Sample Stash

- Vicki 9 Comments

It is amazing how many samples we accumulate, they come in beauty boxes, magazines and some shops do great Gift With Purchases and over the months before you know it you have a fair few hidden in drawers and tucked away here and there. So after gathering mine all together I am attempting to use them up before making any major product purchases. I think I have enough samples to keep me going for a good few weeks.

Sample Stash

I’ve had quite a few of these samples for a while, I always have good intentions of using them but what happens is – often whilst I’m out browsing the delights of Boots I seem to forget about my sample stash and buy lets say a moisturiser or a hand cream and get home to realise I didn’t need to buy one as I have lots of cute sample sized goodness in my drawer to use up.

I am looking forward to trying the Melvita Youthful Skin Cream and their Extraordinary Day Cream.  Both the samples I have are 15ml. The only product I’ve tried from Melvita is their Micellar Water and I liked that, it was very gentle but effective at removing my eye makeup. The Elemental Herbology Cell Plumping Facial Hydrator SPF8. I have heard some good things about this range. It smells really botanical and I like the packaging. I am planning on taking this on holiday with me next week and I am going somewhere hot and this sounds like it will keep my skin hydrated and they claim it ‘protects against environmental aggressors and the elements’ so I will let you know how I get on with it. This is also a 15ml sample.

Sample Stash 2

REN Skincare is a firm favourite amongst the blogging world and gets rave reviews. I am yet to try anything from them as I have always loved Origins skincare (and still do). But I think It’s about time I used up a few of these REN samples to see what all the fuss is about. So I have these 4 to try out – Vita Mineral Day Cream, Hydra Calm Global Protection Day Cream, Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream and the Bio Retnoid Anti Ageing Cream. It might take me a while to work my way through all these moisturiser samples but I think I am most excited to try the Anti Ageing Cream as it helps combat the signs of ageging whilst keeping your skin looking radiant. That sounds like a cream I could really use. All the REN samples I have are 15ml

Sample Stash 3

The Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream will be coming on the plane with me next week. I have started using this and love it. I know some people don’t like the smell of it and find it a little greasy but I like using it on my lips before I go to sleep. It really hydrates them and leaves them super soft. This is a perfect size for travel.

Bare Minerals Active Cell Renewal Night Serum this is only a 3ml sample, so It’s not really big enough to form an opinion but I like serums and anything that helps cell renewal is a winner in my book, I am hoping I get a few nights use from this. They say this will help your skin look ‘firmer, healthier and younger’.

No7 Protect and Perfect Hand Cream I have tried this and I don’t like them scent so think I will pass this on to my mum and hope she likes it more than I did.

I’ve now put them in a basket on top of my dresser and plan on making a real effort to work my through them. How do you store your samples so you use them? Have you bought the full size or tried any of these samples? I’d like to know how you got on with them, or if you would recommend any of them.

 

Grid of Makeup #2

- Vicki 5 Comments

I did a similar post a few months ago so thought it was about time I did another. After the last post I tried to reach for new products and really get the most out of my collection. Although looking at the photos now they are altogether I seem to have some firm favourites and products I wouldn’t have thought I reached for this often. But the proof is in the photo I guess.

Grid of Makeup

I tend not to wear any kind of vibrant lip during the day, I work from home and I like to do my makeup but I wear a very light coverage and tend to go quite neutral on the eye. Looking at the 12 images above I seem to reach for my Mac MSF in Natural alot, I like the finish this gives to my skin. It makes it look flawless and have nice glow. I’ve had this for about 2 years and it is lasting me well, I don’t apply too much as no one likes to have a powdery face. I do apply a few spritz of my Mac Fix + too and together they make a good combination. Where I can I like to purchase my Mac products at duty-free when I’m at the airport as every saving counts!

My Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit I have a love hate relationship with, I can only wear this when my under eye area is really hydrated as it creases like a bitch on me. I’m not sure if that’s due to my age or if i just have lots of fine lines. When this applies well it looks amazing but on the downside when it creases it looks terrible. I don’t think I will repurchase this when it run’s out. I like my Benefit Boiing a bit more and this also seems to last longer and crease less. The Boiing is also really good at hiding redness around my nose & chin too. I use the shade 02 light/medium.

My Wet N Wild Trio in Knock on Wood I seem to forget about this trio but when I do use it I fall in love with is all over again. The shadows are very pigmented and long wearing. The colours in this trio are s pretty and the brown shade is perfect in the crease or all over the lid on its own. I need to get a few more of these when I am in America as they come in so many different colour options. Do you have any recommendations?

I have been using the Pixi Illuminating Tint and Conceal base quite alot too, it gives a light coverage but it has a real glow it. It is the perfect product for those days where you just want a hint of colour and to even out your skin. I am loving Pixi products at the moment they seem to be right on the money. I have a post about this Tint & Conceal from last year, if you’s like to read it. I use the colour Light Glow which is the lightest shade.

Skincare

This second round of photos are mostly the skincare I have been reaching for – The Gliss Liquid Gloss Hair Repair Conditioner I purchased on a whim from Superdrug. I hadn’t seen any reviews so thought I’d give it a go. It is a spray leave in Conditioner that helps over treated hair. I spray this is my hair each time I wash it and it leaves my hair looking glossy and tames my frizz too. The bonus is that this leaves your hair smelling amazing too. This bottle has lasted me 6 months so far. I would recommend this 100% and will be repurchasing it as soon at it runs out.

No7 Anti Dark Spot Facial Sun Protection SPF50 – This is a repurchase for me & I buy it as we’re getting into summer with those No7 Vouchers (love them). I am heading to San Fransisco on June 3rd so this will be my facial sun screen. I like it and it is also good under my makeup. I get very oily and this doesn’t add to that or cause any extra oil. I like the high SPF as I have lots of freckles and quite fair skin on my face. I need protecting.

Garnier Summer Body is a great gradual tanner, this big bottle is from last year and is still half full. It applies really well & smells lovely, if you have exfoliated then you will get an even colour. You can build the colour up and it looks so natural I am a big fan of this as I hardly tan in the sun, my legs especially can use a bit of colour all year round and this is my go to.

Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Mask is my little slice of luxury. This is a calming mask and I use it when my skin is looking red and a little run down. It is soothing and cooling I just love using it. All Aesop skincare is amazing and if I won the lottery that is where I would spend my winnings. Their packaging is simple and sleek and they use all natural products. They get best skincare award from me. If you want to read my rave review of this you can do so here.

Have you used any of the products I’ve reached for? I think these posts are a nice way of seeing a glimpse of my collection and I get to see what gets love and what I neglect.

Pretty in Pink

- Vicki 1 Comment

I seem to always gravitate towards the same nail polishes and many go unloved. So I am trying to pick a new polish each time I paint my nails and this is my current choice.

Raspberry Crush

This Models Own Polish in Raspberry Crush £5 is a lovely Pink with a slightly red feel to it. It looks great on your toes too. These never last long on me and so I like to wear them with a glitter topcoat as you notice less when it chips.

Nail Polsh Trio

I love BarryM polishes and these two glitters are so pretty but very different. The first peachy pink is called Pink Iridescent. It  has small pink and silver flecks, they are so small and very glitzy. It looks very pretty over the top of Models Own Raspberry Crush. The other BarryM Glitter is alot more chunky and that means harder to remove too. This one is called Pink Sapphire and has light pink, dark pink and silver glitter.

Nail Polish

Nail Polish

In the end I wore the BarryM Pink Iridescent over my Models Own polish it makes a great summer combo. What have you been wearing on your nails lately? Do you have any summer polish recommendations?

Feeling Flushed

- Vicki 3 Comments

I had a look through my makeup collection and picked out some blushes / highlighters that will be perfect for summer. So here are my picks.

Summer Blush

MUA Shimmer Kisses Blush £3.00 for 7.3g – this blush quad is really pretty and can be used as a blush or a highlight. I tend to swirl my brush around and pick up all four colours. It’s a really soft pink and very easy to wear, it isn’t too dusty and I find it wears about 5 / 6 hours on me before the colour starts to fade. It has a slight shimmer to all the colours but nothing too over powering. This is also a great product to travel with as you can get alot of great blush shades from it and the packaging is quite slim and compact.

Me Me Me Shimmer Stack in Bronze £9.99 for 12g – This is very versatile and for £9.99 you get alot of product for your money. It comes with 5 shades from a cream, bronze, gold and a rose gold. They can be used individually and make lovely eyeshadows too. As a blush it gives the same look as Mac MSF in Soft and Gentle. It is very pretty and gives a lovely metallic shimmer, all shades are very pigmented. I’ve loved using this and would highly recommend it.

Topshop Highlighter in Sunbeam £10 for 6.5g – Wow this is a big highlighter and the packaging is so cute although it doesn’t have a mirror. It is a little bulky to travel with but I really like using it, mostly as a night-time highlight. On the top of the cheeks it leaves a very pretty sheen. It is gold and very pigmented so a word of warning, use with a light hand otherwise you will end up with far too much shimmer. This will last you forever so is very good value for money. I can’t see me ever finishing it.

Summer blush

e.l.f Baked Blush in Pinktastic £3.75 for 6g – I have some really fantastic e.l.f products in my collection and their baked blush & bronzers are some of my favourite. Amazing value for money and you get 6g of product. They are a little chalky but if you tap off the excess product you will be OK. This Pinktastic blush is a very subtle pink, I’d say it was more of a highlight than a blush but either way it gives your skin a healthy glow. I plan on taking this with me on holiday as its is quite small and compact.

Physicians Formula Happy Booster Blush in Rose $11.95 for 7g – This came in a beauty swap I did last year & I admit I wanted it solely for the packaging and the love heart detail looks so pretty. But all that aside it is the perfect touch of pink, great for summer. It isn’t the most pigmented product but it leaves you looking healthy and fresh-faced & not like you have overdone it. The down side to this is the packaging is a little clumpy and not great for travel but I love the blush.

Cute Blush for Summer

Benefit High Beam £19.50 for 13ml – I have both high beam & moon beam and love them both but if I had to pick just one then high beam would win. It is on the pricey side and I have seen a few people blog about great dupes but this 13ml bottle lasts forever. I have mixed it in to my foundation for a radiant all over glow (Only a drop needed) and it looks great on the cheek bone for a real beach look. I am a huge fan of this and wouldn’t be without it in my collection. It can make quite a subtle highlight if you dab it on lightly and when the light hits you just looks radiant and glowing. Very summery.

Avon 24k Golden Glamour Duo 8g – I can’t find this for sale online, I paid £6. I have spoken about this Avon blush and highlight duo on my blog quite a few times & if you want to see a swatch you can here. I love the blush part of this duo so much it’s quite a frosty pink and looks really pretty for day or night. The highlight shade is a creamy peach shade and just adds the right amount of glow to the tops of your cheeks. I often travel with this as it is two products in one & again you get 8g of product which will last you a long time. Pixiwoo have done a video using this blush here.

Mac MSF in Soft and Gentle £21.50 for 10g – I only bought this in December and so was massively late to the party. How I lived without this I will never know (bit dramatic). Pretty isn’t a good enough word to describe this but it just gives your face a fantastic glow. I need to be careful that I don’t apply too much around my outer eye / top of cheek area as it does gather in my fine lines ( I am 35 this year). I have used this non stop for 5 months and it looks like new, like I haven’t used it. This is one product where a little goes a long way. I love having it in my collection.

So they are my 8 cheek products for the summer. Looking at them now I seem to have an obsession with baked products, I do love them and how they look. Let me know If I have mentioned any of your favourites or if I have mentioned something you have never tried before.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend

Vicki x