I have moved!

Hi lovelies!

Just a quick note to say that I have been busy writing over on my new blog http://princessandthepeablog.blogspot.com/ since mid December, the move has done me a world of good and it is much more bout me rather than just beauty products.

On my new blog you will be able to catch up with my Makeup School journey, listen to some of my favourite songs, read about my dates, the good and the bad times, basically it is my online diary, I will be doing some makeup reviews however at the moment my priority is establishing my music interests and makeup school story. I want to get some structure to it before doing reviews, plus I am super busy working on both my new and old career!

I do hope you will pop over for a look, I feel it is far more appropriate for me to be blogging about my life in general at the moment and all the things I love, after all blogging is all about having fun, learning about things you might otherwise pass by and getting to know people.

http://princessandthepeablog.blogspot.com/

Blog Love
Lisa
xxx

Oxfam Oxjam - Southampton - Help needed!

Hi All

So it has been a while and now I am back I need your help with an event one of my very close friends is running this Sunday 24/10/10 in Southampton. The event is called Oxjam, this is a music event that is in conjunction with Oxfam, below is an open letter from the lovely Debbie explaining it more.

I am asking for donations of any kind for a raffle, I am trying to get a make up bundle together as they need more prizes! to raise more money! please email me spotonbeauty@gmail.com for information on where to send your donations or if you would like Debbie's contact details.

Hi,
I am the Fundraising coordinator for this years Oxjam Music Takeover event which will be happening across multiple music venues in Southampton this October 24th. Oxjam is a music festival made up of hundreds of events around the UK. Oxjam events are organised by people who know and love your local music scene. All in aid of Oxfam. Since 2006, more than 36,000 musicians have played to an audience of over 750,000 people at almost 3,000 Oxjam events, raising in excess of £1 million to fight poverty around the world.
To help attract the best quality acts to play at the event, we are seeking sponsorship of the event and prizes to give away in a raffle


We are aiming to raise £10,000 for Oxfam .
There will be many events throughout the summer leading up to the main Oxjam Takeover, and the Takeover event will be featured heavily in the local press - we already have two local radio stations signed up to broadcast from the event, the local paper will also be involved as will plenty of other local media. The main event will include multiple venues which will include a live band zone, a DJ zone and a late night zone.
If you are able to support us, we will be very pleased to include a grateful acknowledgment in all media material that we produce, with mentions in the local media too. Obviously the size of any donations/ Sponsorship will be reflected in the size of the acknowledgments.


It would be great if you could help in any way.
Kind Regards

Facebook Oxjam Event

Hi ho hi ho it's off to Makeup School I go!

Those of you who know me know how much I have been wanting to train as a makeup artist

So it was with rather large leap of faith (and a HUGE smile on my face) that I have booked myself on a course for 15 weeks (part time) that I start in January, all going well I can then start to advertise my freelance services!

I am super excited and cant wait to get my kit, and if any of you lovelies can recommend useful items you think I may need then please do

This time next year we'll be millionaires, well not quite but a very happy little lady

Blog love

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Dieting...The Key to Happiness?

Hello my name is Lisa and I am a yoyo dieter

We are a nation obsessed by the ideal I think 90% of the people I know are on diets...The other 10% are men!!! The media imprint a image of perfection upon us from an early age, but does having the perfect body make you happy, is it worth it?

Since the age of 16 I have been on a fruitless search for the perfect body, I have done many diets that have culminated in failure and as I get older, at 26, I have become a better person, I am proud of my body and who I am yet I still feel the pressure to fit in to those Topshop jeans!!! 

I'm currently doing Weight Watchers and have lost 11.5lbs. Although there are certain freedoms with this diet I hate going out with my friends for dinner and having to calculate points in my head thinking "oh I don't have enough points for that carbonara so I'll have the boring tomato pasta...Yawn!".

I have become obsessed by points and I'm constantly badgering people "Oh do you know how many points are in that double decker?" 4.5 in case you are wondering...

I'm starting to wonder, does dieting and depriving yourself of certain pleasures, especially in social situations, make you happy? Will I end up a size 10, beautiful, svelte, sexy and miserable?

I am a happy size 14 at the moment, I have a beautiful hourglass figure and I know what suits me, I wasn't built for mini skirts (my large inherited thighs have seen to that), but my happiness dosen't revolve around a mini skirt! My happiness comes from being sociable with my friends, having that slice of cheese cake whilst catching up over a coffee or going out and having a few too many vodkas!!!

So my decision: Carry on with Weight Watchers but give myself the freedom to let loose if I see fit, If I don't loose for one week so what? Its not the end of the world...Perfection is over rated anyway!

What are your dieting experiences, Are you obsessed by calories, is obsession with points bordering on an eating disorder?

Now where are the biscuits (rich tea of course)!!!

Twilight Saga Cashes In

I was looking for a cheap alternative to MAC Fix+ when I came across several makeup lines that are seem to be using the twilight saga as a marketing tool...Very clever!!!

I decided that I just had to try these products what with the pending release of Eclipse. Unfortunately due to certain circumstances this is the first opportunity I have had to write this review and Eclipse has been released (I loved it by the way), however I thought I should still do this post.

I brought two eyeshadows from the Volturi Twilight range and a lip staining balm from the Lunar Twilight range

As you can see the packaging is very classy looking giving it an expensive feel upon opening the boxes the theme of the packaging continues, I especially like the lipstick case with a sillouette of a tree on it.

So the eyeshadows, I got Dusk (left) and Dawn (right). My first complaint about this product is that I think all loose eyeshadows should come with a sifter and these don't, secondly they are not very finely milled which causes a lot of fall out. Saying that the colour pay off is fab and Dusk is a very unique dark purple shimmer shade almost with a pinkish aubergine colour running through it. Dawn is a neutral gold tone very pretty and shimmery.

The lip staining balm is in the shade lullaby, is a coral esq shade with a pink accent, it isn't as sheer as the name may suggest but maybe not as pigmented as a lipstick, it is very moisturising mainly down to almond oils within the bullet and has a good staying power my one complaint is the smell it smells like a £2.00 lipstick, which it was not, in fact other than my MAC lipstick its its the most expensive lipstick I own.

Lunar Twilight lip stain priced £9.50
Voulturi Twilight loose eyehadows priced from £4.50

In my opinion these are novelty purchases, I don't expect that anyone would repurchase, this is just another marketing ploy to cash in on the phenomenon of Twilight, and frankly there are better products out there.

Both these brands are available on Beauty bay, I wouldn't recommend Beauty Bay as I had a hell of a on going complaint with them about this package, however I have since found these on Asos http://www.asos.com/

Blog Love
xxx

Beautiful Bangles

The Asos sale sucked me in, I got some very pretty things but my favourite buys were my large statement bangles

I have always liked bangles with writing on them, I have a few so when I saw these I had to have them, they are big, chunky and bold, the black reads 'VIXEN' and the cream reads 'PROMISE'. I always wear written bangles so that if you hold your hand up they are the right way round for people to read...That's a personal preference I guess. Both are wooden and are currently £4.00 each in the sale (were £6.00)

I love green, that's why I get called Poddington pea so when I saw this peacock bangle I instantly needed it in my life...Its metal and its hollow which I didn't expect but I love it you have to be insane if you don't!!! This bangle is currently £3.00 in the sale (was £7.00)

So have you been sucked in by the sale? I think I resisted well and didnt spend too much...Well for me

Asos is an online store you can visit here (warning you could spend your wages)

Blog Love
xxx

Bandwagon Makeup

There is a massive hype at the moment regarding the revamp of Boots makeup like 17, no longer is this a line that is bypassed as a line for kids to spend their pocket money on. 17 have improved their products, range and the packaging is sleek and beautiful.

If you have read previous blog posts of mine you will see I'm having a little love affair with 17 products at the moment, the quality for the price is amazing I fully recommend popping in to boots to check out all the vibrant colours of their eyeshadows and quality of their foundations & blushers.

My favourite 17 product at the moment is the mirror shine lipstick in Bee Hive, this is a product that I saw lots of the beauty bloggers I follow raving about, and they weren't wrong!!!

If you want high pigmented lips then perhaps this isn't for you, Bee Hive gives me a lovely natural lip with added gloss meaning I only need one product instead of a lippie and a gloss on top, also a lot of the time as I have dark hair and fair skin a natural lip can wash me out but the pinkish undertones in this lipstick stop the washout look. This is by far my favourite natural looking lipstick but then again I don't own many due to my love of bright pinks and reds.

Would I recommend this product? Yes I love it, I have worn it to work everyday since buying it, maybe neutral lips is my new thing

17 can be found at boots stores across the UK

Blog Love
xxx

AWOL

Hello my lovelies...

Well I have been off the radar due to a very emotional and strained few weeks, add in to the mix a CV update and job hunting 2 hours a night and I'm as much use as a chocolate teapot (and still just as tasty according to the horseflies and mossies of this world) to anyone.

I'm hoping to resume normal service next week so please don't show me the door just yet...I'm still here I just needed some time

Blog Love
xxx

A staple in any household - E45 Cream

As a suffer of a multitude of skin problems my household is full of lotions and potions, some well loved some used once and now getting dusty in a draw somewhere.

There is one skim product that I would say everyone should own, that is E45

E45 is a great product for many skin conditions such as eczema...It is cheaper than a steroid cream and a lot healthier to, If used over a period of time a steroid cream will thin your skin if you then stop using the steroid cream and your skin has thinned this could lead to worse outbreaks of the problem. E45 is an emollient cream so unlike the steroid creams this is designed to soften the skin as it sooths, you can use this anywhere on to body, it is available in a variety of sizes from big tubs to keep on your dresser to small tubes to chuck in your bag.

My only complaint is that it isn't nice smelling, I cant describe the smell its not very appealing, I think its the paraffin that makes it smell strange as it is un-perfumed, other than that it is an amazing product and it keeps my hands lovely and soft.

I am not a dermatologist and this is merely my opinion, if you are suffering from a sever bout of eczema or any skin condition please consult your doctor

E45 is available in all good chemists and supermarkets

Blog Love
xxx

I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

NOTD Models Own Gun Metal Grey

Not a very summery shade I know but I fell for this polish because it matches my hematite (thanks for the name of it Pamela!) ring from Australia

Its a beautiful silver grey with a shimmer running through...Not glitter, I have stopped wearing glitter polishes at the moment because taking hem off is torture!!! This colour would suit a short style nail, mine are a mid length I would say.

I like this polish as it will last me a week matching every outfit I wear and as I have a busy week and no time to paint my nails that's perfect for me this week!!!

Blog Love
xxx

I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

FOTD Think Pink

I used to hate pink...I mean really hate pink....but lately where my makeup is concerned (not the clothes I have to say) I have started to think pink, getting girly and gorgeous...I feel like that sounds like something Gok Wan would say GIRLFRIEND!!! Haha

I have found Pink eye makeup makes my hazel eyes sparkle bright

Lets start with the face!

• I used Healthy Mix by Bourjois in 54 Beige, this is my favourite foundation at the moment and as I have a fake tan I needed the 54 (I usually use a 52 Light Vanilla) I am so in love with this product, best thing I have tried with my recent skin issues, and believe me I have tried a tone...In fact I have more foundations than a small country!!! 
• elf Tone Correcting concealer in Honey, I don't know why I ever brought such a dark concealer, this is the first time I have used it in all the time I have had it (It was in my first elf order!!!) Slightly darker than my foundation but I like it and for £1.50 cant go wrong!!! Plus all my others are too light!!!
• followed with a dusting of 17 Shine Control Loose Powder, I love that this doesn't go cakey on my face it is so lightweight and perfect for everyday...A truly fantastic bargain product and better than any HD powder in my opinion (this might be down to my skin issues as HD highlights all my flaws!!!).
• On my cheeks I used elf Mineral Blush in Coral, I forgot how much I used to enjoy this product, its really subtly beautiful, not the most bold of blushes but I have to say really gives a beautiful natural glow
• As in my previous FOTD I used elf Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder Luminance as a highlight and the Matte bronzer as a contour, I like to think my contouring is getting better...Hope so.

On to the eyes!!

• Start where I always do...Primer, again I used my UDPP...This product will change your life, maybe that's a tad of an exaggeration...I am not saying if you buy this you will marry a young hot millionaire who is ripped!!!
• for my lid I used my Sleek Sunset pallet its the only pink in the pallet, bottom row far right, the sunset pallet is my favourite (at the moment) in my sleek collection just for the stunning range of summer colours, I brought one for my friends birthday and she loved it.
• I then used Models Own Loose Powder Eyeshadow in Rhubarb in my crease, its a kind of pinkish purple shimmer...very pretty and unique
• on my lower lash line and inner corner I used Models Own Loose Powder Eyeshadow in peach, another great product from Models Own works really well to brighten and widen the eyes.
• For my highlight I used my Sue Moxley Shade 1 Eyeshadow its a basic beige nothing exciting but does a great job without being too harsh like a white.
• My faithful elf cream eyeliner in black...Super staying power for these hot summer days.
• Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara, Its lush and really buildable.
• My brows as always using the 17 natural brown pencil (although they do not look good in this pic taken after 5 hours of wearing...Sorry!!!).

 Lets do the pout!!!

• I started using a lip primer a while ago by Sue Moxley Famous...I remember now why I stopped using it...It STINKS!!! It really smells awful clinical mixed with plastic...YUCK!!!
• Took off the above and put on elf's Plump and Prime, just the plump end...This doesnt have as much sting as some of the plump products I have used (Too Faced made me feel like my lips were being ripped from my face!!!) 
• Followed by elf Mineral Lipstick in Barely Bitten...Oooo mineral lipstick is fantabulous...It lasts and for a lipstick doesn't make my lips feel dried out.
• I then used a 17 freebee...if you spend over £6 at the moment you get a box with a polish, travel mascara and a gloss...I really like the gloss I didn't own a gloss like it and it brings down the redness of the lipstick...Its called Ultimate Volume Gloss in Pink Ice

And there you have it...My FOTD...I hope you enjoy it!!!

Oh and just one for luck...This photo made me laugh

Models own available here
Eyeko available here
Elf available here
17 and Urban Decay available UK wide in Boots stores
Famous by Sue Moxley and Sleek available UK wide in Superdrug stores
Bourjois widely available in most chemists and supermarkets

Blog Love
xxx

FOTD Summer Sunshine

Oooo my it was a scorcher yesterday!!! Summer is definitely here my sweets and its time to get those colours popping!!!

If you have been reading my posts for a while you will know I love coral, and it really is perfect for the weather we are having, I am feeling very adventurous with my make up at the moment and I think it is paying off (well most of the time!!!)

I did this look for a night out, I'm sure it could be toned down for a day time look but my day looks blur in to night, what can I say I love to walk in to work and shock people (in a good way I would hope) with my make up!!!

for this look I used

• a mix of 17 skin perfecting shine free foundation, in biscuit and Rimmel sun shimmer instant tan in sun bronze, I find this such a cost effective base for when I am tanning as my face never goes as dark as the rest of me...If anyone can help me with this that would be fab!!!
• 17 (I'm loving the 17 range at the moment great improvements made) shine control loose powder which is a translucent, great summer product, keeps away the slick look that you can get but still leaves the glow of your foundation.
• Another 17 product!!! (Boots you are my playground!!!) 17 blush and glow in peaches and cream, this has become a staple item in my makeup routine of late, it is subtly gorgeous and if you build it up it gives a wonderful glow, I use in on my cheek bones, found it doesn't really work on the apples when I have a tan.
• Elf luminance healthy glow bronzing powder as a highlight on the tops of my cheek bones, down my nose, on my chin anywhere the sun would hit...I reviewed this a few weeks ago, you can find it here
• Elf matte bronze healthy glow bronzing powder, used sparingly as a contour for the cheeks...I'm still getting used to this product and find some days its good some days its too much...I need to get it right though as I know I can!!!
• elf Warm bronze for my temples and the apples of my cheeks, perfect to add a bit of depth to my fake tan.
• On to my eyes, as a standard I always prime my eyes with Urban Decay primer potion...What can I say, this should be a staple in every girls make up bag, primers are great for making your colours have that extra hit and stay on for longer.
• I used Models Own loose eyeshadows in proper copper  for my lid, metallic coral for my crease and pale peach for my inner corners, these loose powders are fantastic, I would compare them with Urban Decay, they are super pigmented and come in so many fabulous popping colours, just like their polishes (you may be able to spot a few in the back of my photo!!!).
• As a brow bone highlight I used Famous by Sue Moxley in shade 1 (I hate it when companies are too lazy to name their products!!!) it is one on my favourite staples as it is a nice light beige so not as harsh as a stark white. 
• Elf cream eyeliner in black...again a product I love, really easy to apply and stays put on my watery eyes.
• Eyeko big eyes mascara...I blogged this the other week also (you can find it here) and have noticed that my eyelashes look and feel healthier using this mascara, It really has improved my little stumpy lashes.
• For my brows I used 17 eyebrow shaper in natural brown, some think my brows are too dark but I love a strong looking brow...Opinions???
• on my lips I had my first try of a models own lippie...I used coral, use it wisely it is really orangey but totally on trend and absolutely stunning with a tan, its a really nice smooth textured matte lipstick that lasted quite well.

Slightly long winded but feel if I'm telling you what I'm using you need some detail right

Models own available here
Eyeko available here
Elf available here
17 and Rimmel available UK wide in boots stores
Famous by Sue Moxley exclusive to Superdrug

Blog Love
xxx

A Shower of Appreciation

I was having a shower this morning (too much information???) and I thought to myself why have I never reviewed my shower cream before...I bloomin well love it and haven't changed it in like 8 months (very unlike me)!!!

The product is called Clean Girls by Soap and Glory

This stuff is lush!!! This is just simply put the best shower cream on the planet...FACT...If you don't have it here is why you need it...

The packaging is perfectly divine (and large at 500ml)...It is cute and funny and when you read it it sounds like its talking to you like a friend would...for example this is a waring on the pack 'people may have sung songs about when soap gets in your eyes, but we wouldn't recommend getting experimental on us (this isn't the '60s)'
How blooming cute is that!!! Next it smells divine a heady flowery aroma with a hint of vanilla, it also has moisturising qualities with its 'built in moisture matrix' which means if you are in a rush (aka every work morning) you don't necessarily need to spend time moisturising, and lastly it is slightly pearlised (is that a word...I'm not sure it is) which gives your skin a slight glow, this might be down to the moisturisers but I don't know.

If I was to rate this product I would give it a perfect 10...I basically love it and cant see myself using anything else...ever...

Soap and Glory is available in the UK from Boots stores and costs £5.50 ...Get down and get some before I hoard a lifetimes supply!!!

Blog Love
xxx

I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

Becoming a Models Own Junkie

I have said it before and I'll say it again I love my models own polishes...I really do

This week I was pleased to receive my latest order 5 polishes and 5 eyeshadows

I ordered  from left to right
Polishes
Fuzzy Peach
Jade Stone
Lemon Meringue
Green Tea
Raspberry crush
Eyeshadows
Metallic Lavender
Copper
Pale Peach
Purple Sky
Rhubarb

So far this week I have used 3 of the polishes and all of the eyeshadows...The Models Own polishes never cease to amaze me they are so beautiful and bright, the selection is just so versatile and different.

Here I wear Lemon Meringue...This would look amazing with a tan

And my power polish for a meeting on Monday, something to knock 'em dead Raspberry Crush

This colour is a definite winner and the perfect accompaniment to my black high waisted pencil skirt


Blog Love
xxx

I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

Revlon Photo Ready

Now there was a lot of hype about this foundation and I'm probably the millionth person to review this product but my recent experience with it has prompted me writing about it.

Over the last few weeks I have been experiencing some extreme acne due to my recent B12 shots and make up has been a massive issue and torture for me because my skin is in overdrive. One of the worst experiences I had was with Photo Ready which is normally a product I love, it usually leaves me with a flawless finish which evens out my skin and gives it a dewy glow, but, and its a big but any sign of spots or dry skin and this foundation is just awful...strong word I know.

Basically if your skin is in great condition this foundation is amazing, if you are like I am at the moment and have dry flaky skin that is suffering outbreaks of acne with an oily t-zone then I just wouldn't bother, it splits and cracks on your dry skin, and if you have oily skin it separates it does cover the redness of spots but almost enhances them drawing attention to them with the slight shimmer to the foundation.

I think once my acne clears up in a few weeks I will give it another go as I did love it before now, until then I think I may be on to a winner with Bourjois healthy mix, Its a little early to review at the moment but so far so good.

You can buy  photo ready from most pharmaceutical shops or supermarkets in the UK such as Boots for an RRP of £12.99

Blog Love
xxx

I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

NOTD - Eyeko Cosmic

I am new to the Eyeko polishes and this is my first proper wear of one of the cult classic selection I brought. For £14.00 you get 5 polishes in this set and this was my favourite choice out of them all. I have never seen anything like it before (I have possibly been living the the shadows but hey ho)

I love the variety of sparkles in this black opaque polish, they are tiny particles in a rainbow of colours. Although with this polish I experienced some drag and it wasn't quite the consistency I like (slightly watery definitely need at least 2 coats maybe 3) but it looks absolutely stunning so the pay off is worth the extra effort!!!

Look how stunning it is under a flash, this is 2 coats...no top coat...I didn't have time :0(

 This polish is definitely cosmic, great for a night out or as an alternative to a plain black nail...

Eyeko polishes are available here for £3.50 each or in sets of 5 (cosmic is in cult classics) for £14.00 http://www.eyeko.com/

Blog Love
xxx

L'oreal Perfect Clean

This is a product that I wasn't sure I would like...But it is gaining favor with me!!!

It comes with a scrublet which is the part I was dubious about, can a bit of rubber really help deep clean your pores and minimise them??? I have noticed a reduction in the hideous black heads, whether this is down to the formula or the scrublet??? I cant be sure at the moment

I chose to get the foaming gentle scrub, exfoliating for all skin types as I suffer with dry and oily patches. It smells beautiful, like mango's and really wakes me up. So how do you use this strange item...well the scrublet comes attached to the container and to get it out you just pop it from the back, you then (after wetting your face) apply some of the product to the scublet and work over the face in a circular motion then wash off your face and the scrublet and popping it back in its little hole on the bottle!

More on the scrublet...I was surprised by it, when you see it on the adverts it looks hard and abrasive and this is the reason I hadn't brought it sooner, but in actual fact it is really soft and flexible and does stimulate the face, I do however believe that this product would work just as well on its own and that the scrublet is just a fancy marketing tool.

Overall I really like this product and the scent, I'm not sure on its exfoliating properties...My go to exfoliator will always be St Ives I think!!!

Blog Love
xxx

The word scrublet is mentioned 7 times in this blog post, make that 8!!!
I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, this product was purchased with my hard earned pennies

New Followers!!!

Welcome all my New Followers!!! I don't know where you all came from suddenly but I'm really pleased to have you...Its really is worth doing!!!

I know that I am still in the small numbers but I love that I have hit the 20's!!!

If you are reading this and not a follower please do follow its simple and easy to do and blogger will keep you up-to-date with all my posts!!!

Blog Love
xxx

NOTD - Models Own Lilac Dream

I'm not sure this should be nail of the day but nail of the week...I don't change my polish daily so like them to be long lasting.

I have been in love with the Models Own polishes for a few months now and have to say this is my favourite of their range so far, I have a few other lilacs from other brands but nothing can beat this one, the amount that people complement me on this never fails to make me feel even stronger about it!!!

This is 3 coats (plus base and top) and it is beautiful, long lasting with very little drag, it is my perfect pastel for spring/summer to wear with my flowery vests and dresses for an extremely girly season!!!

Models Own Polishes are £5 each and available at Boots (3 for 2 at the moment!!!) or here: https://www.modelsownit.com/nails.html

Blog love
xxx

I am not affiliated wit Models Own, This product was brought with my hard earned pennies