My Secret Weapon

I don't make a secret of the fact that I used to suffer incredibly badly from acne in my early teens. Luckily, I've long grown out of it and only really get a nice little collection of spots/blemishes at a (certain) time of the month.

I've gone through loads of bottles, lotions and potions, naively trying to find a miracle cure to make them magically dissapear.

However, I then discovered The Body Shop's Tea Tree collection. Albeit a few years too late, but I had given up on anything Tea Tree as it had never really worked for me. Plus, having sensitive skins it did nothing to help that either. But, about a year ago I took a leap of faith and I'm so glad I did.

The whole Tea Tree range is absolutely amazing (especially the Skin Clearing Lotion) but this face mask is something that actually is somewhat of a miracle cure.

As a firm devotee to face masks, I like smother this all over my face and leave for up to two hours (a long time you might think, but this seems to work better the longer it's left on). And on removal, even newly formed spots have shrunk and the soreness has dissapeared. The older ones have been dried up almost completely and are much less visible.

Another bonus to this is that one tub lasts absolutely ages, and believe me, I smother it on thickly. And at around £5-£6 (can't find the exact price for some reason) it's definitely an affordable weapon.

What do you reach for the moment you see a breakout appearing? Any tips shared are greatly appreciated!

The Tiniest Attempt At Nail Art..

A kind of quick NOTD post.. Just a little attempt at tiger striped nails.

I don't do nail art too often as steady handed, I ain't. However, I think my next attempt will be the sponge effect that's been sweeping the nail art blogs!

Any other easy nail art ideas for someone who always makes a mess of things? :)

(I used Angelica polish in shade 84 Be Mine Models Own Nail Art Pen)

EOTD: Metallic Eye Tutorial featuring MUA's Immaculate Collection

A different kind of post today! Almost a tutorial, if you like. Featuring MUA's 'Immaculate Collection' palette, I created this metallic look!

The colours in this palette are absolutely stunning, and as someone who, as a rule, doesn't bother with eyeshadow looks, I am addicted to this look now thanks to the Immaculate Collection.

So this look is really easy. To start, I used Shade 12 (above) all over the lid.

Shade 22 (above) I used wet as an eyeliner, which you can wing out as much as you like.

And finally, Shade 18 (above) I used in the inner corners of the eye, blending into Shade 12 and also bringing out into the tear duct to widen the eyes.

Simple, eh? Quick and easy and makes your eyes look all dressed up!

What are your favourite quick eye looks?

Back... With MAC.

Please accept my mega apologies for not blogging in almost a month, this occured for a number of reasons..

I recently finished uni forever, and so what conceeded was a flurry of applying for jobs, celebrating, getting more hours at work, and celebrating some more. (Yes, with large amounts of alcohol, ahem.) And I suppose I can finally admit I simply lost inspiration, for a lot of things, and obviously blogging.

Anywhoo, I am going to be really good and get back to regular posts as I really have no excuse now, and I somehow seemed to manage it when writing my whopping dissertation at the same time..

When I finished uni I told myself I would treat myself to a MAC foundation and concealer, as I've always wanted to try and I'm a huge MAC fan anyway. Foundation and concealer have to be my favourite buys, as I'm always on the hunt to try different ones and I suppose I'm trying to find the perfect ones. Debenhams conveniently had 10% when I went in, on a positive side note. Watch out for these price events!

When I went into MAC, I already knew what I was wanting as I'd done a lot of research. Good job really, as they weren't really keen on chatting to me or helping me (but I'll save that for another post/rant).

For my skin (Prone to blemishes, oily/extremely combination) and the coverage I preferred (full and matt) I found myself buying Studio Fix Fluid foundation and Studio Finish Concealer. And I was matched (by myself..) to NC15, the lightest shade MAC offer, ghost-like if you will.

First, the concealer. My usual HG concealer is Maybelline 24 Hour concealer, simply because it covers absolutely anything and does infact last 24 hours. However, in this MAC offering I have found my new favourite. My skin isn't half as bad as it used to be when I was a teenager, but I am still left with a very uneven skin tone and the odd blemish/spot. It's a little more than I'd usually spend at £13.50, simply because I use so much of it so quickly, but I have to say I'll be sticking to this from now on. Some days I can even skip foundation and use only this. The big dent I have now created shows how much I love this concealer. Any other industrial strength concealer options people would like to share would be much appreciated!

The foundation I have mixed feelings about... The good points? It offers the best coverage I've ever had in a foundation which is what I love, and it applies like a dream, even and offers an almost airbrushed look. The bad points.. I like my foundation to last a whole day, as about 3/4pm I start looking a tad shiny, so staying power is important for me. At £19.50, this doesn't please me in that department unfortunately. After about 8 hours wear I can wipe a finger down my nose and it will come off (which for some people 8 hours is absolutely fine). However, I've previously been using Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour foundation, and I loved the way that it actually kept me matt for 25 hours. However, all in all I will let this foundation off because of the airbrushed look it creates, it just means going through a lot of powder and keeping this purely for my daytime foundation!

Another note I will make is that if you want the pump, you have to purchase it seperately at £3. Which I think is a little bit of MAC trying to get more money out of you as pouring out of the original bottle doesn't really work.

What have your MAC experiences been like for foundation and concealer? Do share, as I'd love to compare! (Ending with a rhyme, there are no end to my talents.)

Poundland Haul... Yes, you heard right!

Poundland has been a bit of a unexpected goldmine lately if you hit it at the right time! This is what I've picked up on two seperate trips in the last week:

Exciting, no?!

Herbal Essences clarifying shampoo is one of my favourite shampoos ever, as I have very thick long hair which needs a deep cleanse regularly to keep it bouncy. Normally around £1.70-£2.00 for this normally so a great chance to stock up.

Herbal Essences again, and this time an intensive hair mask. I've not seen the 'Breakage Defender' range in shops at all, so maybe this is why it's at Poundland? Not sure. But it smells suspiciously like their 'Hello Hydration' range and is an absolutely amazing conditioner, leaves my hair in amazing condition.

Now I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these beauties! I'm a big fan of Rimmel but never tried their blushes before, so this was the perfect opportunity! In 'Summer Fever' (left) and 'Winter Glow' (right). They both give a lovely effect when all colours are blended together. The little brush is great also for when you're on the go and want to top up your blush. They're normally around £5.50 I think, so what a bargain!

I've never heard of Studio 35 before, but this looked like a great eyeliner brush. I often use eyeshadows as eyeliner so this is perfect as it's angled.

I've never had anything from Almay before, but I get through a ridiculous amount of pressed/loose powder as I love having a matte look so I thought this 'Pure Blends' natural matte finishing powder looked very interesting! The packaging in particular is very cute, and love the fact you get a free powder puff. Haven't tried it out yet so I'm not sure whether its as good as my staple powder, Rimmel's Stay Matte in translucent.

This might just be my favourite find! I've been using Collection 2000's Shimmer and Shade forever to highlight and contour my cheekbones/eyebrows/cupid's bow. I only need to use a little as they're quite pigmented so they last ages. So naturally, I was pleased to see it for £1!

Have you found any unbelievable beauty bargains in the strangest of places?

NOTD: Star Galaxy

Hey lovelies! My full apologies for the lack of posts lately, just finishing my final year at uni and the workload has been unreal! When it ends I shall return to full capacity, honest..

Thought I'd share a quick NOTD post as it was quite spontaneous and turned out better than I expected!

I've called them star galaxy nails because.. Well.. That's what they look like to me!

This was created using Barry M in 313 Dusty Mauve and over the top W7 (a blue glitter that doesn't seem to have a shade!)

What do you think?

Mini MUA Haul!

MUA had an incredible offer on their website this week, get a free 'Immaculate Collection' palette worth £8 with any order! Ive been wanting to try the Love Heart lip balms for a while now, so this was the perfect opportunity.

Anyway, it arrived this morning and looks great! Can't wait to try the eyeshadows, and the lip balms were used straight away as I couldn't resist the smell. 

I got 'Sweet Kiss' and 'Great Lips', and they're just delicious. Might have to just buy the rest of them now.. I can confirm they are highly addictive.

What do you think of MUA or the Love Heart collection?