Sunday Make up Shake Up #16

Afternoon lovelies, slightly different set up this week as I'm at home in Lincoln for a few more hours, but I wanted to get this post up before I set off back down south.

This week I'm mixing it up further, some of these have never graced the blog, even though their old products now!

Face:

- L'Oreal True Match Foundation (mixed with) Maybelline Superstay 24hr Foundation 

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

- Benefit Posie Tint

- Mac Mineralised Skinfinish in Medium Dark

Eyes

- Benefit Browzing

- Rimmel Scandeleyes Kohl in Nude

- MAC Eyeshadows - All That Glitters, Satin Taupe, Woodwinked, I can't remember the others!

- Maybelline The Rocket Volume Mascara

Not as many products this week as I'm feeling lazy! Have some new bits to play with so will post those soon!

Hope you've have a good week, what are your picks for the week? Xx

Insta-Review - Revenge Wears Prada

Finally, a chance to sit down & read! Feel like blogging stops me picking up an actual book sometimes, but when I saw this was released, I had to grab it.

As a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada,  Revenge Wears Prada joins Andy 10years later, following a 2yr period of her life where the 'Devil' steps back in unexpectedly, being back bad memories, old fears and tearing her life apart again.

I have so far loved all of the books written by Louise Weisberger, this being no exception.

Without the same fashion & beauty input as the original, it still kept me reading with lots of different surprises thrown in throughout. It's hard to imagine the characters without referring to the film - but it fills in the gaps nicely.

Do I want this made into a film...not really, it works much better on paper but a great read for a sunny day!

What do you think? Have you read this or any others yet? Xx

Review - Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

This purchase I blame Zoe from Zoella for. I remember watching one of her videos where she raved about Sugar Crush, and the way she described it made pop it on the wishlist. 

Many months later when I needed a new exfoliator I picked it up, and its now love. Some days I don't know whether to eat this or scrub myself with it, it smells amazing!

Sugar Crush is a thick paste made up of Brown Sugar & Macadamia Grains that really work to slough off dead skin cells and fake tan quickly. This added to the Sweet Lime & Almond oil makes it smell so lush, I want to eat it! It smells like a tropical island in a pot.  

I'm racing through this massive pot but I've picked up another as their always on offer.

This product will live in my bathroom for many moons, out of all the Soap & Glory scrubs, this is one of my favourites :)

What do you think? Have you tried Sugar Crush? xx

Wobble-Less Wednesday - Shock Absorber Ultimate Gym Bra

There are a few things which are an essential in my gym bag. but number one at the top of the list is a decent sports bra. 

When I needed a new one, I turned to my favouite brand & picked the Ultimate Gym Bra from Shock Absorber.

Designed for a wide range of activities, this bra is amazingly comfortable and secure. It has a dual layer, the inner layer supports the boobs, reducing the amount of movement that there is, without flattening them down and giving you the monoboob look. The outer layer is lovely & smooth, however I've not quite worked out why I need an outerlayer, other then it looks quite stylish. 

On the back you get a secure chest band with hook & eye clips, as well as a higher clip that just secures the whole thing, stopping it move too much. The shoulder straps are nice & wide, non-slip and you can change the length of them if needed. It comes is bra sizes which is helpful, however I went a cup size down then my normal and it fits perfectly.

If that wasnt enough, there is a handy cable clip for your headphone cable.

If like me, you have DD+ sized boobs then it is essential that you have a really well fitting sports bra, our boobs move in a figure of 8 motion, which weakens the connective tissues leading to droopy boobs - one that can't be fixed with exercise :(

The Ultimate Gym Bra retails for £37.00, but you can pick it up for £28.00 from my favourite shop - SportsBraBar.com. I now have two of these, it has replaced all the other ones I have had previously and I won't look back.

What do you think? Have you tried anything from Shock Absorber? DO you want droopy boobies? xx

NOTD - Barry M Colour Change Chameleon Lilac

For some reason, there are some nail trends that are a hit with the blogosphere and others which seem to remain a bit off the mark. I have no idea why, but for some reason some trends are not meant to be.

One such nail trend is colour changing or chameleon nails. I've only seen this from the best brand for nail trends Barry M. 

I picked up Lilac (surprise, its purple!) which is a gorgeous silvery metallic purple. On its own, its a great colour, a perfect dupe for Essie's Nothing Else Metals. This was opaque in one coat, perfectly smooth and lovely. To make the colour change, you simply needed to add a clear top coat. Given time to dry, this changes the colour to a darker purple.

I love the idea that you can make all sorts of different designs, it was so easy to do, just need a clear polish nail art pen to do designs! 

For £3.99, this is a fun product, something that reminds me what I would have used as a kid! 

What do you think? A fun trend or a flop? xx

Sunday Makeup Shake Up #15

15th Shake up of Make Up - 3 more & its the summer holidays! I can't wait, its all getting a tad stressful at school now!

Oh well, on to the makeup:

Face:

- Maybelline Superstay 24Hr foundation

- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

- MAC Mineralise Skinfinish in Medium Deep (Contour)

- MUA Blusher in Marshmallow

Eyes & Lips:

- Benefit Browzing

- Lemon Aid

- Nars EAGE

- Rimmel Kohl Liner

- Maybelline Colossal Volume Express

- Revlon Lip Butter Cotton Candy

I think this is the least Benefit products I've picked, I'm trying to use up lots of different bits from my stash - I've reduced quite a lot but still have a long way to go!

Heyho, another weekend done. How's your weekend been? What bits are you reaching for this week? xx

Wobble-Less Wednesday - The not-quite Eating Disorder

Hi lovelies, this is a post I've toyed with writing for a long time, but recently I've felt I'm able to post it.

We are all aware of the most common eating disorders, we see images of anorexic people, hear stories of people who have struggled with bulimia, watch program's about people who are always battling, but what about those who have a not-quite eating disorder.

I struggle with food. I love food, I love eating food, there's not much I don't like. The problem I have with food is that some days it feels I'm in a constant battle with it, I joke that just looking at food adds those pounds to my bottom but its how I've felt for a long time.

I know how to lose weight. Eat less & Move more. It's that simple. I know that when I exercise I can eat what I want. I understand about what I need to put into my body, and how it works. I know I need to fuel it correctly so that I'm able to work out. I love reading fitness magazines, really enjoy being at the gym with my group of fitness friends, feel so comfy in my fitness clothing, yet 2 weeks ago I realised something.

I had only eaten 2 evening meals a week for the last 10 weeks, yet I was burning 800+ calories a night at the gym. All of this was being done on only 600calories a day. Plus, I hadn't lost any weight in months, as at the weekend I would binge on high calorie food choices.

I was scared of eating in the evening after the gym as in my head it would all get turned to fat & stored on my bum. I literally felt sick at the thought of eating, yet I would watch my boy tuck into a plate of food, ignoring the rumble of my own tummy.
I know this isn't healthy, but it was what I did. I know loads of women who do this, avoid food but workout like hell. It's a horrible cycle, starve in the week and binge on the weekend. It's not as severe as the 'mainstream' eating disorders but it is still a problem.

2weeks on I'm re-educating myself on food & exercise. I'm not simply cured, I still have to think about what I eat and remind myself it's ok. Some days I don't want to eat, when I'm having fat days its worse, but I'm moving forward.
I've stopped following weight watchers as it felt like the app punished me if I over ate my points that day, instead I'm using Myfitnesspal to track calories which is much better for me mentally.

Just because your not being sick or stick thin doesn't mean you don't have a problem, I didn't think I did but now I can see I was on a slippery slope. I would love to know what you think on this? Do you think it's possible to have a not quite disorder? What are your experiences? Xx

Insta-Review - L'Oreal Ever Riche Shampoo

I thought I would start doing Instant reviews of samples as I seem to collect them but use them & never review as its such a small amount! So a short review is what I need!

First up I have a Ever Riche Shampoo from L'Oreal. Advertised for very dry hair,  to help nourish and protect against further dryness & damage.

It was a nice, thick consistency which was a treat, plus it foamed up well - a surprise as its sulphate free!

It left my hair feeling & smelling very soft and shiny.

+ Foamed up well, smelt awesome, my hair felt great

- None in the little amount I used

Purchase? Yup, I will when my stash runs out. 

£5.99 for 250ml

Have you tried this? What do you think of my Insta-Review series? Xx

NOTD - Barry M Gelly Hi- Shine Papaya

As its June, I refuse to go back to dark, winter colours on my nails, so even though the sun isn't out, I'm still wearing summer colours. This weekend I've been sorting through my colours & realised I don't have many coral colours. - I prefer them for toes then fingers & who buys a polish just for their toes?!

(with flash)

Papaya is from the Barry M Hi-Shine range. It's a lovely red toned coral, which I'm quite surprised suits my normally lobster link paws.

(without flash) 

Like the other polishes in the Barry M Hi-Shine range, this is super glossy, applies opaque in two coats and dries fairly quickly. My only issue with this is that it bubbled because it dried so quickly, next time I might layer it with some Seche Vite.

A nice colour for on the toes, it's not one I would normally wear on my fingers so I'm still searching for that coral that changes my mind.

What do you think? Coral on fingers or toes? Xx

Sunday Make-Up Shake Up #14

Come back summer!! I've had a clear out this week and picked out some bits I haven't used for a while as well as throwing out some rather smelly products - I almost felt sick throwing away half a bottle of MAC Face & Body, but it had to go.

Onto this week's

 choices;

Face:

- Benefit You're Bluffing (nearly finished, I'm digging product out now!)

- 17 Photoflawless Primer

- Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser

- Benefit Erase Paste

- MAC Natural Skin Finish in Medium Plus

Eyes, Cheeks & Lips

- Benefit Lemon Aid

- Benefit Browzing

- Bobbi Brown Gel Liner

- Rimmel Eyeshadow

-Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara

- Models Own Volumising Big Brush Mascara

- Sleek Blush in Rosé Gold

- Soap & Glory Mighty Mouth

I haven't used some of these products for ages, it's nice to revisit some old favourites as well as use up some that have been hanging around for a while.

What have you picked for your week in makeup? Xx

The Summer Bucket List

(WeHeartIt.com)

The Summer Holidays are so close at the moment, 6 weeks & counting, or 30 school days as my class are telling me (some are even counting down in lessons!) 

With that in mind, I decided I needed to make a plan as every summer I spend those 6 weeks doing nothing except school work for the next year or sleeping - see, not the glamorous life most people think us teacher lead! So, I'm on the hunt for things to do over those 6 weeks that will keep me entertained!

So on my Bucket list is:

- Go to a Theme Park 

- Go away for the weekend

- Spend the day in another city

- Be a tourist in London (Tour Bus of the sights!)

- Go to the beach

- Meet up with some other bloggers

- Have a picnic

- Visit a Museum 
- Visit an outdoor Lido
- Have a BBQ on a beach
- Watch the sunset in the country
- Have a water fight
- Wander around London, just me & my camera
- Take a photography course in London (Walking Tour)
- Toast Marshmallows over a BBQ or bonfire

I can't think of anymore at the moment, but I think most of these will keep me busy! 

What things have you got planned for your summer? 

NOTD - Models Own Ice Neon - Pukka Purple

Some more fleeting glimpses at the summer, when will this end?! Anywhoo, to bring back the summer I thought it was about time to rock some of the Models Own Ice Neon collection that has been living in my fridge recently!

Starting off I've been wearing Pukka Purple. To me, this is not neon, this is a gorgeous, creamy blue toned purple. Its so nice to have a true purple. I think because this was meant to be part of a 'Neon' collection, I was expecting something really bright, but I'm not disappointed - its gawgus! 

The formula is easy to work with, opaque in two coats, plus it has a semi-matte finish but a glossy topcoat will transform this. Lasting power was about 3 days with a base coat and topcoat.

This now lives in my fridge along with the rest of the range to keep it nice & bright. For £5, another great colour from Models Own.

Have you picked this up? What other colours have you tried? xx

Sunday Make-up Shake up #13

Another week, another round of old favourites, some of these haven't been used for a few months, maybe even longer! But that's the whole point of this, I've fallen back in love with a lot of these again.

Face:

- 17 Photo flawless Primer

- Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser

- Benefit Erase Paste

- Bobbi Brown Concealer

- Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

-Benefit Dallas Blush Box

-MUA Blusher

Eyes 

- Urban Decay Naked Palette

-Benefit They're Real Mascara

- 17 Photo Flawless Eyeliner

-Benefit Lemon Aid

Lots of easy, quick products this week, my skins playing up a tad, but I don't want to cover with lots of foundation so its nice to re-discover Laura Mercier Tinted, plus Erase Paste gives just enough coverage for where I need it!


If there's anything you want a full review on then let me know! What's in your makeup bag this week? xx

NOTD - Models Own Beach Party

Come back summer, all is forgiven! 

In a bid to encourage the sun back, I've been cracking out some of the sunniest polishes I have in my collection, and they don't come more sunny then this!

Models Own Beach Party was part of the Hed Kandi collection released last year - a year already! A gorgeous, neon orange similar to the sky at night when the sun is setting in Ibiza.

A gorgeous, creamy formula, this was a dream to work with, opaque in two coats. I often have this as a base for 1 of the many glitter top coats that I have, especially the latest speckled trend with the black discs.

For £5, this should be part of your summer collection, essential for long hot sunny days! Love It!!!!

What do you think? Do you love bright colours for summer? xx

Sunday Make-up Shake up #12

Well hello Sunshine!! It's so nice to see the sun back out, so I've picked lots of bits to bring some summer to my life, especially now its only 7 weeks until the summer holidays :)

Anywhoo, onto the makeup:

Face:

- Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation in I'm Pure 4 Ivory

- Benefit Fake Up Concealer in Light

- Benefit Hello Flawless Powder

- Benefit You're Bluffin

- MUA Blusher (Review Coming Soon)

- Mac Harmony (Contour)

- Benefit High Beam

Eyes & Lips:

- Sleek Storm Palette

- Benefit Gloss

- Sleek Pout Polish

- Benefit Lemon Aid

- 17 Blow Out Mascara

- 17 Maximum Volume

Lots of bits that I haven't touched for ages, as well as some new bits!

What are you grabbing for this week? Are loving the sun? xx

Summer Ready - Dove Summer Glow

The sun may be teasing us at the moment, but the time has come for the Primark Wooly tights to go away and to gradually reduce the denier over the coming months. To do this without scaring the general public, I need to start slapping on the Fake Tan.

Here's the problem; I am awful at applying fake tan - think a patchy, overly orange extra from TOWIE then thats me - waves. So to be safe, I start off using body lotions to start building up some colour.

Dove make some great body lotions and this one is very nice. Very moisturing, this is a thick and creamy lotion that doesn't take too long to dry.

I've used this for a couple of weeks and it does build a nice golden colour, not too obvious, very natural looking.

However, there are two down sides, one may be my fault and the other is the product. Every time I use this, I end up with orange ankles, the product seems to take better here so I need to work more on my application skills! The second problem is the tell tale biscuit smell. This smells of biscuit once dry, especially when I get a tad warm - a child in my class even commented that he could smell digestives for some reason - I quickly ran away!

For £4.99,  its a good lotion. I do like using it, and will continue to until my holiday!

I need help - fake tanning tips please? Any other lotions I should try?