Goodie bag and box contents // South East Meet-up



So as I mentioned in my last post we all swapped beauty boxes at the meet-up, and my box was from the lovely Aileen. She put hers in a lovely gift bag with some pretty tissue paper and goodies inside. She was so generous and got me the Sleek 'oh so special' palette, a beauty uk blush, a baby lips electro, a beauty uk nail varnish and a soap glory righteous butter. I can't wait to try all these products (I already have the nail varnish on my nails its so pretty!) 

We were also given an amazing amount of beauty and food treats in a goodie bag, organised by Aileen and Lottie. Of course I was overwhelmed and didn't expect anything from the meet-up. (meeting everyone was lovely enough) I don't even know where to begin there were so many things. I'm also quite nosy so I thought you guyzz might be interested in what I got given. 

rotating from left to right// an elf gift voucher, face mask, pukka green teas, liz earl perfume sample, liz earl botanical conditioner, liz earl foot cream, lollitint sample, urban veda day cream, some sweet treats (which included hotel chocolat but thats already gone aha!), nail polishes in million stars, burgundy and red and a lovely note from the two girls. 

If you've ever considered going to a meet-up, do it! Its really worth it. I just wanted to say thank you to both the girls again (explosion overload of thank you's but worth it!)

Solar Powder - Soap and Glory

Soap and Glory is a brand that really intrigues me, no idea why! But they are so well known for the body and bath essentials I haven't really paid much attention to the make-up. This little bronzer however came to my notice when sooooo many people started raving about it. I just had to buy it.  The Solar Powder is a duo bronzer (one side being matte and the other a slight shimmer) which can be used for the perfect sun kissed look.

 

I do really like this bronzer it isn't too muddy or too pale either. It does work perfectly which is all a gal needs, however it doesn't wow me. You know when you want a product to work wonders and you expect a lot, well I wasn't overwhelmed. Yes, it did work but it didn't make me jump off my seat in excitement as if I'd found the new wonder product! Will I buy it again? Probably but was it the perfect bronzer? Probably not. (Aside from that little negative) I do really enjoy using this product and hey maybe I'll like it the more I use it!

 

(I also really like the packaging, something about it reminds me of Benefit!) Are you interested in getting this bronzer? 

a little link' here

 

overall:

pigmentation// 4.5/5

packaging// 4.5// 5

wow factor// 3.5//5



 

My new scent // daisy dream

Howdy 'all, I think everyone's been spotting this pretty bottle in perfume shops lately and I was itching to get my hands on it. Especially with the promise of blackberry, fresh grapefruit and succulent pear notes (which sounds delicious enough to eat!)

 

I picked the 100ml's up in duty free as it was a cheaper deal and of course that made me want it even more! Its perfect for the Summer and I certainly wasn't disappointed by the scent. So not only do you get a pretty bottle with a dreamy blue liquid- skies and dreams and all that jazz- but you also get a beautiful fresh scent. (It also sits quite nicely on my dressing table- maybe a contributing factor) Its my newest and also my most favourite scent from Marc Jacobs. Do you think you'll snatch this perfume up?

(a little link' here)

general overview//

• scent 4.5/5
• bottle 5/5
• longevity 3.5/5

travelling 101- make up

ted baker make up bag £22

Guess who's back? back again. I'm really sorry for not posting in so long but should be back now as all my exams are over! exciting stuff woo! 

So I recently bought a new make up bag from Ted Baker which is super duper pretty (and pink of course!) which was a small post-exam treat especially as it was in the sale so that's a bonus. I'm going to Portugal in July and I thought I would show you some of the things I plan to take with me. My They're Real Mascara which has always been a firm fav. The Mac Paint Pot in Painterly, perfect as a base. The Sleek Contour Kit which is the perfect contouring essential. The NYX blush in Angel, a beautiful shade as the name suggests. Finally the perfect face combo the Nivea Primer and the YSL Touche Eclat. 

Are you going on holiday this year?...

thanks for reading

pastels- spring ready!

 

Spring is officially here which means its closer to Summer (and sun and all things hot!) I thought I would show you some nail polish picks for Spring which are my personal favourites. I love nail polishes as they can brighten up an outfit and make you look alot more tanned than you actually are. I have built up a list of my spring nail picks, items that I love. (L-R Essie- Mint Candy Apple, Barry M- Lychee, Models Own- Blueberry Muffin, Essie- Bikini so Teeny)

decorating | tips and tricks

I love my room and love finding ways to decorate and de-clutter make-up, accessories and random clutter. I know everyone loves to store their things in different ways but I thought I would show you some of the ways I store my make-up, beauty tools and accessories. Something which I got recently was this beautiful glass box from Next Home. I have the infamous Malm Dressing Table but as a ridiculous make-up collector I needed more storage. I would like to eventually get the acrylic storage from Muji to stack below this but I absolutely loved this box. I'm not exaggerating when I said I wanted a box that looked EXACTLY like this. You know you have that image in your head and you won't buy it until you find it, well this was one of these moments. I chose the prettiest make-up to put in here (I like things to look nice) and then it sits perfectly on my dressing table! 

Something which is featured heavily on Instagram and you have probably already seen are the Ikea Flower Pots. The reason why everyone talks about them is that they are so inexpensive and are literally only £2! They are perfect for holding make-up brushes (I spot Real Techniques here!) and if you run out of space you can easily just buy and fill another pot. I also use this for storing stationary. 

I originally used this to store my make-up but buying the beautiful glass box I switched to having this hold Nail Varnishes. I don't have a ridiculous amount (I'd say not too many) so its perfect for all holding all my nail varnishes. I got this from The Range which is similar to Dunem Mill where you can buy accessories for the bedroom, bathroom and living room. It has a draw which I use for holding cotton pads, cotton buds and small samples which I haven't used yet. It has a beautiful intricate rose pattern on the top of the box and is very sturdy. 

Finally I have a cake stand which I actually surprisingly don't use for cakes! I'm sorry but I don't know where this is from but I use this to hold my bath lotions, scrubs,creams and bath bombs. (My Magic Wand from Christmas is still holding strong!) I think they are perfect cute accessories especially with the bird design around the outside of the two tiers. 

Do you have any room decoration tips?

Thank you for reading,

Olivia x

Naked 3 Palette First Impressions

I didn't need it but its difficult to walk past the Urban Decay stand let alone the whole of the beauty department in Debenhams. I didn't need this palette in any way shape or form as I already have the Basics and first Naked palette, I think I have officially exceeded my limits with eye shadows but that will not stop me. I had never been wowed by the Naked 2 palette so I was over the moon to see a new release around Christmas time however I waited patiently until I could finally get hold of this beauty. This won't be a review as such as I have barely had it five minutes however I can say I am already in love. Like always Urban Decay are spot on with their shades and packaging, this palette has my name all over it.

Each of the Naked palettes come with twelve shades besides the basics which comes with a compact six shades. You can read a review here. Although these palettes may seem expensive for £37, compared to the likes of Mac and Nars eye shadows this palette is a great investment. The Naked one palette has a range of warm toned shades, the Naked two palette has a range of cool toned shades and the Naked three a range of pink toned shades. I am glad they took a different route with this third installment, although the shades are still natural its different from your usual brown or champagne colour. I really have no negatives about this palette so far, the shades are beautiful, buttery and slide onto the lid so easily. I can't wait to use these shades over the Spring and Summer months.

The palette also comes with a doubled ended shadow and blending brush which is definitely a step up from the brush given in the first Naked palette. Not only do I love the quality of this brush and find it usable, I also love the rose gold packaging and the fact you can see the colour build up on the brush- I don't like black make up brushes. 

Strange- A very light pink (matte shade)- a very pigmented shade perfect for highlighting the brow bone and inner corners- I think prefer Virgin though. 

Dust - Light metallic pink (metallic) - This shade is definitely the most beautiful out of the palette however I am a little worried about how this will apply as its so glittery I think I will have to be aware of fallout. 

Burnout - A peachy pink (satin) - smooth, soft with great colour pay off.

Limit - Pale dusty rose (matte) - A beautiful sophisticated shade. Could be used as a gentle wash of colour all over the lid. 

Buzz - A light rose gold (metallic) - silky soft with brilliant colour pay off so the glitter doesn't seem as intense as Dust so probably a easy out the door shade. 

Trick - Warm pink peach (metallic) - a beautiful shade perfect for a night or perhaps just all over the lid during the day time. 

Nooner - Medium pink brown (matte) - I have no clue what Nooner means but besides that factor this is a beautiful matte shade which has great pigmentation and could be applied to the crease or outer v. 

Liar - Cool toned rose gold (metallic) 

Factory - Light toned mauve (shimmer) - Similar to Liar, a less intense shade perfect for the crease. 

Mugshot - Metallic taupe (metallic) - This shade is silky and soft however I am not keen on grey and taupe shades so this is a colour unfortunately which will stay unloved. 

Darkside - Deepest taupe (matte) - Perhaps not as pigmented as the other matte shades within the palette however beautiful never the less. 

Blackheart - Almost black with red glitter accents (glitter) - Suprisingly I absoutley adore this a great alternative to a usual black shade. I love applying this to the outer corner of my eye and blending with a shadow brush. 

The palette also comes with four primer potions in formulas: Anti Aging, Eden, Original and Sin. Sin has a shimmery bronze formula, Eden has a nude matte formula and of course the other two are pretty explicitly explained by their names. 

So sorry to compile another Naked 3 palette review however I love reading these especially as some people like the advice on which palette to get. I recommend this one out of the three, definitely my favourite. Do you own this or plan to buy it soon?

Comment down below 

Thanks for reading,

Olivia x

Mac Pigment in 'Vanilla'

Something which I never payed attention to from Mac was the pigments. However towards the end of last year I started to notice more and more people talk about these little pots of heaven and couldn't resist. I know in the past these pigments use to come in a larger size however I really don't think I need any more product as there is literally so much to use its bound to last a lifetime. So in September I decided to pick up the shade Vanilla. This was a tough decision as they offer so many different shades, I have my eye on Tan and Naked as well which are more towards the bronze/ gold end of the spectrum. I love the fact that these pigments are so multifunctional, you can use them as highlighters and eye shadows depending of course on the choice of colour.

A pigment is a highly concentrated loose colour powder to help adhere to the skin. They can be used to create a subtle wash of colour or a dramatic effect. These pigments supposedly do not streak or cake and are long- lasting and easy to blend.  This is the first ever pigment I have tried and found out I have definitely been converted. They are not at all cakey and almost give the appearance that your skin has a natural glow. I find it easiest to apply with my fingers as otherwise things will become a little messy. It's such a nice alternative to perhaps your usual powder eye shadows and highlighters. Although £17 for a pigment may seem absolutely ridiculous it is definitely worth the hefty price tag as not only do you receive 4.5g of product but you can also use this for a variety of different purposes.

Vanilla is a beautiful soft ivory white which is perfect as a highlighter or as an intense under brow highlight. I find I only really use Vanilla on my cheek bones as not only can it be fiddly but I find it too much underneath my brow. Especially if I am already using shimmery eye shadows all over the lid. It makes your skin look so flawless and glowing however this product isn't for the faint hearted. As I find it can be striking and difficult to apply at times however I am fully impressed with this product and am so glad I added this to my collection.

Is a pigment something you have ever tried before?

Buy Here

Thank you for reading,

Olivia x



Nars Dolce Vita Lipstick

Sorry another post on a high end item, but I promise to post some more things from the drugstore and tags. I just have been loving lots of high end products at the moment- due to the fact that it was Christmas and Christmas is a time for luxury and treats. One thing I never payed attention to from Nars was lipsticks. I wanted to try their bronzers, blushers, concealers and foundations before I even thought about the other products Nars sell. However after seeing a you tuber rave about a Sephora set she bought which included this lipstick I knew I would love it and want to buy it. I saw that Asos just before Christmas had a 20% off everything and I couldn't turn down such a good deal especially as they have free delivery. These lipsticks originally cost £18.50 however I got mine for £14.80 which was a great deal especially as you never ever usually get money off makeup.

 

Nars Dolce Vita is a cult classic shade which is a your lips but better colour. I would describe the shade as a dusty rose colour, the shade is very warm compared to the likes of a usual pinky colour. At first sight I believe the shade looks very off putting however after swatching and putting on the lips you can easily fall in love. The black matte packaging and white writing is typical for Nars however beautiful and simplistic its a shame it gets dirty so quickly. This lipstick has quickly become my favourite of all time, its a perfect everyday lipstick especially as its so creamy and easy to apply. However this is part of the sheer range, if you want a bold red lip or a bright fuchsia this range of lipsticks will not be up your ally. Although I am not interested in getting any others from the range I am so pleased and think its worth every penny.   

 

I love how luxurious this is to use and it gives that satisfying click sound when your close the lid, I would literally give this a perfect 5/5 and couldn't recommend this enough.

 

You can buy this here

 

Thank you for reading,

Livs x

 



Naked Basics Review

One of the presents I got for Christmas was the Naked Basics Urban Decay palette which I knew my friend Emma was getting for me and I really was happy to receive this. At first I never intentionally wanted the basics palette and had my heart set on the well known and loved Naked palettes. Although I started to see a large amount of reviews and comments talking about how great this palette is due to the pigmentation, quality and price compared to the likes of other eye shadows and it went onto my wish list very quickly. As I decided I didn't need any more eye shadows it seemed appropriate to buy it for each other for Christmas which seems far more justifiable. Luckily at the time the palette was reduced by twenty per cent which can make a difference when make up shopping.

 

The palette comes with Five Matte Shades and a subtle shimmer which has a satin formula in the shade 'Venus.' When swatching this palette for the first time I was blown away by the pigmentation, especially the black which I find can usually be disappointing however on this occasion I found it to be the most pigmented out of all the shades available. I find when creating an eyeshadow look I am limited to the looks I can create however the idea of the palette is a Basic Every Day Look which you can achieve using every single shade. Venus is a beautiful shimmery white which is perfect for a inner corner and brow bone highlight. Foxy is an off yellow matte shade which is perfect towards the inner corners of the eye. Walk of Shame is a perfect transition colour to help blend the other shades across the lid. I find Naked 2 to be a perfect eyebrow shade however those with darker brows could use the shade Faint. The shade Faint is a dark brown which is very appropriate for creating a smoky eye into the crease and lastly Crave which is appropriate for a subtle eyeliner across the upper lash line.   

 

Not only does the product offer Six beautiful shades it also offers a large mirror which you can apply your makeup with. I find mirrors in products to be extremely useful- less space taken up in your make up bag. I also love the packaging, not only is it simple and unique however it also protects the product and is guaranteed to keep the eye shadows safe and secure whilst travelling. Especially as these eyeshadow are very appropriate for travelling. I was thoroughly impressed with this palette and I am glad it has entered my collection, I really would like to get my hands on the Naked Three palette very soon as I am dying to try that out.

 

Thank you for reading,

Olivia x

The Yule Monty Soap and Glory Gift Set

Well Christmas is gone once again, so everyone is getting ready for new year which is less than a week away. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas or a good holiday for those who don't celebrate and got lots of the things you wanted. I was really lucky to receive many presents and vouchers this year and amongst them I received the Yule Monty gift set from Soap and Glory. I had my eye on this before Christmas as I had noticed the set was reduced from £60 to £27 which a ridiculously good deal and of course went out of stock very quickly however luckily my mum was able to grab one, little did I know as I hadn't asked for the set. So I thought I would tell you what is included within the set- not a review as such- and everyone loves a little nosy. I do warn you though this post is very picture heavy. The gifts come packaged within a beautiful pink and silver bag which could be appropriate for travelling or to hold beauty, skincare and body items. I will definitely be keeping the box as I am sure I will find a way in which I can use this around my bedroom or for going on holiday next year.

Within the set you receive Hand Food, Sugar Crush Body Wash, The Righteous Body Butter, Peaches and Clean Cleanser, Heel Genius Foot Cream, Butter Yourself Lotion, Scrub of your life, Thick and Fast Mascara and Sexy Mother Pucker in Pink out Loud.  

 Around this time last year I picked up the Sugar Crush Body Wash and have only literally just come to the end of the bottle. The product lasts a ridiculously long time due to the consistency and of course as the product contains 500ml. The scent Sugar Crush is my favourite due to the lime and freshness of the scent, very appropriate for the Summer and Spring for a pick me up to keep you wide awake and fresh. The only negative about this is the price which is £6.50, now this is quite a lot for a body wash however in the long run the product is worth the money and would outlast four or five £1 body washes.

 

The other bottle is the Butter Yourself Body Lotion which is something I have never tried before. The scent is described as 'super smoothing Shea butter, orange water juice, fig pulp extract and almond, mango and moringa oils'  Although I am not particularly great at describing scents I would agree there is a scent of oranges which isn't overpowering so if you aren't a fan of the Sugar Crush scent you would probably prefer this. Although I wasn't particularly keen at first I have grown to like the scent and find it to be very different from the other scents Soap and Glory offer.

 I have used hand food before and posted it within my soap and glory favourites post which you can find here. This is such a great product which is perfect to smooth and hydrate your hands without leaving them feeling sticky. I love the traditional Soap and Glory scent which the Hand Food has and will always be a firm favourite of mine. If you have never tried this before I would definitely recommend this, they even offer a smaller size for those who don't want to spend £5.

Although I can't comment on the other two products I am really intrigued to try them as I haven't before.

The product I am most intrigued to try is the Peaches and Clean Cleanser as I have never tried a Cleanser before- shocking I know- and of course this product smells of delicious Peaches. I can't wait to give this a go and see if it makes a difference to my skin. Although I have never used a big tub of the Righteous Butter before I have used smaller containers which have produced how good this product is due to its soft texture which sinks into the skin and the smell which is identical to hand food.

I have never tried any of the Soap and Glory make up and I wish they had included more within the set as I am only really interested in trying the thick and fast mascara due to the fact the lip gloss reminds me of something which I would have got in a set when I was younger however I would still like to try it as I am sure it will be better than I expect it to be. I feel extremely fortunate to receive this set and happy with everything within the gift box as they are either products I haven't tried or I already love. Anyways if you would be interested in a what I got for Christmas comment below as I am not sure whether to post one or not.

 

Thank you for reading,

Livs x