Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara

Soap and Glory Thick & Fast Mascara (£10)

I’ve not tried many of Soap and Glory’s make up products and I’m not really sure why?  I suppose I believed they do such a good job of making sweet, smelly things that they weren’t going to be masters of make up too.  But I was wrong and it was their nifty Thick & Fast mascara that changed my mind.  It came as part of my big bumper S&G gift-set (the one that’s reduced to half price in Boots a couple of weeks before Christmas) and I only started to use it when I realised I was all out of my favourite mascara and hadn’t yet bought a replacement.

Although I didn’t originally buy this mascara, it is certainly one that I would now purchase.  My lashes look both thicker and longer after just a couple of coats of the stuff and it’s dramatic, yet wearable at the same time.  The formula is great as it doesn’t clog or clump my lashes together and most importantly, it doesn’t start to run down my face midday, leaving me completely unaware of my panda eyes.  The wand is your typical sort of bristle-brush: tapered at the end to make applying to the inner corners of your eyes a lot easier, yet big enough to really give your lashes some lift.

Soap and Glory have really gone back to basics with this mascara and I personally think that’s the reason it really works.  They’re not making any wild claims or promising anything innovative and even the packaging is just a straight up and down simple mascara tube but they’ve focused on making a great product on the inside.  Thick & Fast might not be life-changing and you probably won’t want to rush out and buy it straight away, but if, like me, you have this tucked away in your collection somewhere, it’s definitely worth a try.

GC.

Happy Blogtober & Happy Birthday To Me!

  

Happy Blogtober to you all :) Blogtober!  What is this I hear you ask?  Well before you think I’ve gone absolutely crazy, I best explain why I’ve decided to rename this autumnal month of ours with a catchy little creation of mine.  Trust me, the more you say it, the more it sounds like a real word.  Blogtober...Blogtober...No?!

Bascially, if you’ve been reading my blog for some time now, you will have noticed it’s been a bit stop-start these past couple of months.  Life has been getting in the way and although I’ve been having a helluva time, I’ve come to the conclusion that I really need to give my blog all or nothing because I don’t like to do things half-heartedly.  

So, in order to get myself back into blogging mode, I’ve set myself a challenge.  I’m going to blog every single day in October.  That’s 31 days and 31 posts.  Can I do it?  I hope so!  It’s certainly going to be tricky and I imagine finding the time to post every day will be hard enough for a seasoned blogger, never mind a newbie like me, but I’m going to give it my best shot.

To start, I’d like to show you a few snaps of my birthday night out ensemble.  My birthday was on September 27th and I had a truly fabulous day and night celebrating with my friends and family.  I’m big on birthdays and put a lot of emphasis on getting glammed up and going out on the town.  I had my hair done especially and pulled out this little number that I’d been saving for the occasion.  I felt like quite the birthday girl once I was ready.

Anyway, what do you all think about Blogtober?  Does anyone fancy giving it a go with me and we can attempt the challenge together?  If you’re up for it, leave your blog link in my comments below so I can be sure to follow.  If there’s one thing I love more than writing posts it’s reading them :) 

GC.

Manicure Monday 2: Nails Inc Feathers Effect

Nails Inc Feathers Effect in Edinburgh (£11)

Oh no!  I’m such a bad blogger.  I had the best intentions to do a load of posts this last week but once again life kinda got in the way and before I knew it, it was Manicure Monday again!  And rather late in the day too so for that reason I will keep it brief as my bed is calling.

This week I’ve been wearing the Nails Inc Feathers Effect nail varnish in the colour Edinburgh.  As you can see, it’s a textured polish which contains little flecks of peachy-orange and pale blue to create a feathered finish on your nails.  I’ve layered it on top of a baby blue but it would look good on it’s own after two or three coats. 

I love the way this looks but I’m not crazy about the way it feels on my nails.  It’s very rough, even with a top coat, and I found myself just sitting rubbing my nails all day when I should have been busy at work.  It’s also catches on clothing and in strands of hair too which drives me absolutely wild and for that reason I’m putting this on my box of party polishes: perfect for one night outings but not quite weekday material.  Fab if you’re a fan of something a little different but one I can guarantee you will be dying to peel off.

GC. 

Manicure Monday 1: CK One Real Nail Polish Strips

CK One Real Nail Polish Strips (£10)

As I have so many fabulous nail varnishes and products to show you I thought now might be a good time to do a #manicuremonday series.  I see this hashtag so much on Twitter and pictures of perfectly polished talons really do brighten my mundane Monday mornings so I thought I would bring you my own offerings.  Please excuse my dodgy looking hands and the quality of the photographs but holding a heavy camera in one hand whilst photographing the other is really quite hard.  How do these girls on Instagram take such perfect shots?

My nails are rather long at the minute so I felt it was time I brought out something a little special for the occasion and you don’t get more fantastic than designer nail wraps.  The CK One Real Nail Polish Strips are unlike any nail stickers I’ve ever used.  The graffiti design is so different and something I certainly couldn’t create on my own  They mould well to the nail without the need for any heat and are easily filed into shape with the handy mini file/buffer that comes in the pack.  Applying nail wraps are usually my idea of hell.  I just find them so fiddly and a bit naff but I’m so glad I gave these a go.

I never expect much in terms of staying power with wraps, usually just seeing them as a one night thing, but I’m onto day two and these babies are going nowhere yet.  I’ve chipped one or two on the very ends but these are also the nails that I rushed so I think the moral of the story is to take your time for longer, lasting results.  My only complaint would be that you only get 16 transfers so there isn’t much room for error but overall I can only say positive things.  

Happy manicure Monday to you all!  Send me your links below so I can check out your manis!  My monday happiness levels depend on it! 

GC.  

Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy

 Ojon Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy (£30)

One bottle of hair oil finished and another one opened.  I seriously could not cut this step out of my hair regime now and don’t know how my hair was ever in a reasonable condition without it.  My oil of choice at the minute is the Rare Blend Oil Total Hair Therapy from haircare superstars Ojon.  And doesn’t it look pretty?  I love how the three different coloured layers sit on top of each other in the bottle making it look very space age but luxe at the same time (think chic lava lamp!)

The magic happens when you shake up the bottle and mix all three liquids together to achieve the creamy looking consistency you can see in the images above.  At this point, I pour one or two drops into the palm of my hand and warm it up before putting it through the ends of my damp hair.  I think this bottle would really benefit from a pipette or a pump however, as it’s easy to accidentally use too much product like I did upon first use.  And because I used far too much, the oil didn’t absorb properly and my hair looked a little greasy.  Never a good look after you’ve just spent hours washing, conditioning and styling your hair!

At £30 this is one of the more expensive hair oils I’ve seen on the market but if you do have enough pennies in your beauty budget this a good investment.  I suppose you could justify the hefty price tag considering you’re not just getting one oil, like argan for example, but a blend of other utterly lovely ingredients which will do nothing but good for your hair.  If you’re reading this and still not using a hair oil - it doesn’t have to be this one - then your locks are missing out.  Get on board the oil revolution and don’t deprive them any longer.

GC.

Eyelure Naturalites Eyelashes in 120

 Eyelure Naturalites Eyelashes in 120

Today I thought I would share with you all another of my false lash favourites.  The Eyelure  Naturalites 120 eyelashes were at one point the only lashes I would wear.  I’ve branched out a little now because let’s face it, it’s hard not to when there’s so many fabulous pairs to pick from but the 120 lashes are something I always like to go back to now and then.

They’re very intense and most definitely suited for an evening look.  The lash length alternates between long and shot, creating a spiked effect which reminds me of Jennifer Lopez back in the day.  Another thing to note is that they are really long which might be a little off putting if you’re not used to wearing falsies but if you are then you will find these as comfortable as any other pair.  As you can see from the photograph above, they nearly touch my eyebrows!  They might not be for everybody but I love the way they make me look instantly glam, almost as if I’m channeling my inner J-Lo!

GC.

Indeed Labs Pepta-bright & Hydraluron

Indeed Labs Pepta-bright (£29.99)

Indeed Labs Hydraluron (£24.99)

Forget Brangelina, I have for you today a brand new power couple that I just can’t get enough of.  Brought to you by Canadian company Indeed Labs, I introduce to you Pepta-bright and Hydraluron.  Recommended by number one skin guru Caroline Hirons, these two products should be at the top of any skincare lover’s wish list.  If you haven’t heard of Caroline Hirons, and I must admit that I only discovered her a few months ago, then this video she filmed with the Pixiwoo sisters is a great introduction to her and her facial favourites.  I’m obsessed with her and her blog Beauty Mouth and the minute so expect many a Hirons reference in my upcoming blog posts.

Pepta-bright is a cream type serum designed to reduce the appearance of dark spots and skin imperfections on your face.  I suffer a lot from scarring and find whenever I have a pimple it takes ages for the mark it leaves to fade away.  In fact, I still have scars from spots I had years ago despite teenage acne being something I’d rather forget thank you.  I’ve been using the serum under my moisturiser for a good few weeks now and have definitely seen an improvement.  My skin looks a lot clearer and those dark marks are slowly but surely going away.

Now where do I start with Hydraluron?  I have so many good things to say about this product.  Again it’s another serum but this time a clear gel which soaks straight into your skin when applied.  It’s packed full of hyaluronic acid which despite sounding quite scary is actually found in the body naturally so is nothing but good for you.  It has hydrating agents which literally take one look at dry skin, then smother it in goodness.  I’ve been using this on my face both morning and night before applying my moisturiser and my skin has never felt so hydrated.  I usually struggle with dry/combination skin but this product has changed all of that.  I find the sensation very strange when I first apply the serum.  It sinks in so fast that my face feels a little tight, almost as if the skin has drank up all of the product.  I’ve heard some people say it stings them a little but I’ve only found it to do so if my skin is broken or open due to a nasty spot.  It’s a big claim to make but I think this is my favourite skincare product to date.

The two products can be used together, Pepta-bright first, then Hydraluron and then your favourite moisturiser but I do think they work equally well used alone.  If I had to pick a favourite it would have to be Hydraulon.  It’s a miracle worker!  It’s Caroline’s favourite too hence the reason it’s sold out online at Boots!  That girl could sell sand to the Egyptians.

Both of these little beauties retail at £29.99 for Pepta-bright and £24.99 for Hydraluron which is a very good price I think.  However, the exciting part is that Boots have up to a third off Indeed Labs products at the moment meaning Pepta-bright is down to £19.99 and Hydraluron an amazing £16.99!!!  I’m ecstatic!  Like I said, it’s sold out online but I will be scouring every Boots in the North East this weekend to make sure I stock up and at that price, I suggest you do too!  Fight you for the last one!

GC.