How to Rock a Red Lip This Party Season....if you are pale!

It's the party season & it seems the vital makeup accessory is the red lip, however, if you are fair-haired & on the pale side, like myself, how do you wear it?  If you have the confidence of Gwen Stefani or the hollywood glamour of Marilyn Monroe then fine, but for something that could take you from office to cocktail bar, you need to get the colour just right. 

And, I think I've found it! 

It comes in the form of 'Pretty Boy' by MAC.  It is a very wearable cremesheen formula - perfect for these winter months where your lips need as much moisture as possible.  The red colour does have orange & pink tones in the bullet but once applied comes across as a classic red which can be built up from sheer to a more solid colour. 

This lipstick is ideal for pale skin with it being so buildable.  It is so easy to apply & wear that you can get away without wearing lip liner; it doesn't bleed - It definitely won't make you look like you have been scoffing jam doughnuts!! (smeared jam is NOT a good look!)

Perfect! 

A wonderful red lip which gives stunning results day or night! (oh, & it lasts....it took me ages to remove when I swatched it for this post!)

Head over to MAC now & check it out - you will be party ready in no time! 

Whats your ideal party makeup?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x 
  

My Winter Essential: Keeping my feet cosy courtesy of Marks & Spencer!

It's that time of year when all you want is to keep cosy & warm!  And yes, it is winter, so what is pretty essential in your winter wardrobe?  Yep, boots! 

Now, I do already own long boots, but it was a pair of ankle boots that I was after. 

I am quite tall, (hovering between 5'7" & 5'8") so I don't really need any help in the height department & I must admit, me walking in heels is all very ridiculous, so sensible flats were the order of the day!

So, on a recent shopping trip to Marks & Spencer, I spied some gorgeous black biker style boots.  I found that they also do them in a lovely taupe colour but I thought black would be best as they would go with everything.  

I tried them on.  They fitted like a dream! 

The boots have a lovely fur-like trim inside the ankle to make them extra snuggly & so they are really comfy they have something called Insolia Flex which is endorsed by the UK college of Podiatrists to insure comfort & correct positioning of your feet.  

And... at only £29.50, they were a great price point too! 

They seem to go with every outfit - I think they will be welded to my feet throughout winter! 

Perfect! 

Now, about that taupe pair.......!

What's your winter essential?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x 

Discovering Volume with John Frieda

As you will probably know from reading my blog, I like to find new products to help with my hair!  Well, I have found another saviour (see my previous post - 'My Current Hair Saviours') & it comes courtesy of John Frieda!

I recently received this in a beauty box & I have not looked back.  It is incredible!

This 'wonder potion' is the 7-Day Volume In-Shower Treatment in the John Frieda Luxurious Volume range.  I have the 100ml size which is currently priced on the Boots website at £9.99.

So, all you have to do is shampoo & condition your hair as normal & then apply 3-4 pumps all over your hair & leave about 3-5 minutes before rinsing off. 

The treatment is packed full of protein & keratin goodness & keeps your hair volumized for up to 7 days.

And its true! 

I was instantly impressed from the very first wash.  You don't reapply this product until at least your third wash & to be honest, you don't need to.  It really does keep your hair feeling thick & full. 

And that, is exactly what I'm looking for! 

What's your favourite hair treatment?  Let me know! 

Bee x   

The Contents of my Face: My Look for Autumn

It's that time of year when I start to look a bit pale - yes, I know, paler than usual!  If I haven't been tanning in the summer, I still do have a bit of a glow in those months.  But, as soon as the colder weather hits, I start to lose a bit of that 'glow'.  As regular readers will know, I posted earlier in the year 'The Contents of my Face: My Daily Makeup Routine'.  So, for this time of year I thought I'd let you know about a couple of additions to this.  ('The Contents of my Face' will be a regular feature in this blog I think!) 

And here they are - 

First up, on my recent trip to America, I was practically surrounded by Walgreens & Duane Reade's - America's version of Boots or Superdrug here in the UK.  I made the odd trip here & there while in New York for various bits & pieces.  When I headed to Memphis, I spied another huge Walgreens & decided I needed a bit of 'Milani' makeup in my life!  I've heard a bit about this brand so I wanted to try it.

Now, as I say, in the cooler months, we need (or I need!) a bit of colour in our cheeks!  So, the Milani Baked Blush does not disappoint.  I went for the shade 05 Luminoso.

  A stunning peach with a bit of shimmer.  It has an amazing colour payoff, so I dare say this product will last me ages as you only need a tiny amount. 

 The gold packaging has an expensive look about it, is neat & compact, & also contains a cute little mirror & brush inside.  

It really does give the right amount of warmth to your face for this time of year. 

Onto the other favourite for Autumn & actually all year round, is the Sleek Face Form Contouring & Blush Palette.

I purchased this kit in the shade Fair.  In this set you get 20g of product, a matte contour shade, an illuminating highlighter & a shimmery blusher.

The contour shade is perfect for sculpting your cheekbones & giving your face a general definition.
The highlighter is just stunning & so beautiful.  It certainly gives the highlighters by Becca a run for their money! 
And finally the shimmery blusher.  A definite dupe for the famous Nars blush, but a lot cheaper!  A lovely warm pink with flecks of gold.  A perfect natural shade which goes with practically any makeup look.  And of course, wearable for Autumn! 

If you haven't tried Sleek makeup before, you should.  Great value for money & this little set is really great for travelling too. 

Do you change up your look in Autumn?
What products do you think I should try?  
I'd love to know! 

Bee x   

What I bought in New York - Sephora / Bath & Body Works

It's been ages since I last blogged! Sorry! I will try to get back in the swing of things!  My day job as you will already know is as a mobile beauty therapist, so as we get towards the end of the year I am getting busier, but I will try my best to blog as much as I possibly can! (promise!)

Anyway, back to today's blog.  Back in September I went on what can only be described as a trip of a lifetime!  I went to New York & Memphis, Tennessee!  Both places are extremely different but incredibly amazing.  I would go back to both in a heartbeat!

And of course, when you are on holiday, you always bring a few purchases back with you.....or at least, I do! 

So, yes, I got a few things & amongst the various bits & bobs I managed to accumulate were, of course, a few beauty buys from that beauty 'mecca' Sephora! And of course, while in New York I couldn't escape (as well as Sephora) Bath & Body Works!

I absolutely fell in love with Bath & Body Works! Why on earth is this shop not in the UK?

So, lets dive in to the shop of dreams.....

I decided to get mini things due to weight & getting them back home.  To start with I bought shower gels in the mini 88ml versions.  
I bought - 
Japanese Cherry Blossom - one of the best smells ever! 
Warm Vanilla Sugar - a lovely sweet comforting vanilla smell.
And finally - Pretty as a Peach - really gorgeous. You can really smell fresh peaches in this. 
Can't wait to use all of these!  They all contain Shea Butter & Vitamin E; a super moisturising formula.

Onto the huge range of hand sanitizers!  I never knew that anti-bacterial hand gel could smell so nice! 
In the shop they had an offer on for 5 minis, or as they call them 'pocketbac' (29ml) & I love an offer, so why not?

I got -
(again) Japanese Cherry Blossom 
I Donut Care - amazing smell of doughnuts! (who would have thought, in an anti-bac?!)
Copacabana Coconut - literally smells like a Pina Colada!
Pumpkin Berry Crumble - sweet & lovely 
& finally, Coconut Pumpkin Latte - totally gorgeous!

So, as you can tell, I absolutely love all of these & I also bought a little sparkly gold holder to put a pocketbac in.  You then clip it to your bag strap, so its always at easy access. Genius! 

Finally, I purchased 2 candles.  I would have loved to have bought more candles, especially the 3 wicks, but I was worried again about getting them back.  I would have been devastated if they had broken.
As Bath & Body Works Autumn range was already in full swing, the scents were amazing.  The 2 mini candles I purchased were Pumpkin Pecan Waffles & Pumpkin Apple.  Both again, wonderful scents. The Pumpkin Pecan Waffles had a lovely sweet & comforting scent to it & the Pumpkin Apple does really smell of fresh apples. I can't wait to start burning them - I've resisted so far - I wish they were 3 wicks so they would last longer! 

Onto Sephora.  On a side note, there are so many Sephoras in NY!  Obviously, I wasn't going to miss a snoop around at least one! 

So, heres the low down on my purchases....

Firstly, I had heard so many good things about Sephora's own range & especially their masks.  So, I picked up Sephora's Anti-Fatigue (I need this!) & Energizing Pomegranate sheet face mask, their Perfecting & Brightening Pearl sheet face mask, their sheet eye masks in (again) Pomegranate & also the Moisturising & Soothing Lotus.  I'm really looking forward to trying these - I can't believe I haven't so far!  I feel a pamper night coming on....! 

Lastly, I purchased 2 mascaras.  I bought a sample size of Urban Decay's Perversion mascara & also Clinique's Bottom Lash mascara.  
The Urban Decay mascara is very good but you do have to be very careful how you apply it as it does seem to have quite a wet consistency.  Has anyone found this or is it just me?
Clinique's Bottom Lash mascara though is fab!  And perfect for me as I always seem to smudge my mascara on my bottom lashes! It has the tiniest of brushes so no mistakes are possible! (Even for me!)

So, yep, that's my roundup of the beauty buys from New York.  If you are ever in the Big Apple & fancy a trip to Bath & Body Works or Sephora, be careful, you may get a little carried away!! 


Bee x 


  

More 'Forever' Aloe Vera Products On Test

Recently, I was asked to test out some Aloe Vera products by 'Forever'.  I'd already been gifted a couple of products from this brand (see my reviews here) & so, I was very interested to see what else this 'wonder plant' could come up with!   I was given a huge basket of goodies & this is what I managed to try out in the space of time I was given....

Here goes....

Aloe-Jojoba Shampoo & Conditioning Rinse

I have to say, I was a bit skeptical as to if this would leave my hair looking any good.  I'm very fussy with what goes on my hair & having had a few problems with my hair in the past, I wasn't sure if I would like this.
Well, I was wrong!
The shampoo lathered up really well & the conditioning rinse had a great consistency. 
The end result?  It made my hair feel soft, shiny & very bouncy - I could almost see myself in a L'oreal advert! 
Try them!  You maybe pleasantly surprised! 

Aloe MSM Gel

I do suffer from time to time with a bad back & I've used MSM in the past, so I thought I'd give this a try.  Now, I don't know if my back is too bad or I didn't give this enough of a go.  It went on fine but not sure I got too much relief.  I think maybe if I had had longer, it might have made a difference.

Aloe Lotion & Aloe Moisturising Lotion

To be honest, I couldn't tell much of a difference between these two but they both did a very good job.
I have very dry hands, so applying these lotions, really moisturised them well, leaving them super soft.
Very pleased! 

Forever Aloe Scrub

Used this Aloe scrub in the shower.  I always use a facial scrub while I'm conditioning my hair.  If I leave it in the shower, it keeps me up to date with my exfoliating routine. 
This scrub did leave my skin feeling very soft & super clean. 
The only drawback was....I really didn't like the smell!  But, if you can get over that, definitely go for this.  It does make your skin feel very clean. 

Aloe Hand & Face Soap

Well, I started this review with one of my favourites out of this Aloe Vera bundle & now I'm ending with another favourite! 
I absolutely loved this! 
It reminded me of a liquid soap my mum used to use on me as a child.  I don't know the name of it, but it was very 'pearly' & 'shimmery' & lathered up really well.  And this does exactly the same! 
I'm not sure I would use this on my face, but it felt lovely on my hands & again, they felt very soft.

So, if I was going to purchase any of these products, it would definitely be between the hair products & the hand & face soap.

Have you tried any Forever Aloe Vera products?  What were your thoughts?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x 

My JULY Favourites!

We are into August, but here is my favourites from last month...

A Tattoo From Maybelline...

How could I not include Color Tattoos from Maybelline?  I reviewed them in my last blog post here & if you read it (I hope so!), you will know that I absolutely loved them!  They make your eyes look amazing with hardly any effort.  

Definite winner! 



Rimmel Lippie...

Now, I love a good nude lipstick, but I have to be careful, as if I go too pale with my colouring, I could look like what you would find on a mortuary slab!  So, its all about getting the right shade. 

I tend to stick to the pinky 'my lips but better' nudes but this time I went for a beige peachy '1960's' tone & I came across one from Rimmel in the Kate Moss collection.  And I must say Ms Moss picked very well with her range & number 43 seemed the perfect shade for me.  It's a really lovely colour, as I've already said & goes on very well & lasts quite a while.  A lovely creamy feeling & smells gorgeous - like sweets!  A great price point too at only £5.49 - whats not to love?


A Bit Of Sunshine From Olay...

So, I know I just said in my Rimmel lipstick review that I am a tad on the pale side, but I have been trying to get a bit of glow back in my face.  I know we're experiencing a bit of sun this summer in England but I haven't been on away on holiday yet, so I've had no time to 'full on' sunbathe, so I have to resort to the fake variety!  And this is where my next favourite comes in.  It's Everyday Sunshine by Olay.  It's an oldie but definitely a goodie!  I reach for it every summer without fail!

The shade I currently have is light (if I'm tanned I go for 'deep' to emphasize my tan) & it's great to give your skin a bit of a warm up & glow.

It contains SPF15 which is a plus too - its so important to protect your skin!  It glides on easy, feels wonderful on your skin & just smells of holiday!  

I will always love this!  More than just a moisturiser!

Forever Soft Lips...

I have reviewed this before (see here), so I won't go on but just to say it is still going strong & I love it! 

It's the Forever Aloe Lips with Jojoba which was gifted to me. 

With Aloe Vera, Beeswax & Jojoba, it keeps my lips super soft.  It's perfect & that is why it had to be included as a favourite this month - I just keep reaching for it!

And finally....

Brightening My Eyes With Origins

In a fairly recent beauty box, I received a little 5ml sample of Origins Ginzing eye cream.

I love beauty boxes - they are packed full of mini samples of beauty items you probably always wanted to try but don't want to fork out for the full size product incase you don't like it!   So this gives you a great opportunity to test them out.

So, back to the eye cream.  I'd always wanted to try the Origins Ginzing range but wondered if I wouldn't like it.  Well, this eye cream didn't really disappoint.

As it says on the packaging - it is refreshing on the skin.  It also promises to brighten & depuff.  The skin around my eyes isn't really puffy but is very dark & this cream did brighten it up a bit.  I do think that if I got the full size product & used it over a longer period of time, I would definitely notice a difference.

I will say though, that it does feel wonderful on my skin & really does wake up my eyes in the morning! 

A lovely product.


So, what did you love in July?  Have you tried any of these items before?  I'd love to know!

Bee x  

A Tattoo I Can Change Every 24 Hours! - Maybelline New York Color Tattoos

Why has it taken me so long to try out these?  I don't really know, but I'm glad I did! 

I can tell you straight away that the 24hr Color Tattoos by Maybelline are AMAZING!  

I try not to make life too difficult for myself (I don't always accomplish this, by the way!) & this includes makeup.  And these eyeshadows definitely do make it easy.  Would you like a wash of colour that looks stunning & takes zero effort?  I think so! 

They are so easy to apply as they are a gel-cream formula.  You can pop some on with your finger & blend or use your regular eyeshadow brush.  And believe me they do not budge! Hence the name Tattoo!  (It took me a while to remove the swatches off my hand for this blog post - they don't move!)

There are a mixture of matte & shimmer colours in the collection & I'm definitely partial to a bit of shimmer!  So, the colours I currently have are -
35 - On and On Bronze
65 - Pink Gold
15 - Endless Purple

The colour pay off is wonderful & once on the lid, the effect is stunning (you could use as a base for other colours too - they are very like MAC Paint Pots) - no one will ever know it only took you a few seconds to apply!  Definitely a good 'on the go' shadow!

The price point is not bad too, as the amount of product you get for your money will last you quite a while. 

So, have I convinced you yet to buy these?  I think so! 

On a side note, I'm late to the party yet again - I finally purchased Maybelline's Lash Sensational Mascara.  A lovely brush & easy to apply, but I'm still undecided if it is as amazing as everyone says.  It has been good but not sure if it is really outstanding....
Hmm...the jury is still out! 

So, that is it from me for now...till next time!

Bee x   

'Lemon Thai' - Thai Kitchen & Coffee Bar in Ross on Wye, Herefordshire

You know that moment when you think, 'why didn't I visit here sooner?' - yep, I thought that a couple of weekends ago, when looking for somewhere to have lunch.

With dietary requirements as picky as mine (I'm sorry, its not my fault, honest!), there are always limitations & I didn't realise there was a place suitable for me right on my doorstep!  It's the 'Lemon Thai' in Ross on Wye (that rhymes!) - it's a Thai kitchen & coffee bar.  They also do takeaway.  And so for me, they are perfect - their ingredients are gluten & dairy free!

I went for the Thai Yellow curry & it was delicious!   It was brimming with fresh ingredients of sweet & new potatoes, baby corn, onions & sugar snap peas.

I had a friend with me & she went for Dang Thai noodles - a very yummy bowl full of beetroot, chilli & greens, all enveloped in a fragrant sauce. 

The presentation of both dishes was wonderful & highly professional, as were the staff - extremely attentive & friendly.  The kitchen too is in sight of the dining area, which is so reassuring, as you can see what is being prepared right in front of you.   

Lemon Thai is a real gem in Ross & I'm so happy to have found a place that caters for my needs.  I'll definitely be back - if I had my way I'd be lunching there everyday! 

If you live in or around the Ross on Wye area, check them out (you can follow them on Facebook too).  I can assure you, you won't be disappointed! 

Just fancy some rice noodles now....

Bee x   

MY JUNE FAVOURITES!

June has disappeared & we are into July!  But, before last month becomes a distant memory, I will share with you my 'June Joys'! 

Here goes!

Summer MAC Lippie...

Since 2016 has been the year of purchasing MAC products for me, of course, I must mention a new favourite lippie.  It's the shade Flamingo!  

It's a lustre finish so quite sheer when applied, (don't be put off by how bright it looks in the bullet) but you can build it up.  It's a true summery shade, a lovely corally pink & feels very comfortable on the lips. 

Bronzing Goodness from Bourjois...

I've used this bronzer for quite a while now, but I'd given it a bit of a break & tried other brands.  But, of course, I've eventually succumbed & repurchased this.  It's perfect!  It's the Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder.  My shade is no. 51 & is perfect for my skin tone.  I love the chocolate bar packaging & obviously the gorgeous chocolate smell! Delicious!! 

In my opinion, it is one of the best bronzers on the market.  Definitely check it out & the other varieties in the range.  It's affordable & one you will be reaching for all this summer! 


Mermaid Brushes...

As you will probably know, I am a huge fan of the Real Techniques brushes, but there is another brand that has caught my eye!  Spectrum!   They are beautiful! 

I received a blusher brush in a beauty box, started using it & absolutely loved it.  A perfect shape to add a pop of colour to your cheeks & super soft.

I recently went to the Beauty UK show (I'm a mobile beauty therapist by day!) & Spectrum had a stand there.  So, I thought I'd try out their eyeshadow brushes & wasn't disappointed. They are so soft, perfect for applying & blending & just so pretty in perfect mermaid colours! (If you buy a set of brushes, they come in a cute seashell bag!) 

I have A06, A08 & A18 (so far!)

They are just really lovely brushes & a great price too. Great value for money.  

Kipling Bags...

So, over recent years, I've built up a bit of a collection of Kipling bags.  Not many purchased by me though!   Most have been given to me by my auntie & my mum!  The latest one was again given to me by my wonderful mum & I adore it! (Thanks again mum if you are reading!)

I love the practicality of Kipling bags.  They have really wearable fabric, so I never have to worry about getting my bag wet or dirty, as you can wash them.  Kipling always have lots of pockets for all your essentials, come in a range of colours, have sturdy zips (they originally did luggage, & still do, so the zips are brilliant!) & are just excellent! 

The bag my mum gifted me is the 'Deena' & perfect for everyday.  It's in black, so goes with everything & again has lots of pockets for your phone, purse, sunglasses & makeup.  It's a cross-body style too, so very comfortable to wear. Great for travelling.

If you have never tried Kipling bags before, definitely check them out.  There is a style for everyone's taste - find them on their website (kipling.com), QVC or their own store & some independent stores stock them too. 


New coffee...

I was after a new coffee for my cafetiere, so in my local Morrisons I spied some Taylors of Harrogate coffee.  I was sure I'd tried theirs before but I'd never purchased it myself.  

I decided to go for their Brasilia version.  It's a 'lively' flavour (as it says on the packaging!), a medium to rich roast with a slight chocolatey flavour & is delicious!

 

Definitely one to repurchase. 

Right, that's my favourites for the month of June - so I'm off to grab another cuppa! 

Bee x 

The Contents of my Face: My Daily Makeup Routine (Or 'Dash Out the Door' Look!)

So, you go to bed with good intentions; you will wake up early, so you can spend more time on your makeup, right?  And what happens?  You either oversleep or spend too much time checking the internet or eating breakfast!

I seem to do all of the above!  Therefore, I thought I would share my makeup routine if I'm dashing off to work.  I must say it varies slightly depending on what products I use, but I've managed to get it down to 11 minutes - & that is quick for me! 

So, here goes...

After my skincare, I apply my base.  Currently its a BB cream instead of foundation, as for day to day & for work I generally prefer a lighter base during these summer months.  So, at the moment I'm using Dead Sea Spa Magik Diamond Range Beauty Balm in Natural with an SPF of 15.  I apply this with my Real Techniques stippling brush & buff it in. 

Then, I apply & blend in my NYX dark circle concealer (sometimes I do this before my base) with my fingers under my eyes to hide my horrendous dark circles & scar by my left eye.  I sometimes also add & blend in some of my Maybelline Eraser Eye concealer too. 

I then run some mineral powder under my eyes to set my concealer in place.  My current fave is by Primark! (see why here)

Next, I mattify my face with good old Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in 001 Transparent (have used this since forever!) with my Real Techniques powder brush.

To brighten up my face a bit, I use various bronzers, but my current favourite is Bourjois bronzing powder in 51.  Perfect for contouring my cheeks & giving me a general glow.  I use, of course, (you guessed!) a fabulous Real Techniques brush to apply this.

For adding a bit of colour to my cheeks I apply a lovely blusher with (currently!) a different brush other than the wonderful Real Techniques - a very pretty brush by Spectrum!  My favourite blush (& now of all time!) & the one I tend to use more often than not is by NARS.  I received it in a beauty box & absolutely loved it, so I will definitely be purchasing a full size version.  I honestly think I won't ever need another blush....ever!!   And I'm sure you have guessed which one!!   

For highlight, I tend to use Golden Lights by Makeup Revolution, which I pop on the top of my cheekbones & under my brow bone. (see my review of this product here)  

Now, as I say, this is a 'dash out the door' look, so I don't spend much time on my eyes, but to make them look alive (other than concealer!), I firstly apply my Hi-Impact Brows brow powder to my eyebrows (I use the lighter shade), then set them with my clear Rimmel Brow This Way brow gel (which is looking truly disgusting right now!).

After that, I skip eyeshadow (no time!) & apply black eyeliner to my inner waterline & smudge.  I usually use Barry M's kohl liner.  My eyeliner I guess, is my signature look & my security blanket - I'm not 'me' if I'm not wearing it!

In the inner corner of my eyes I apply a little white eyeliner by Rimmel.  This is a trick I learnt years ago (you can use nude if you prefer) - it makes you look wide awake! And it definitely does! 

I then add a quick sweep of mascara.  At the moment I'm using a sample of Givenchy's  Noir Couture Volume Mascara in Black Taffeta (it's lovely by the way!).

Last, but by no means least, I grab a tinted lip balm or lipstick.  It could be anything!  Today, it was 'Modesty' by MAC.

And that's it!   

It may sound a lot, but it honestly takes me just a few minutes.

What do you use to make yourself look presentable if you only have minutes to spare?  I'd love to know! 

Bee x