but as foundation is such an important part of your base, it is an investment well spent, plus you have the help and advice of the assistant in finding the best shade for you. 
If you prefer to try a drug store brand, make sure you test the foundation on your jawline (never on your hand) and blend into your face and neck, and check in a mirror in natural light to find the shade most suitable. Also remember that you're skin tone will change depending on the time of year, it might be an idea to have a few shades on hand, or to get your skin matched up each time you purchase your foundation.

It is also important to consider the finish you're after. A dewy glow? A matte - natural look? 

TheBrunetteSays...
These are the foundations in my collection:


I only really use 3 of these regularly..

MAC Studio Fix (£21.50) - One of my most favourite foundations from MAC, I use this every day and I love the finish and the coverage, this stuff is definitely one of my holy grail products!! It is a creamy, matte finish. It's smooth and long lasting and easily buildable.
MAC Studio Tech (£25.00) - One of my most favourite products ever. I sometimes use this to set my make up, and for touch ups throughout the day. Goes on a soft emulsion and dries a powder finish. Read my full review here.
Chanel Lift Lumiere (£38.00) - Another fave! It is a firming and smoothing foundation, I often mix this with my Studio Fix. But I've just ran out.. And I'm on a spending ban. Devastated! ;) So it'll sit on my wish list for a while (or until I crack! ;) )

I use the MAC Mineralize Satinfinish for an extra dewy glow on nights out, and the other 2 are drug store foundations I have just in case of emergencies, if I ever run out of foundation. 


After applying my concealer, I then apply my liquid foundation using a foundation brush or clean fingers. My foundation brush broke 2 days before my holiday which meant I had to use my fingers, but have since found that I much prefer the application using my fingers now, and many pros also agree! I dot the liquid on my forehead, nose, chin and cheeks and blend all over my face and neck, starting in the middle and working my way out. 

Always start with less foundation than you think you'll need, you can then build on it if you need to. It's better to layer on more, then to have applied way too much!! Pay close attention to your hairline and jawline, and never neglect your neck! Set your foundation with a powder or other setting products.

So, that's my take on Foundation. Join me next week to talk Bronzer.
Remember to use the Twitter hashtag #theSOproject to read more Foundation posts from the 120+ other bloggers taking part in this project. 

Feel free to comment with your links to your Foundation posts as part of #theSOproject. 


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Saturday, 7 September 2013

My First Time [Tag]

I was tagged by Sara from Sookiespartan in the My First Time tag.. So let's go..

First best friend
My first best friend was a girl called Danielle, we went to nursery school together and our mums were really close, so we spent a lot of time together growing up and went to every school together. Our mums are still best friends and see each other regularly. I don't see Danielle much nowadays, if I bump into her we'll chat and catch up of course. And obv nowadays we have the beauty of social networks so I'm still up to date on what she's getting up to. :)

Credit:Pinterest


First Kiss
My first kiss was with a boy called Ross. I was about 14 so that's probably quite late, lol. I'd had a few cheeky kisses before then, but my first full on kiss was then. It was in my friends bedroom and I was soooo nervous. I've seen him around a few times since and he aged pretty well, so it's not too shameful ;)

Credit:Pinterest


First Concert
My first ever concert was on November 25th 1996, at the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, and it was to see the Backstreet Boys! A date I remember well! ;) I was 12 and I went with my best friend Kym and her big sister Stacey. We were big fans and we were so excited we made a huge banner. Aw such good times. I've only ever missed one tour since then, have been lucky enough to spend some amazing times with them since! ;) 

Credit:Pinterest


First Celebrity Crush
I think my first little crush was Mark Owen, way back in the very early days of Take That. I had posters of him on my bedroom wall. :) My first big celeb crush was with Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys - I was slightly obsessed with the boy if I'm honest. As I said, I've been lucky enough to spend a bit of time with him once we were all grown up ;) and although he's still amazingly hot, I quickly got over my crush! ;)

First Job
My first paid job once I left college was a part time job with a local education project (the equivalent to Surestart now) I worked at a summer play scheme and ran a small creche, before getting a full time job a few months later in a day nursery.

First Music I Bought
The first music I bought with my own money, was on record (yes I'm that old!) and was Kylie - What Kind of Fool.

Credit:eil.com


First Phone
My first phone was a massive brick that my parents bought me from QVC. I was 14 I think, so 1998. Nobody even had phones at my school, and I was that embarrassed by it that I never even used it. Then when I was 15 my boyfriend bought me one of those Motorola huge ones with the big ariel. If you'd have told me back then that we'd have touchscreen mini computers as phones in a few years I wouldn't have believed you.. :)

First Tweet
I can't seem to find this info, apps and sites only let you find your first tweet if you have less than 3000 posts. I've been on twitter almost 5 years now, long time! :)

First Make up
Strangely enough I actually remember this. It was a tinted lip balm from Avon, a range called Little Blossom,it was aimed at little girls.. I found this image on Google, wow.. anyone else old enough to remember this?  

Credit:winona1124.tripod.com


Well that was my My First Time tag post. I tag the following 5 people, to do this tag post (if they wish!)

Emma at Not Your Average
Jaki at Stilettos, Stars & Rock n Roll
Helen at Candifloss Clouds
Shaz at A Pinch Of Shaz
Kate at Kate Bobbi


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Dear Carex...

Dear Carex,

I have a 9 year old son. I have spent years trying to get him to wash his hands properly. As soon as he was old enough to use the bathroom on his own and realise that nobody was there telling him to use hand wash, he'd constantly skip the soap and I'm forever sending him back into the bathroom when I've caught him out. Maybe it's laziness. Maybe it's a boy thing. Whatever it is, I was getting tired of repeating myself and sending him back to wash his hands properly every time he left the bathroom.

Credit:Pinterest


Until.. you AMAZING people you, introduced your new 'family favourites' range - of hand wash that smell of sweets. SWEETS!! Bradley is amazed. Soap that smells of sweets?! We picked up the Cola Bottles and Strawberry Laces bottles and he couldn't wait to get home and try them out. Now I can't get him out of the bathroom! He is now leaving the bathroom smelling of candy, and with clean hands. Every time. 
He now enjoys to grace my partner and I with the 'sniff test' when he leaves the bathroom. Lovely. But I'm now happy knowing that he has clean hands, that smell lovely, and are free of bacteria. And let's be honest, I'm loving smelling of cola bottles too! ;) We're already onto the next bottle, and I've since learned that there is also a Chocolate Orange one available too! Mmm!


Bradley says, 'I love them, I never used to wash my hands properly, now I'm always washing them with soap. I keep smelling my hands after. I love the smell, my favourite is cola!'


Thank you Carex, you little beauties!! Please please please continue to make these fantastic hand washes. My sons hand hygiene depends on it!! ;)

Many thanks, an extremely grateful Mummy..



Carex Family Favourites is currently available in supermarkets at approx £1.80.
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Monday, 2 September 2013

My name is Lianne.. And I am addicted to cosmetics.

There, I've said it!

I have a problem. I can't stop buying cosmetics. And I need to stop. I'm spending wayy too much money on beauty goods and I'm meant to be saving, hard. Oops.

This weekend I took Bradley into town to get his haircut. Just a hair cut. But it went a bit like this..

Bradley: 'Mummy, we're not doing anymore shopping are we? Just haircut and lunch?'
Me: 'No, just haircut and lunch.. Although I may pick up some new hair oil, my hair is a bit dry at the mo.. Ooh and let's just pop into Lush..'

And so it begins.
'Popping' into Lush is always a bad idea, especially with Bradley. I went in to pick up some 'Angels On Bare Skin', but Bradley was soon inspecting the bath bombs and shower jellies, and had soon fallen in love with the new FUN bath play dough. To be fair, they're an amazing invention for children. You can wash with them, they create bubbles, and you can mould it into models as it feels just like play dough. Fab! Before I knew it I'd picked up some toner water too, and a charity pot. 
Of course, I couldn't stop walking past MAC without nipping in to pick the new mascara up. Then into Superdrug for some hair oil.. oh and some intensive conditioner. And some more wax for Bradley's hair. And.. No, that was it. I think. ;)

Angels On Bare Skin fresh facial cleanser - £6.35
Charity Pot  hand & body lotion - £1
Breath Of Fresh Air toner water - £3.95
Fun orange bath play dough - £5.00
Dove Treatment Intense Mask - on offer at £1.97 (bargain!!)

So much for 'only a haircut!' 

So, there's only one thing for it. I'm going on a spending ban. NO MORE COSMETICS.. for a while. ;) I'm going to the Clothes Show later this year, so I've set myself a goal not to buy any more beauty goods until then. Keep an eye on my Wish List, me thinks it'll be getting bigger..

Wish me luck!! 

Oh.. and this doesn't include the Liz Earle goodies I have on order. Or the Avon order I've made.. hehe.

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