Bloggers Secret Valentine

With valentines day done and dusted for another year (I'm secretly rather glad) I thought I would share my goodies I received from Jess who runs the cutely named blog 'Dungaree's and Donuts.'  I've followed Jess on bloglovin since last December if you haven't checked out her blog…do. Lifestyle, beauty and fashion posts there really is something for everyone. After taking part in the 'Blogger's secret santa' last December I couldn't wait to be involved in something similar, the bloggers secret valentine was kindly organised by the lovely Vicky and Laura, we all had a budget of £15.

Thank you Jess, I really do love everything I got. Jess went for a pink theme (very vday appropriate.) I received a Revlon nail file, which is great for my handbag as I'm forever biting chipping my nails -Oh and did I mention it's pink and glittery-sold.

 I also received the Collection Volume mascara, I've previously mentioned on my blog my love for a big brush, and boy does this have a big brush. You can really build with this it coats all of your lashes and lengthens I'm really enjoying using this at the moment.

 I love Barry M nail polishes so much, I own nearly every shade except this one, the shade is 'Pink Flamingo' perfect pastel for spring I do love bright shades and this really compliments my skin tone.

Yogurt smoothie mask this sounds delicious, I can't wait to try this. I'm currently on a serum/mask free skin routine but as soon as March rolls around I can't wait to try this.

In all honest I got scared when I saw this lipstick it's a shade I'd usually be very daunted by. I can't thank Jess enough I absolutely love this, and it flatters my skin tone so much. This really brightens up my complexion and will look perfect for spring too. I love the formula very creamy, moisturising and pigmented I definitely want to try more from Barry M.

Thank you for my gifts Jess, I love everything. What did everyone get for valentines day? Have you tried any of the products I received? 

P.S Don't forget to enter my 300 followers giveaway lots of goodies up for grabs!

NARS Light Reflecting Setting Powder

Setting powders have always been an absolute essential in my daily makeup. Having oily skin it’s just needed. I have always preferred loose powders in appose to pressed, as I just find loose powders look more natural and less cakey on the skin (pressed powders do have their time and place though.)

I’ve always been more favourable to a ‘matte’ finish, so when the MUA at NARS presented the radiance loose powder I was a bit hesitant. What I really found helpful at NARS was how the lady applied products to one half of my face so I could see the visible difference the products do make, I prefer this rather than the slap and dash approach you see at some make up counters. Anyway, she used the tiniest amount on a large fluffy blush, down one half of my face and you could clearly see a difference for me it was a total revelation as I’m so used to matte powders. 

I apply this using my RT multi task brush, you only need to use the tiniest amount and this just brightens up your whole complexion, whilst setting your make up. The powder is fully translucent, it doesn’t make my skin appear ashy or washed out. However much you build with this you never get that cakey powdery look to the skin. This isn’t overly dewy, but this also doesn’t contain any glitter particles. I’m clueless as to how this does what it does. The perfect duo is NARS Sheer glow, and this powder applied over the top. I’ve also found this to work with my YSL foundations, BB creams and tinted moisturisers. 

I just really don’t know how to even explain this product but what I do know is I'm left with glowy (never oily) bright skin-which is just what I want! I do suffer from a dull complexion, with lots of pigmentation/scaring and I just find this to work so well at giving me ‘that glow’. I receive so many compliments and regularly get asked what skincare (shows how natural NARS products look on the skin) I’m using whenever I wear this powder. This has slowly become an everyday staple for me, matte powders seem to have taken a back seat for now. I can’t wait too see how this performs in summer. 

What are your favourite setting powders? Have you tried any NARS powders?

P.s I'm wearing this powder over Sheer glow in a picture here 

P.P.s Don't forget to enter my 300 followers giveaway lots of goodies up for grabs!

LUSH Prince Charming

Valentine's day is approaching ladies, still not found 'prince charming' never fear I've done the leg work for you. Yes he's small and pink but he smells real good he hangs around in the morning too, I do wish this wasn't limited edition. I seem to always fall for limited edition Lush things...

Prince Charming shower gel is from the valentines collection and is indeed limited edition. I took one whiff of this and had too purchase. Think sweeties, this definitely has something Soap and Glory esque about it. 'Vanilla and fresh pomegranate' anything vanillery is definitely a winner in my eyes, this just smells so gorgeous and I find the smell to really linger. I find with Lush shower gels you do tend to use a little more product to get a foam, but this really is a nice little shower time treat. 

For anyone that loves Snow Fairy,  Soap and glory products or sweet girly scents this shower gel is definitely for you. I just wish this wasn't limited edition as I think the current range at Lush is missing a scent like this one (this scent would be amazing in a body cream too.)

Have you tried any products from the Lush Valentines range? What's your favourite? Plans for V day? 

9 Things I love(d) Lately-London Edition #4

If you follow me on twitter, or instagram you may have noticed I took a long weekend break too the 'big smoke' or London as some may call it for a family party. I used to visit London on a regular basis as I have friends and family there, in all honesty I never usually enjoy visiting. I do think coming from a city that's relatively quiet and small (in comparison) does make London seem a little daunting -more recently though it's really grown on me. I'm the proud owner of an oyster card, I've perfected my 'bitch' face' and I've got my popeye arm all muscled up for some of that routine pushing and shoving (trust me it's the only way your getting on any tube in central London.) Me and my mum decided to make a weekend of it, and I truly enjoyed it, we don't get to spend much time together so I did enjoy the quality time…. (aw look at me all smushy!) 

Central London I stood watching this for ages just too see the Dior Spring collection ad // The underground makes me feel like a mole, stuffy sweaty stale air it definitely makes you appreciate surface life // NARS, not having a counter here I felt truly deprived as you can see I certainly made up for lost time // Cake, cake, cake I drooled at this window for around ten minutes before convincing mum that we just had too go in, this was near Oxford Circus I can't quite remember the name as I was obviously too distracted by cake…the cake was good! // Early morning walk by the River Thames // Me and Mum scrub up well // Tickets for Phantom even if you hate opera you must see this show it's the second time I've seen it and I was still completely mesmerised and blown away // So I discovered these in London, when I got home I also discovered that there about 3 times the price here! // At the retirement party I saw this band stand and panicked-but the band were fantastic the younger singer had an incredible voice they sung old motown classics (which I love) with a mix of chart music too they were brilliant 

Thoughts on London? Love it, hate it, live there…want to live there? 

P.s Don't forget to enter 300/400 giveaway over here!