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Sunday 27 January 2013

My first TAG - 11 Questions

Not a relevant picture, but you have to break up all these words!
The lovely Georgina tagged me in my first ever blog tag, so once I'd figured out what it meant I got myself a cup of tea and got answering!

Here's my answers + my new 11 questions + the lovely ladies I have tagged!

1. If you could change 1 thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would love to have more energy, hopefully this will come with getting better but at the moment a lot of my time is wasted feeling tired.

2. If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?
I honestly can't think of a person I'd like to be! I guess I'll say my boyfriend as I'd quite like to know how his mind works when he does things his strange way, and I'd like to see myself through his eyes too.

3. What's your favourite thing about blogging?
My favourite thing is definitely the people I've met/spoken too, especially now I have moved and am planning to meet up with some lovely new bloggers and a few from home are traveling this way too.

4. What's your favourite hobby to do besides blogging?
I really love craft, I'm going to try and make more time for cross stitching this year as its so relaxing and I love the feeling of holding something I've made with my own fair hands!

5. Do you have any pets? If not, what would you have if you could?
In my family home I have a miniature schnauzer called Harry who I literally miss more than anything else at home (sorry family, they understand) I'm a total crazy dog lady and if I wasnt renting at the moment I would definitely have a puppy (if my family wouldn't give me Harry).


Comfy?
6. What's been your favourite age to be and why?
I would say 18 was brilliant, first year of uni & met my boyfriend, also last time I was totally healthy. I'm hoping that 23 will be a good one too (birthday is not till July but I've been ill for most of age 22).

7. What mobile phone do you have and do you like it?
I have an iPhone 4, its totally a hand me down from my sister but I love it and have finally been converted to apple, rather reluctantly as I hate that whatever you buy is out of date so quickly, but I thought I lost it yesterday and I was practically in tears!

8. What's your favourite brand of beauty product?
I can't choose one so Rimmel for high street goodies, origins for skincare & YSL purely for the touché éclat foundation and concealer that I couldn't live without!

9. What's your favourite makeup brush make?
I actually only have real techniques brushes, I started blogging just as they launched and they were the first things I bought because of blog hype but I'm glad I did because I love them and have quite a collection now.

10. What's your idea of the perfect day?
Having a lazy morning with pancakes for breakfast then going for a midday stroll (preferably around the shops!) and finishing the day with good friends and good food.

11. Sum yourself up in 3 words.
I am loyal, quirky and determined (read stubborn)

Now my questions -

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Rimmel Kate moss lipsticks 19 & 107

I have been looking for the perfect burgundy lipstick for ages after seeing the colour everywhere this winter, so as soon as I saw this gorgeous Kate moss 107 lipstick it just had to be mine! I also really liked 19 and they were on offer (3for2) so naturally I bought it too along with a Rimmel 1000 kisses lip tint which I will be reviewing soon.
The lipsticks are pretty much my perfect day and night combo, the rosy nude of 19 (ah I wish it had a name) is a lovely my lips but better glossy colour that is really easy to throw on and wear all day. It's an essential colour for that done but not over the top look.
 
The lipstick smells gorgeous, like watermelon, and applies really smoothly feeling light and creamy on your lips. I'm pleased with the lasting power too as I don't take makeup in my bag usually so coming home with a bit of lippy on still was a surprise (I work around 6 hours including bus journeys).
107 is the perfect night time lipstick for me, I did attempt wearing it during the day but it was too much for me and my mum actually said she couldn't concentrate as she was too distracted by my lips! I am very very pale though so the contrast is quite extreme. In the evening however when I can amp up the rest of my makeup to match it looks amazing.
 
Again this lipstick smells lovely, applies really well and lasts for a long time (more so as it has a slight stain after) the texture is a little different to 19 as the ones in the red casing are meant to be matte, although I wouldn't say its totally matte as there is a slight sheen which I prefer to be honest. It's also really popular after picking it up I noticed a flurry of other bloggers reviewing it too.
I think I look like two different people in these photos, they are taken about a month apart and in totally different lights so maybe that's why.
 
Overall I really like these lovely lipsticks and will be keeping an eye out for any new releases in the range!
 
Have you tried these lipsticks? What colour is your favourite from the Kate moss range?
 
Cariad xxx
 
 

Monday 21 January 2013

Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel

 
 
When I bought my gran some lovely Clarins skincare for Christmas the fab assistant gave me loads of samples to try, I gave most of them to my gran but kept one little one for myself - pure melt cleansing gel and I am so glad I did keep this one!
 
Previously I had been using the Clinique 3 step system which I have been unhappy with for ages but I was trying to use them up before I was allowed to buy any new skincare, I did let myself try a few samples as I went along but none compelled me to buy (and ditch the Clinique) as much as this gorgeous gel cleanser.
 
My face is always dry and tight feeling so anything that adds moisture and doesn't strip my skin, like the Clinique toner bit, is a bit of a revelation. The pure melt cleanser is a bit weird really as it starts as a gel in your hands which you then rub into your face and allow it to melt into a really nice slippery oil.
 
I really enjoy this part and have had some funny looks off Phil for spending an absolute age massaging my shiny face, I use this part to really make sure my eye makeup is removed, all my day to day eye makeup is removed really easily but I do use a separate eye makeup remover first when I've had evening make up on (otherwise you'd be smearing it all over your face!) it's really gentle on my eyes too.
 
Then I wash it off with warm water and it become a bit milky and all dissolves with ease leaving my face feeling really clean but still soft and moisturised - I follow up with my new origins moisturiser *post coming soon* and I'm done.
 
I've really noticed a difference in my skin with this and I look forward to using it as it feels like such a luxury that cleansing is not a chore anymore, I even get back out of bed to do this if I forget and I do not get out of bed for much!
 
Clarins is not a brand I was very familiar with before this, I guess I associated it with products for older skin, but I'm really keen to try more now, any suggestions?
 
Cariad xxx
 

Friday 18 January 2013

Snow day!

 
My Snowy Garden
So I've been sent home from school because of the snow, I feel like I'm 13 again! I plan on snuggling on the sofa, watching the inbetweeners and eating biscuits/Pringles - lush. I might try to catch up with some blogging too as I've been so exhausted after work I've been a bit neglectful. In fact these plans might just stretch out all weekend!
Enjoy the snow guys, Keep safe!
Cariad xxx
 
 

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Foundation mission - YSL Le teint touché éclat



After my rigorous testing mission (see post foundation testing mission!) it was clear that I had found the perfect foundation for my needs with this gorgeous YSL one.
I'm shade BR20 which is the second lightest shade in beige rose (pinkish) , there's also beige dore (yellowish) and beige (somewhere in between) in total an amazing 22 colours so there's bound to be a perfect match for everyone.


I love the gorgeous packaging, the glass bottle feels expensive and the pump dispenses the perfect amount for my whole face while keeping the bottle nice and clean.
I have pretty dry skin so finding a foundation that doesn't cake or sit in the dry patches has always been a real problem, my skin can also look quite dull and flat so I have a pretty complicated list of needs!
This foundation is the only one that ticks all my boxes, its moisturising and looks great even when my skin is dry and spotty, I feel like my skin has actually benefitted from using this too.
This is also one of the only foundations that actually lasts on me, I've literally never seen a difference after taking my make up off like I do when I take this off (obviously eye makeup and lipstick comes off but my foundation is usually gone a few hours before cleansing!)
It's a really light formula but I wouldn't say light coverage as the impressive science behind this seems to blur and counteract all my blemishes without masking my skin. I honestly wish I understood it better to explain as its really different to any other foundation.


My redness is covered and I rarely use concealer with this too, as I'm writing this I'm actually raving about the foundation to a friend too!

Two more good points - it photographs really well, it has SPF of 18 which is apparently enough to keep your skin safe but not too much to get that ghostly look in pictures (yes it does get paler than these photos)!

And a little goes a long way, one pump is perfect for my whole face (I apply with my real techniques foundation brush, then buff in with the buffing brush - airbrushed look!) so even though the foundation is pricey it's gonna last me an absolute age.
Ok I'm done raving now but honestly this is the best product that blogging has lead me too.

Have you tried this? What's your "holy grail" foundation?

Cariad xx

Thursday 10 January 2013

Foundation testing mission!

I've mentioned before that I'm a little bit of a makeup snob, I can't help but be drawn to expensive packaging and love a bit of luxury! So that I don't spend an absolute fortune on make up I tend to only splurge on something I really need/want so I do lots of research (ie stalking blog reviews) I keep things on a mental want list for a while to stop myself impulse buying and if possible I try and get a sample or at least have a test at a make up stand.

One of the most expensive and probably most essential items I splurge on is foundation, I'm not one to collect them and have usually only got one or two on the go (I have 3 right now but one was a Christmas pressie and one *rimmel wake up* was only £4.99 so barely counts!) my most recent one went through a very rigorous testing process, which I thought it might be good to share.


I try to get samples of foundations especially high end ones, I would hate to spend £20-£30 on something that doesn't suit me and foundation is a really personal thing too, it sits totally differently on each persons skin so testing is essential. This is my recent samples collection, the MUAs at mac were really generous with the samples which is brilliant, I hate the ones that give you a little sample in a foil packet. I got the YSL one before the foundation was released as I'm sure lots of you did too, but I did send my sister in once it had launched to try it herself and she came away with a sample aswell so I think they are still available. Also the girl on the Nars counter was lovely (might have been because I bought orgasm blusher and Laguna bronzer at the time) but she happily gave me a sample. My tip is to be cheeky enough to ask and you usually get! I also tell the MUA that I need to see how it applies with my own brushes/techniques, as its usually veeery different to when they do it. Please don't take this as advice to get as many as you can, narrow it down to 3 or 4 that sound good from reviews or descriptions, I'm basically saying not to take the mickey as we don't want them to stop giving them out!


I've got Nars sheer glow in Deauville, MAC Pro long wear in NW20 and Face and Body in C1, and YSL Le teint touché éclat in BR20. The sizes are between 5-7 mls and I managed to get at least 7 days use out of each of them, that was easily enough to make a choice and I've still got a bit left over so I've been taking the good ones on trips with me too.

Swatches in the same order as the picture above.


Like I said I've only used most of these for a week or so but here are my thoughts on each, also I have very pale pinkish skin that is usually dry but luckily not really prone to spots or sensitivities. I prefer a Lightweight medium coverage foundation with a dewy finish.

Nars sheer glow - weirdly this was not very sheer or glowy on me so I was very disappointed, it also oxidised really badly on me by the end of the day. I had heard so much about this one and had been really excited to try it, it was also strangely lovely when the MUA applied it for me. Very glad I tested it though as I would have been devastated had I bought this and felt the same.

MAC face and body - I loved this foundation it was really lightweight and sheer, I found it difficult to apply though as my face felt sticky and wet for a while after so not great with a fringe! The reason I haven't bought this is my mam thought it made me look really pale, she practically did a double take when she saw me (I couldn't really see what she meant but it was enough to put me off).

MAC pro long wear - this foundation was nice, the colour was perfect and it lasted really well all day. The coverage was a little heavier than I was looking for and it was also a little sticky I would definitely use this but I wasn't really wowed by it. I didn't notice much oxidation but I'm told that's a bit of an issue with most mac foundations so something to bear in mind.

YSL Le teint touché éclat - I loved this! This has become my holy grail foundation, I'm preparing to do a full review post on this but basically it ticked all my boxes and literally cannot use any others since I bought this one as I now think I look a bit grey and dead without it. Perfect perfect!

Have I sampled any of your favourite foundations? Do you usually test foundations or buy them on a whim?

Also do you usually go for budget or high end foundations?

Cariad xx

Tuesday 8 January 2013

The new flat!

 

I finally moved to reading with my boyfriend on Saturday, so we've had a pretty hectic and stressful weekend with goodbyes and unpacking! The flat is beautiful so I'm really enjoying making it all cosy and homey especially my gorgeous fireplace (I do love a bit of brick!) and excitingly we even have our own little garden so bring on the summer BBQs!

Then I started my new job today too, it really is all go around here, it feels soo good to have something to do with my days, the school staff are absolutely lovely and part time hours are lush (but perfect for building me back up, I'm shattered already)

Posting might be a little sporadic for a while as I'm literally exhausted when I get in!

I'm going to try a little flat tour once everything's all pretty.

Cariad xxx

Ps I'm writing this as Phil does the dishes *what a perfect housemate*