Barmy about books....

OK time for something a little different. As you can see from my profile I'm a complete bookworm. I love reading anything and everything, and I've never got my nose out of a book.....OK kindle (same thing right?) I figured why not share my reviews on the books that I'm reading? It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but maybe someone will find it interesting.

So my plan is, to find a book and start reading it on a Monday then write the review on a Sunday (along with my weekly faves post) I can't promise it will always be a Sunday that I post my review, because I don't always have all that much time to sit and read that much through the day with working and being the social flutterby that I am :P BUT I shall try my best to make it weekly.

This weeks book is:  Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

This got recommended to me on amazon after I'd bought 'Fifty shades of Grey' (I won't review that because I think there's about 1001 reviews already online!) so I read the description on amazon and thought I'd give it a read. 

Here's what amazon say:

'Suffering from Fifty Shades withdrawal symptoms? Then meet Travis…

Good Girl. Abby Abernathy doesn't drink or swear and she works hard. Abby believes she has created enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college, her dreams of a new beginning are quickly challenged by the university's walking one-night stand.

Bad Boy. Travis Maddox, handsome, built, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs - and wants - to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight club, and his days as the notorious college Lothario.

A disaster waiting to happen…

Intrigued by Abby's resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain celibate for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis' apartment for the same amount of time.

Or the start of something beautiful?

Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. Or that this is the start of an obsessive, intense relationship that will lead them both into unimaginable territory…'

Let's give it a whirl.....

S xx

Review: Collection lasting perfection ultimate wear foundation....

I've had this foundation for two weeks now and up until around a week ago, I really couldn't make my mind up about it at all. The first time I applied it I'll admit, I really didn't like it one little bit!

I bought this in 'Ivory' and was expecting it to be Ivory, and well it isn't. I usually use Revlon colorstay in '180 sand beige' which is a shade too dark for me (the next shade down is too light) and this collection foundation is a similar colour to the Revlon, with a slight orange tone to it.

It looks slightly lighter swatched on my hand      

Another thing that put me off this (Getting all the negative out of the way and making way for the positive :p) was the application. I always use my Real techniques stippling brush to apply my foundation, and I didn't find that it worked very well with this foundation as it did with my Revlon. The collection foundation says that it gives a flawless finish, however I didn't find that it did. My face looked patchy and not blended well at all.

I then decided that instead of giving up with this, I'd try out a few different ways to apply it and see if it made any difference at all:

Day one: With real techniques brush and without a primer (I stopped using a primer a while before this because I found that Lush's Enzymion moisturiser was great). I needed to keep powdering my face throughout the day, I didn't have a flawless finish and my foundation only lasted around 5 hours then started to look patchy

Day two: With my hands and Benefit's porefessional. I found this to be a better technique, it gave a better finish, more coverage and was quicker to apply and blend. The colour was still off, but after an hour or so the orangeness seemed to calm down and it suited my skin better. This time it lasted around 7 hours and didn't look as patchy as the day before. It did however disappear from my chin quite quickly, but I didn't look as dewy

Day three: With my flat top powder brush from e.l.f, benefit's porefessional and my urban decay 'de slick' spray. I found the e.l.f brush to allow the best application. This time I did have a flawless finish, better coverage and it lasted around 8 hours then started to fade. There was no patchiness and again I didn't notice any dewiness and didn't feel the need to reapply any powder through the day.

Day four: With my flat top powder brush from e.l.f and the No7 shine free primer. This is the best combo out of all four and is the one I use every day now. I'm going to do a separate review on the actual primer, but I will say it's amazing if you have oily skin. My skin looks flawless when I use the e.l.f brush and No7 primer together, I only used powder to set my make up in the morning without having to touch it up at all through the day, and my foundation stayed on for around 10 hours. This sealed the deal for me, and I now really enjoy using this foundation.

What is says on the bottle:

* Flawless finish

* Oil free

* Anti transfer

* SPF 20

* Fresh appearance for up to 16 hours

I agree with the oil free and flawless finish (when I found a way to make it work for me) Up to 16 hours I'm not so sure about, it didn't stay put for over 10 hours for me, and I found that it did transfer onto clothes every now and then.

The thing with make up (and skin care etc) is that different things work for different people. If you have oily skin, I'd say give this a shot. It's not expensive so if you find that it doesn't work for you then you haven't wasted a small fortune. I'd also say maybe try a shade lighter than you usually would buy, and try it out more than once if you don't like it after the first time. I didn't like this at first, 2 weeks later I'm loving it.

Have you tried this out? Does it work for you?

Thanks for reading :)

S xx

Weekly favourites....

It's time for my weekly faves again, and I thought I'd do it a bit different this week. On Monday morning I decided to pick out products to use all week (I think a lot of people call it 'shopping their stash') and then at the end of the week say which are my faves and which aren't. I'm also including anything else that I've been loving that wasn't in that make up bag. So here we go:

First up, face

* No7 shine free primer - I won't say too much about this because there's a review coming up, but this is now my favourite primer. It's matte and keeps my make up on longer than any other primer

* Collection lasting perfection concealer - This is a holy grail concealer for me, absolutely love it. Great coverage and staying power

* Collection lasting perfection ultimate wear foundation - Again I won't say too much about this either because there's a review coming up, but I was completely on the fence about this until this week. I've now found a way to make this work for me  and I love it

* 17 pressed powder - My favourite powder. I use this every day and won't be changing any time soon. It sets my foundation without making it look cakey, and keeps my face looking matte

Now eyes:

* Soap and glory 'it's about prime' - This primer is great to use with shimmery or pearl shadows. Especially the MUA I've been using this week

* Avon super enchant mascara - I love this mascara. Gives length, volume and separates. I've already reviewd it

* MUA extreme felt liner - This was in last weeks faves and I'm still loving it. I find it so easy to use now, and it's super pigmented and lasts all day with no smudging 

* MUA clear mascara - This is great for setting brows. It helps keep them in place all day

* MUA eyeshadow 'shade 1 ' - One of my favourite eye shadows to use. I love this all over the lid, as a highlight or in the inner tear duct area. I especially love pairing it with the color tattoo

* Maybelline color tattoo 'on and on bronze' - Probably the one thing I know I can reach for when I'm not sure what look I want. It's easy to apply and blend, has great pigmentation and staying power and doesn't crease

* e.l.f eyebrow kit - This is now the only eyebrow product I reach for (along with the clear mascara) I used to use the rimmel professional brow pencil, but this works so much better

Cheeks:

* Collection shimmer and shade 'just peachy' - This is my most reached for highlight. It gives a nice subtle highlight to the cheek bones, without a lot of shimmer

* e.l.f blush - This gives such a glowy look to the skin. The e.l.f blushes aren't all that pigmented, but they're buildable. I'd say, for me, this worked perfect as a contour/blush because of the colouring of this and my skin tone 

And lastly, lips:

* e.l.f hypershine gloss ' berry cherry' - This pairs up so well with the MUA lipstick. It's a little darker than the lipstick but looks so pretty. It's not too sticky and lasts pretty well too

* MUA lipstick 'bare' - This is such a pretty nude and perfect for any skintone. The staying power of the MUA lipsticks is amazing

All of these products worked really well together and I've loved the finished look

Random favourite: 

* Lavera wild rose eye gel - I got these samples in my latest in beauty box and I've been testing them out over the past week. I'm going to wait until I've used up all of the sachets to give a full review, but so far I'm loving this

What do you think of this type of favourites? I'm not sure if every week will be the same yet

Thanks for reading :)

S xx

Summer 2012....

Is anyone else like Monica from friends and just HAS to make list upon list of things that need to be done, or need to be bought? Come on own up I know it's not just me! I decided a few months back (along with my Cousin) that this is going to be a fun filled action packed summer.......we're now into August and it hasn't been any of those things due to lack of funds and the reliable British summer!! SO I sat the other day and made a 'summer to do' list, and I will follow through with each and every item on it!!

Without further ado and rambling here's my summer plans:

1 - Go to Edinburgh zoo. I've never been and always wanted to!

2 - Go to Drayton Manor. I'm THE biggest adrenaline junkie (and child) ever and love all the upside down and fast rides. I've been to a few theme parks but never this one

3 - Go camping. I'm probably the only person in the history of man kind to have never been camping!! This is a must this summer, even if it rains

4 - Go wine tasting. Another thing I've always wanted to do. My best friend said to me the other day all we need to do is get together, with a few bottles of wine and we're sorted haha Sounds like a plan to me :P

5 - Have a spa day. A day of relaxing, massages and getting pampered sounds like bliss if you ask me

6 - Go strawberry picking. I have no idea why this appeals to me as much as it does, but it just seems like so much fun!

*All pictures borrowed from google

Do you have any summer plans?

I'm thinking this lot may spill into the Autumn and the list will get longer haha

Thanks for reading :)

S xx

Review: Avon Super Enchant Mascara....

I showed this in my recent Avon haul and literally haven't put it down since I bought it.

I bought this for two reasons: because it was on sale (always down for a bargain) and because of the funky wand. I usually need to use something a few times before I know if I like a product, especially mascara because I like it to dry out a little. But this is a definite exception. A soon as I applied one coat my eyes were 'WOW' This lengthens, separates and gives volume. The size and shape of the wand makes sure that every single lash is coated.

What they say:

'Lightweight mascara for full looking lashes that feel soft-to-the touch. With 100% natural derived mineral pigments'

Do I agree:
Absolutely!! This is definitely getting repurchased when I run out. Unlike a lot if other mascara's I've tried, this stays soft once dried. Usually I find that once a mascara has dried (to the touch) it actually feels dry, but not this.

The lowdown:


* Cost - £8.99 (currently £2.99)
* 8ml
* Lengthens
* Adds volume
* Separates
* Soft to touch
* Doesn't flake

Have you tried any of the Avon mascara's?

Thanks for reading :)

S xx

Grab a bargain....

I've previously posted about the little goodies that you can find in 'The poundshop' and whist in there today (buying sweeties for the cinema *side note* you have to go see 'Ted') I spotted the mother of all bargains......Stila!!

They had an empty four pan palette with a big mirror. I don't have any Stila eyeshadows or any eyeshadows that would fit, but I love the size of the mirror inside (it's the same size as that inside the Fashionista palettes) And hey you never know, I might just pick up a few Stila shadows ;)

Next up, I noticed the 'oil-free sheer color tinted moisturiser' in '03light' I couldn't believe it when I spotted this! I'm not sure how much this actually retails for (I can't find it online) but I'm damn sure it ain't usually £1.00!!

This has:

* SPF 30

* 50ml of product

I think this could be better for the (very few) hot days that we're currently having, it seems pretty light in texture when I swatched it on my hand. I'll definitely give it a go and let ya'll know how I get on with it.

Have you tried the tinted moisturiser before?

Thanks for reading (keep your eyes peeled for those bargains)

S xx

Ombre nails....

I jumped on the (very late) bandwagon and decided to play about with some ombre nails. I've tried so many times and failed big time, they just never seemed to work out. So I checked out some youtube videos and found a great way to master them; using a triangle make up sponge.

All you do is paint your nails white (whichever nails you want to ombre) leave them to dry, then paint stripes of nail varnish onto a sponge, making sure the stripes are the right length and width to fit your nail. Then whilst the nail varnish on the sponge is still wet, press the sponge onto the desired nail and press down. And that's it, apply your top coat and you're ready to go.

Here's my first attempt using this technique:

And what I used:

* Barry M nail paint - Matte white

* Barry M nail paint - Bright purple

* e.l.f nail varnish - Gum pink

* e.l.f nail varnish - Mango madness

* Rimmel lasting finish - Sunshine

Have you got a different technique for ombre nails? Or have you tried this one too?

Thanks for reading :)

S xx