UK Magazine Freebies - July 2014


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Finally the month of magazine freebies I have been excited for! 

As you can see we are being thoroughly spoilt with Clinique freebies, plus a few other lovely free gifts from the top magazines that you can see below.

Glamour (£2.00)
Available Monday 7th July
Choice of  four Clinique minis - Chubby Stick in Super Strawberry, Chubby Stick in Woppin' Watermelon, High Impact Mascara & Dramatically Different Moisturising Lotion - together worth over £30!

Marie Claire (£3.80)
Available Thursday 3rd July
Choice of two Balance Me products - Cleanse & Smooth Face Balm 40ml & Moisture Rich Face Cream 25ml - together worth £25

Instyle (£3.90) 
 Available Thursday 3rd July
Neal's Yard Geranium & Orange Hand Cream 50ml - worth £10

Cosmo (£3.70)
Available Thursday 3rd July 
Choice of 3 New CID Lip & Cheek Tints (Plum Cordial, Strawberry Souffle and Rose Tint) or Black Mascara - worth £15 each.

A note on my phone has already been made for next Monday - them mini Clinique Chubby Sticks will be mine! 

Fee xo.  

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5 Beauty Products I Just Don't Get!

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Ever come across or tried a beauty product and just thought.... why? This happens to me quite often so I thought I would offload my inner grumblings onto your screen and share with you 5 beauty products I just cannot understand!

Nail Wraps 
I love the idea of nail wraps and all the designs available, but the reality is they just aren't practical or everyday friendly. I've tried many times to apply nail wraps and even when I apply them perfectly within the hour they are peeling away either at the sides or tips of the nails to reveal the sticky underside that attracts lint and general dirt (bluergh). Also when this happens, and it always does, don't even think about running your fingers through your hair as you will feel that annoying tug as the sticky underside of a peeling nail wrap latches onto a strand of hair! This also makes washing your hair a nightmare with a full set of slightly peeling nail wraps. I'd love to know if any of you have found a brand of nail wraps that doesn't do this! 

Stick-on Eyeliner Flicks
Another stick-on kinda product that just baffles me. Yes, I get that these are for people that can't apply liquid eyeliner all that well or for someone that wants a more dramatic look... but I really cannot see this working or feeling comfortable on the eyelids. 1. If you can master applying stickers that require to be perfectly in line with your lashline then you can master using a gel eyeliner pen 2. I can only imagine the stickers to feel like the worst tugging liquid liner (you know the kind, the liquid liner that starts to pull and feel strangely tight as it dries). Also eyes squint and crease if you are smiling or laughing and I can't see a sticker on your eyelids staying put. I think I'd prefer worn off eyeliner over a dangling down eyeliner sticker that resembles a spiders leg any day of the week?!

21st Century Mascara Wands
I'm holding Givenchy Phenomen Eyes Mascara fully responsible for this. Mascara wands now look more like mini torture devices than something that is meant to fit the natural curve of the lashes and go near the eye. It's like brands have realised that only so much can be developed with a mascara formula so have taken the easy (and cheaper) root of creating weirdly shaped wands to entice consumers. I've tried a few oddly shaped mascara wands now and none seem to perform any better due to their shape and are quite awkard if anything! A standard or curved wand will do me just fine.

Eyebrow Stencils 
I'm talking about those weird pieces of clear plastic that you are supposed to hold over your own eyebrows as you fill in your brows.  1. How awkward?! First you have to make sure you don't slip and move it slightly #monobrow 2. Surely it's better to follow your natural brow shape but tweak it slightly to get the shape you want? I've tried eyebrow stencils in the past but it's just way too much effort and never gives a natural look. I'd love to know if any of you use them to any success though!

Cuticle Nippers
Last but not least a device that makes my fingers recoil in horror. Mainly used in beauty salons, cuticle nippers or trimmers are used to remove the entire cuticle - Why? For a more aesthetic look apparently! Just typing that makes me cringe at the thought of having no cuticles. Looking at my own cuticles they are clearly a barrier between my nail and nail root and without them it would be a point of entry for bacteria that could lead to a nasty infection developing! Not only does this risk jump out at me when I see nails with the cuticles removes but I also don't think they look nice as the skin around the nails looks bigger without that bridge of a cuticle that also subtly frames the nails. As long as you keep your cuticles moisturised with either a hand cream or cuticle oil they should always look nice and you should never ever want to remove them! 

As I've ranted so much in this post, I'd love, love, love to hear what beauty products or trends you don't understand either! 

Fee xo. 

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Models Own New Summer 2014 Launches


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Models Own have recently launched a few new nail polishes just in time for summer. I personally love them all so thought I'd do a round-up style post and feature them all with nail swatches! 

First up we have two new summer appropriate nail polishes in the Fruit Pastel collection, an amazing multi-coloured dotty top coat and a handy Top Coat in the HyperGel range.

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HyperGel Top Coat 
£8.00 - Models Own website here 
First up an all new top coat from Models Own! I'm personally really pleased to see this as I've never got on with the original top coat from Models Own which seems to have a slight blue tone to it that alters the shade of any nail polish underneath (most noticeable with light nail polish shades). However so far with this new top coat I really can't fault it! As this is part of the HyperGel collection it is slightly thicker than a normal top coat but for that reason it reminds me of the consistency of Seche Vite. As you can see below with my nail swatch of MO Coconut Cream the top coat gives a lovely glossy finish and makes the polish appear thicker and gel-like.

My only negative would be the price tag as I feel it's slightly overpriced as  you can actually purchase Seche Vite for around £6!

Models_own_peach_melba_nail_swatches

Peach Melba Fruit Pastel Collection
£5.00 (95p p&p) - Amazon here
 Finally a creamy pastel tangerine shade. I've been after a shade like this for the longest time as is just such a lovely shade for summer on both the fingers and toes. This does have a peach scent but I do find it dwindles down to a more normal nail polish scent within a few hours of application. As for the formula this does take time to apply with 3 thin coats as if you just slap it on you can find yourself with gloopy nails that won't full dry! But as you can see if you stick to thin coats the finish is smooth and even. A great shade for summer especially against dark skin tones or if you have a tan!

Coconut Cream Fruit Pastel Collection
£5.00 (95p p&p) - Amazon here
 Coconut Cream is a slightly off-white with a punch of a scent! I love all white nails so was interested to try out a white nail polish that wasn't so bright however unless you compare the nails to a stark white piece of paper or a normal white nail polish you really can't notice a difference. So if you are after a white nail polish I'd suggest going for an opaque French Manicure White. However if you love scented nail polishes then this is the one to go for as oh my does this have a scent to it! This smells just like Malibu (which I love!) and is such a strong scent that you can really notice it throughout the day. Maybe not for everyone but this just makes me think of beach holidays! 

Models_own_microdots_nail _swatches

Microdots Top Coat 
£5.00 (95p p&p) - here 
Rainbow polka dots for the nails! To try this out I applied it over Peach Melba but this definitely would suit a lighter pastel shade or even a black a lot more. As you can see two coats of the multi-coloured matte dots gives good coverage yet doesn't make the nails look thick - always important. I feel this is just such a unique top coat for the high street (if you can find it in Boots) and one that almost gives the nails a slightly retro look somehow. Also I've been seriously mesmerised by the thousands of dots in the bottle! 

Models Own have been coming out with such great product this year. 

What do you love the look of here?

Fee xo.

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June Wish List


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As soon as summer comes along I seem to want everything that is hitting the shops!
  I also seem to have going on holiday on the brain at the moment.  So this is a mixture of products that I feel I very much need  and items that would be ideal to take on a beach holiday!

Mark Hill Anti-Humidity Spray 125ml
£5.99 - Boots here
Come summer I love to wear my hair down but mixed with heat it soon turns to one frizzy mess that I have no option but to throw up in to a bun. This is the first product I have seen focus on this problem and I can't wait to try it out to see if it makes a difference!

Victoria's Secret Coconut Passion Body Mist 250ml
£7.79 - Amazon here 
 I've heard so many great things about the VS Body Mists and finally I've found a bargain one that is ideal for summer. This seems to have so many great reviews on Amazon and at 250ml it's incredibly value for money.

Ole Henriksen Truth To Go Wipes 
£6.00 - Feel Unique here 
Hands down my favourite facial wipes. I never actually realised how enjoyable using face wipes could be until I tried these.The super orange-y scent is addictive and ideal for hot weather/summer. Perfect for freshening up and travelling. A must try if you are after some new face wipes or after some to take on holiday. 

Etude_house_cosmetic_bag_london 
Etude House 'Feel The World' Cosmetic Bag 
£12.97 (choice of 8) - eBay here 
For one person I have more than enough makeup bags but seriously I think I'm more in love with this range than my own glossy Ted Baker makeup bag?! If I were visiting any of the countries in the range I would 100% be purchasing one... though I still may end up treating myself to the 'Santorini' one as the illustration is just so beautiful and reminds me so much of being on holiday. Absolutely adore these.

Batiste Dry Shampoo XXL Volume 200ml 
Sale £3.00 - ASOS here 
Batiste is a hair staple for me so I'm always re-purchasing it, opting for the cherry scented one. However I always feel my hair lacks volume at the roots especially when it's not freshly washed so this seems ideal. Excited to try this out to see if it works! I'm also hoping Batiste will come out with a travel size of this as it would be such a handy thing to keep in my bag in summer.

Aloha Nail Decals 
£6.00 - ASOS here 
Finally simple nail transfers that can be sealed on the nail with a top coat! These are prefect for summer nails with flowers, cocktails and palm trees! I could see these looking amazing over any nail polish from the Models Own Polish For Tan collection or a super bright shade. There are 11 other themes here!

'I Am A Unicorn' Cushion 
£6.00 - Tesco in-store    
Isn't this amazing?! Tesco have some many amazing cushions in-store and online at the moment! But this has to be my favourite (or possibly this one... and I'm not even a cat lady). Tesco really have some great homeware pieces this summer!

What are you after buying this summer? 

Fee xo.

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Disliked Beauty Products #4


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When it comes to talking about products I haven't got on with I'm always in two minds about it. I feel it's balanced to mention products I dislike from time to time, but also I could be encouraging someone to avoid a product they could actually end up loving. 

So for that reason I have tried to select products that have a clear reason why I don't like them. From products that don't do what they claim, to ones that I feel are a waste of money.

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Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Facial Wipes 
After loving so many Yes To products I decided to give their cucumber facial wipes a go. Being 98% natural and claiming to be soothing I expecting to get on with them. To freshen up with they are fine but remove eye makeup with them and expect stingy eyes. I wondered if it was just me so I looked up reviews of these wipes and read so many comments on 'irritated/stinging eyes' after using the wipes. Not impressed from such natural seeming product! 

Benefit They're Real Mascara 
This is a mascara with so much hype around it, so I was pleased when I finally got to try it out. Yes, this does give lovely fanned out lengthened lashes but, arghhhh the brush?! I'm actually tempted to call it a torture device. With having fair eyelashes I have to make sure I wiggle the wand right at the base to ensure full coverage but the problem with this mascara is the brush is just too damn hard that it actually feels spiky and just plain ouchy! Also I feel the extra spiky end gets in the way as you apply the mascara, risking poking yourself in the eye. I've never had a similar problem and don't feel I have sensitive eyes. The brush just needs to be able less spiky and have more give/flexibility.

Seventeen Photo Flawless Primer 
 With discovering this has now been discontinued by Seventeen it seems a bit pointless rambling about it. So I will ramble about my dislike of rubbish silicone-based primers on the high street. Why do I dislike high street skin primers 9 times out of 10? Well they're just a bit 'meh'. They cover the skin in a oddly textured gel that gives a slightly-greasy feel, making foundation apply nicer but then you realise it doesn't smooth over imperfections or make makeup last any longer... in fact I sometimes feel like my foundation slips around more with a high street primer. I've long learnt to give high street face primers a miss.

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 Palmer's Strong Roots Spray 
 From time to time I like to try out unusual but still cheap haircare products. So when I came across the Palmer's Strong Roots Spray I was intrigued and thought it would be worth giving a try. The spray claims to moisturise the hair and scalp, freshens hair and soothes tightness and itching. Yes, this does feel nice on the scalp and I could see it soothing tightness or itching however unless you have very dry hair at the roots it will leave you with greasy looking hair. I have tried using this in different ways - using less and even spraying it onto my Tangle Teezer and pulling the brush through the roots of my hair but still it leaves my hair looking limp and flat. I also really can't see how this gives stronger roots other than energising the scalp a bit. Plus the coconut and mint scent is very overpowering and can be smelt even after drying your hair and throughout the day I've found!

Ciate Orange Chocolate Nail Polish Remover 
I love Ciate products, I really do. But I cannot lie and say there is a point to this product. I'm sure we can all agree that nail polish remover smells, some more than others, but such chemicals cannot be masked with another scent. Which is what Ciate have tried to do... and failed at. The typical nail polish remover scent is still there, heady and a cough-inducing if you inhale too much but then there's a whiff of an orange scent (the other scents in the range are the same). This just doesn't make the nail polish remover any nicer to use or worth the £10 price tag. A big thumbs down from me. 

You can find my previous disliked products here

Fee xo.
 
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Top 5 Budget Green Nail Polishes for Summer


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In summer green nail polishes wouldn't be my manicure colour of choice, however in recent years there have been some lovely green offerings that I couldn't resist picking up. 

Green nail polishes are now something I consider and view as a nice alternative from the super brights I love. Here are my top 5 green nail polishes that are all purse friendly at under £5. 

Green_nail_polishes

Maybelline Street Artist Top Coat "Alley Attitude" 
£3.99 - Superdrug here or Boots 
This isn't technically a green nail polish as the top coat is made up of turquoise and black matte glitter pieces but I feel this is the most perfect top coat for over any green nail polish.The top coat changes nails into something more interesting and unique. Definitely one of my most favourite matte glitter top coats.

Barry M Aquarium Nail Paint "Arabian" 
£3.99 - Boots here or Superdrug 
A beautiful duochrome here that's an amazing mixture of green and golden tones. Such a perfect nail polish colour to wear in summer as the light really reflects the nail polish, constantly giving different tones of green and gold.

W7 Sorbet Nail Polish "Pistachio"
£1.99 - Bodycare or W7 stand stockists  
W7 nail polishes may be over looked due to being a cheaper brand however I personally cannot fault them and highly recommend giving them a go if you spot a W7 stand. Pistachio is a lovely cream green that is neither too neutral or too bright with a super smooth finish. Just perfect.

green_nails 

Sinful Colours Glitter Nail Enamel "Nail Junkie"
£1.99 - Boots here 
A nail polish fit for a mermaid! This is possibly one of my favourite glitter top coats that transform nails into a beautiful sea of glistening blue and green tones. For a light shimmery jelly effect I like to apply two coats to bare nails however this truly comes to life when paired with a darker green base (nail swatch above).

 Models Own Polish for Tans "Flip Flop" 
£5.00 - Superdrug here or MO website
Models Own are great for bringing more unique shades to the high street and this is a perfect example. This acid lime green shade is an idesl nail polish to show off a tan but I can confirm that it also looks great against pale skin. Definitely one for fingers and toes on hot summer days! 

You can see the rest of my green nail polish collection here

What is your favourite nail polish colour to wear in summer? Mine has to be anything that glitters or any super bright pink. 

Fee xo. 

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The Summer Tag


Summer_beauty_tag 

Georgina from Makeup Pixi3 has gone and created yet another great tag! And because I love random rambly posts I thought I'd do it. It's also a nice opportunity to talk all thing summer - my favourite season after Christmas (which I've decided is a season in it's own right)!

 Hope you enjoy the tag and please feel free to answer the questions over on your blog if you have one... or just ramble to me about summer in the comments if not!

1.  What's your favourite thing about Summer?
It has to be the weather! Waking up and knowing it's going to be a warm day without a cloud in the sky! The sun shining is an instant happiness boost for me.

2.  Do you have a favourite Summer drink?
If it's a warm summers day and I'm in and out of the garden - reading and sunbathing generally, I like to make up a batch of Lipton Lemon Ice Tea in a big jug with ice and keep it in the fridge. If you are lucky and have a world food aisle in your local Tesco you should definitely try it! I also love making a fruit smoothie in the morning for breakfast and sitting in the garden to drink it.

3.  Is there a location you like to go to each Summer?
I love going to the beach in summer for a picnic/BBQ though it's always way more crowded than I imagine. But Barbecues in my garden is the thing I love the most! 
 
4.  Favourite makeup look for Summer?
I don't really change my makeup too much with each season. But for warm days I like to do a simple winged eye and a bold lip or stain depending on how warm it is. I discovered for hot days a good lip stain is my best friend for looking still made up even after my eyes have gone a little smudged. 

5.  Dresses or skirts?
Pretty summer dresses all the way! I love skirts with black tights in winter but as soon as summer comes along I love wearing comfortable above the knee dresses (mainly from Primark as they always have so many lovely ones).
 
6.  Sandals or ballet pumps?
Since discovering Melissa ballet pumps (which literally are indestructible and waterproof!) I wear them all year round - I have 6+ pairs now. So I continue to wear them come summer but I do love sandals especially with dresses and on holiday they are a must. 

7.  Do you prefer to wear your hair up or down for Summer?
Most days I'm lazy and stick my hair up in a high messy bun but if I take the time to straighten my hair or curl it with my Babyliss Conical Wand I do prefer how it looks. 

8.  Deep smokey eyes or bold lips?
I always find a bold lip much easier even if it takes some maintenance during the day. I also feel like I don't wear bold lipsticks enough any other part of the year so I love delving into my lipstick drawer and deciding what I'm going to use. I love both Kiko and Clarins for super pigmented but hydrating lipsticks!

9.  Favourite perfume for Summer?
I love, love, love wearing pretty floral and fruity perfumes in summer, even if the bees are attracted to me! My absolute favourite for the past two years has been Vera Wang Princess - such a creamy floral vanilla scent that is perfectly summery. 

10.  Last but not least, favourite music for Summer?
Ohh, this is a tough one as I don't really think my music tastes change throughout the year. If I'm in a super happy mood, which is generally when it's a sunny day and I'm getting ready, I listen to a 90's playlist on Spotify - Savage Garden, Green Day, Alanis Morissette etc! But it's generally what's in the charts... do the charts even exist these days? Currently loving Happy by Pharrell, All of Me by John Legend and anything by Bastille.

Hope you enjoyed my answers! If you want to do the tag you can use the above image I've created if you wish. 

Fee xo.

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Ciate Shell Manicure in Mermaid You Look


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For the past few years Ciate have been bringing out some amazing manicure kits that have impressed me. However I think I've finally been wow'd with their latest Shell Manicure Kits... I mean just look at that stunning bottle of crushed shells. 

The fairly new collection consists of 3 kits - Mermaid You Look (seen here), Wish Upon A Starfish (a pearl white iridescent manicure) and She Sells Sea Shells (a girly cream pink manicure). These can all be found on Look Fantastic here for £18.00 each.

The Ciate Shell Manicure Kit in Mermaid You Look contains 1 full size bottle of Ciate Pillow Fight (a beautiful creamy lilac grey), 1 full size bottle of pearlescent crushed shells, a handy metal funnel to place the excess crushed shells back into the bottle plus full instructions.

As soon as I saw how beautiful the crushed shell pieces were up close I decided to give it a go as I was eager to see how easy or difficult it would be and also how well the crushed shell would last on the nails. It's okay it looking pretty on the nails but if it doesn't last then what is the point? I very much feel like this with Caviar nail beads and nail wraps!

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Application
First up was applying Ciate Pillow Fight, a beautiful nail polish alone and one that is so easy to apply. I made sure to leave my ring finger nails until last as I wanted to pour the crushed shells onto wet polish so that they would adhere. As I didn't want to waste any of the crushed shells I placed the top plastic cover of the set under my nail which acted as a handy tray. I then poured the crushed shells over myentire  nail and carefully but firmly pressed the shell pieces on, also wiping over the tip of my nail to push any pieces down to give a smooth finish. 

 Results
Once I was sure the base nail polish was fully dry I then applied a clear top coat, which I was actually hesitant to do as I didn't want it changing the appearance of the crushed shell finish. However I needn't have worried as the shells almost seemed to absorb the top coat to still give a beautiful pearlescent but rough looking finish. As you can see the finish is pretty spectacular and due to how easy it was I would actually be tempted to do all my nails with the crushed shells for a special occasion. I'd also do this because it amazingly lasts so well on the nails.

But how well did it last?
 Unlike caviar beads the crushed shell lays so much flatter to the nail and doesn't get caught on anything. This really did surprise me as I was genuinely expecting the manicure to last 2 days at the most however I had to actually remove it after 5 days due to my nails growing out and developing that void between the nail polish and cuticle. As for removal, I won't lie... it was a god damn nightmare! However for the beautiful look it gave my nails it was worth it. 

I feel the 'Mermaid You Look' kit could be worn any time of year and look pretty but for super summery nails I would definitely go for She Sells Sea Shells which again comes with the most amazing bottle of crushed shells! 

What do you think of crushed shell nails - is it a yay or nay?

Fee xo. 

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Bargain Tesco Direct Beauty Haul - Everything Under £2!


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Every once in a while I like to have a look at Tesco Direct's Health & Beauty section online to see if there are any reduced products. Nine times out of ten there are! And I'm talking serious bargains that you don't feel an ounce of guilt for snapping up. 

This week I placed a small click & collect order (best way to save on delivery charges) that contained some amazing beauty bargains that I thought I'd share with you before they sell out! Also a selection of other products that caught my eye that are also under £2!

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Natio Mineral Lip Butter in Cheer 
£1.75 - here 
Natio products always seem to be heavily reduced on Tesco Direct, which is great for me as I love the brand! This lip butter comes in 4 different shades but I decided to go for the lightest nude option to tone down bright lipsticks. The pot is really compact making this a nice travel/handbag buy.

Kings and Queens Lemon Flower Body Butter 
£2.00 - here 
I had no need for another body butter but really couldn't resist at this price. The scent is quite neutral and honey smelling which I'm a bit indifferent to. But the feel of this is lovely on the skin and non-greasy.
 
Maybelline Color Sensational Popstick in Cherry Pop 
£1.80 - here   
My favourite bargain buy! I love translucent lip tints like this that just look so juicy and like Push Pops (anyone remember them?!) This also smells so fruity and has a lovely strawberry jam tint. Such a summery product! 

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 Kings and Queens Myrrh Body Milk £1.75 here, F&D Lipgloss in Bellini Crush 75p here, Invogue Pro Colour Nail Polish Set £2.00 here, Along Came Betty Nail Polish Duo £1.37 here, Natio Ultra Shiny Fruit Gloss in Melon £1.70 here, Natio Nail Colour in Fizz £1.60 here.

All the products above are amazing value for money. Would highly recommend the Invogue Nail Polish Trio which I already own, for the 'feather effect' nail polish alone (nail swatches here). Plus the F&F Lipgloss in Bellini Crush is a lovely shade for summer. I also forgot to mention that all Vintage Cosmetics False Eyelashes are only 75p here

Amazing, amazing bargains! 

Fee xo.

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5 Budget Korean Beauty Sets!


Korean_Beauty_sets_kits 

For the past year or so I've been in love with Korean beauty products! With quirky packaging, interesting ingredients and just something that bit different I'm always on the look out to try something new. 

Korean beauty gift sets aren't widely available but a great way to try out a range of products so I've scoured eBay and found 5 I'd love to try!

 Tonymoly Best Sellers Sample Kit 
£4.28 - eBay here 
Tonymoly was the first Korean brand I tried out and have constantly been impressed by. I love the look of this set which contains Luminous Goodness Aura BB Cream, Nutra-Energy 100 Hours Cream and Nutra-Energy Toner. A lovely trio of products to try out.

Etude House Juicy Cocktail Nail Polish Set 
£3.76 - eBay here 
A set of 3 pretty nail polishes here to create glittery gradient nails. I personally love the look of the 2 glitter top coats which I know I'd use with other base colours. 

Mizon Let Me Out Byebye Blackhead 3-Step Kit
£8.28 - eBay here 
This set is one of the reasons why I love Korean skin care as it just seems one step ahead. The Byebye Blackhead Kit is a 3-step system to clear out pores. First using a heated gel to open pores, next a clay based mask that you are able to peel off to remove blackheads and to finish a cooling serum to close pores. 

Skin79 BB Cream Miniature Set 
£4.29 - eBay here 
My favourite set that I'm sure I will end up buying. This contains four of the most popular Skin79 BB Creams that are all 5ml each - a generous amount for travelling with and fully trying out. I've heard a lot of great things about Skin79 BB Creams so I can see this being a great little set. 


Etude House Precious Mineral Magic Any Cushion Sample Kit 
£5.60 - eBay here  
This is a set that really interests me - 3 cushion-like cream products that aim to brighten, conceal and correct redness. All 3 products can be purchased at full size so this is a great way to see which you like the most/if you like the product at all. But I also feel for 3 base products this is great value for money especially being from Etude House.
 
 Have you tried out any Korean makeup brands? If so, which ones and what is your favourite brand?

Fee xo.

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First World Beauty Problems


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 First world problems, we all have them. Whether your iPhone won't let you take a photo because you've reached your storage capacity (possibly my current 1st world problem) or you're jealous of anyone watching a TV Show you've already completed (ahem, Breaking Bad).We all have an endless list.

So instead of boring you with my own, I thought I'd share a few beauty ones that I know some of you will be able to relate to!

Freshly painted nails + needing a wee = disaster

Never knowing how much YSL Touche Eclat you have left - damn you packaging. 

Freak occurrence of forgetting to apply mascara (I've decided this happens to everyone at least once in their lifetime). But only realising when you look in the mirror and can't figure out why you look a bit different! 

Applying a face mask (generally one with the appearance of mud) then having to answer the door to the postman! 

Just shaved legs + fake tan = disaster

Applying mascara and then sneezing... I do this often. 

Getting overzealous about new makeup and ending up looking like Aunt Sally.

Over applying hair oil on freshly washed damp hair resulting in greasy locks - forever doing this!

Wearing a bold lipstick then needing to eat. How do people do this?!

Lipgloss + long hair + windy day = FML 

These are just a few of my own that I could think of. I'd love to hear your own first world beauty problems! 

Fee xo.

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UK Magazine Freebies - June 2014


June_2014_UK_Magazine_Freebies

Summer is kinda here and magazine freebies are a-plenty!

 This month it's a nail polish addicts dreams with 3 magazines offering freebies from Ciate, Leighton Denny and Mavala. Plus there's also a skincare and beauty freebie!  
 
Instyle  (£3.90) 
Free REN Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser (30ml) with stay-warm cloth (full size 150ml worth £16.00).

 Red Magazine (£4.00)
Choice of 4 Mavala Nail Polishes (worth £4.30 each) - Waikiki Orange (cream coral orange), Moscow (classic red), Trinidad (royal blue) and Wichita (nude shade).


Marie Claire (on offer £2.50)
Choice of 6 Ciate Mini Caviar Manicure Kit (worth £10 each) - Sunset Shimmer (vivid orange, perfect for holiday nails), Fairy Dust (pastel lilac), Peach Fizz (peach-y gold), Party Punch (pink), Starry Night (pastel blue), Purple Rain (mauve purple).

Harper's Bazaar (£4.20) 
Choice of 6 full size Leighton Denny nail polishes (worth £11 each) - 3 Times A Lady (baby pink), Supermodel (nude brown), Viva La Diva (vivid cherry red - purrrfect for summer!), Best Seller (ruby shimmer), Plush Pink (vivid pink), Lollipop (fuchsia)

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Glamour Magazine (£2.00) 
 Choice of 2 Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliners (worth £12.00 each) - Black or Navy Blue.
Also next months Glamour has some amazing Clinique freebies... I'm talking mini Chubby Sticks! 

Highly recommend the Eyeko Liquid Eyeliner, such a great product and what a bargain! 

What will you be picking up this month? 

Fee xo.

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Holland and Barrett The Big Beauty Swap + My Favourite Picks!


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Over 3 years ago now I decided to go SLS-free, cutting out the harsh chemical I used in my shampoo, shower gel, face wash and even toothpaste! This marked a visible change in my overall skin health and from there I became more and more aware of harmful chemicals in the toiletries I use. 

As a full supporter of any brand that decides to promote avoid beauty nasties I was more than pleased to hear about Holland & Barratt's latest campaign - The Big Beauty Swap. Where you can save 25% off all natural beauty products and toiletries in-store and online here until 11th June. 

 For part of this campaign Holland & Barrett are encouraging customers to also swap their beauty products in-store for more natural alternatives at a discount. Simply take any old, empty or partly used harmful toiletries with you to be environmentally recycled!

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Holland and Barratt have a great selection of beauty products with some of my favourite natural/organic brands - Burts Bees, Yes To, Crazy Rumors and Dr Organic. Above are just a few of my favourite picks from the website and all at under £5 with the current 25% off offer! My absolute favourite picks being the Crazy Rumors Lipbalms in Lemonade and Bubble Gum at only £2.63 - bargain! 

This is a great time to pick up some new summer products and discover the benefits of cutting down on your chemical usage! 

If you also love your natural/organic beauty products I'd love to hear what your favourite brands are. 

Fee xo.

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Oh My Haul - May 2014


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Haul time again! 
I viewed May as a slim month for purchases but being a blogger, haul posts always tell a different story. Though when collecting everything together I realised how happy I was with everything I'd purchased over the past month.

May was a month of holiday buys, too many fragrance purchases, compulsory nail polishes and lots of random treats to myself - it was my birthday month after all. It also may just be me but come sunnier months my urge to buy new summer releases/products is a lot stronger!

Here are just a few things I bought in May...

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Technic Glitter Nail Polishes 
£1.99 each - Bodycare in-store 
If someone were to look at my nail polish collection and then see me purchasing more they would undoubtedly think I had a problem. In fact I'd be inclined to agree with them but when you step into a shop (Bodycare in this instance) and spot £1.99 glitter nail polishes that are as amazing as the ones above, my head and heart just can't say no! 

Above from left to right I have - Technic Miss Millie, Technic Money Bags and Technic The Blues. Also a sneaky £1 Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in Sandy Nude from Pound World. Love them all so much!

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Garnier Ultimate Blends The Silky Smoother 1 Minute Polishing Scrub 
£4.49 - Boots, Superdrug or Tesco 
More and more I'm seeing advanced haircare products... almost like BB Creams of the hair care world but Garnier Ultimate Blends is the first range on the high street to offer some interesting products like this. I was temped by the 7-in-1 Silky Dry Shampoo but then I spotted this and I had to give it a go. Only used the interesting scrub twice so far so can't give it a full review just yet but I was more than pleased with how soft it left my hair. A really interesting product!

Garnier Intensice 7 Day Body Lotion for Dry to Extra Dry Skin
On Offer £2.09 - Boots here
Generic body lotion purchase here that isn't all that interesting. I have more than enough dry oils and body butters so I thought I'd try out a new body lotion and as this was on offer I thought I'd give it a go. Love the shea butter scent and it seems to do the job. Not sure if it would cut it though for anyone with super dry skin.

L'Oreal Skin Perfection BB Cream in Fair 
On Offer £8.66 - Boots here 
I've been loving L'Oreal products lately so when I spotted a few new releases on offer in Boots I decided to give something new a go and of course it had to be the product with the pink ombre packaging! This is yet another BB Cream but actually I like it... like a lot. Doesn't give a huge deal of coverage but enough to blur out imperfections and evens out skin tone. Also the 'fair' shade is spot on for my pale skin, unlike a lot of BB Creams. Maybe not worth £12.99 but with a £4+ saving I'm pleased with it!

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Perfumes, Perfumes, Perfumes! 
Three new perfumes in one months seems a little excessive but I seem to go through phases of buying lots of one type of product and this month it seems to be scents! With summer just around the corner I'm into anything floral and couldn't be more pleased with my recent buys especially at the reduced priced I got them all at.

Vera Wang Princess EDT 100ml 
£24.65 - Amazon here 
Vera Wang Princess has been a summer favourite of mine for a good few years now but in my head I'd put it up there as being an expensive high end fragrance. So when I spotted a huge 100ml bottle on Amazon for only £25 I didn't hesitate to treat myself to it. I'm no expert when it comes to describing scents but to me this is a warm almost creamy fruity/floral perfume that is beyond perfect for summer.

Cavalli Just Cavailli 30ml 
£25.50 - Escentual here 
This was an on-holiday purchase for around 22 euros. After having a smell of this scent in Boots over a year ago now, it had been on my mental list of things to treat myself to, so when I spotted it in a little Spanish pharmacy I felt the time was right. I don't overly love the bottle but this seriously smells amazing and already I've had a few comments when wearing it.

Britney Spears Fantasy Circus 30ml 
£7.95 - Amazon here 
Having never smelt this specific Britney Spears perfume before it was very much an impulse buy but at such a great price I just couldn't resist. Like all Britney Spears perfumes this is youthful fruity floral that I can just spritz all over in summer. I will even confess that I love the ultra tacky bottle!

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Write it Down Notebook 
£4.00 - Homesense 
With already a million and one notebooks I definitely didn't need another but I love finding unique and pretty notebooks. Homesense is great for this along with all stationary. I plan to make this my new blogging book for post ideas and anything blog related I want to write down. 

The Night Rainbow by Claire King 
£1.95 - Amazon here
Most of my book purchases last month have been from charity shops but whilst browsing through Amazon I spotted this bargain paperback that I thought I'd give a try. This looks like a nice summer read with a child narrator - something I always enjoy.  

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Other little purchases...

Whilst on holiday I came across a little shop that sold semi-precious stones and crystals and instantly knew they would look perfect in my 'Little Things' Box (£6.99 - Homebase here). I still have a few more spaces to fill but absolutely love how it looks! I also picked up a lovely little trinket box from a local gift shop last weekend. It's only cardboard but I thought it would be nice to store bracelets in and display on a shelf. 

Also the bag you can see in this post is also a new purchase! Such an amazing holiday/beauty bag buy from ASOS for only £19.99 here

As always if you want to see a review or full post of anything here just let me know and I will bump it up my things-to-blog-about list!

Fee xo.

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