Christmas Gifts featuring Gordans

So once again Christmas time is upon us. That time of year when we spend a fortune on gifts for our friends and family. I thought I would do a little mini series of different gift ideas without breaking the budget. Today I will focus on GordonsChemist.

Gordons chemist is a chemist in Northern Ireland and Scotland, but they have an online service that delivers throughout the UK and Ireland. Gordons constantly have offers on, whether it’s on false eyelashes or perfume. It is a shop that I love popping into, to see what bargains are knocking about. It is a guaranteed cert that I will leave with something.

Today I will be focusing on some of the Christmas make up gifts that they have on offer. 

The first one is the Academy of ColourLook Book, which is only £10.

This look book contains everything (bar foundation) that you need to create multiple looks, for whatever the occasion. It contains – wait for it- 15 baked eye shadow colours, 2 eyeliners, liquid eyeliner, 2 eye shadow dust colours, 6 lip-gloss palettes, two-tone blusher and 2 nail polishes. It also contains 2 make-up brushes, but these are the bog standard scratchy brushes that I wouldn’t advise to use. On the inside of the front cover, it gives a step by step guide detailing how to use everything in the look book.

The baked eyeshadows are laid out in 5 colour schemes, ranging from a light base colour to a darker crease colour. These colours have a fair pay off but applied wet or over a primer and they will be so much stronger. 

There are 3 eyeliners in this look book. 2 pencil and 1 liquid. The pencil liners are creamy and last a considerable amount of time on the waterline. The liquid liner has a thin nib and applies nice and evenly. 

The 2 tone blusher is more of a bronzer/blusher duo. The bronzer has a slight shimmer and is ideal for contouring the cheekbones or applying a nice glow all over the face. The pink is a lovely peachy/pink, which really brightened up the apples of my cheeks.

Overall I am very impressed with this look book and would have no problem giving it to my friends for a present. It’s handy the way everything is all together in one place and its ideal for girls just getting into make up. 

Next up is the Colour Couture's Smokey Eye Make-up book, which contains 4 eyeshadow colours that blend together so easily to create that sexy smokey eye. It also contains a black eyeliner and a mini mascara.

The make up book is just bigger than my hand which makes it the ideal size to throw in your handbag. The step by step guide on the inside cover, is great if you haven’t used 4 colours to create the smokey look before.  

I am working the day of my Christmas party, so I have to get ready at work. I will have this in my bag, along with a nude lipstick and some blusher, to get me ready from work make up to party make up. The best bit about this make-up book is the price. It is only £3.50 and is available from here. It’s great for a handbag, a car or even as a stocking filler this Christmas. 

Both of these make up  gifts and many more are available from Gordons's chemist, both instore and online.

 Sorry the pictures are a but rubbish. I have broken my camera and my friend was working until late, so when I borrowed hers it was too late for swatches. If you would like a look featuring any of these sets, just let me know. 

*These items were sent to me for consideration on behalf of Gordons Chemist. I am not being compensated for this post. I used the items and all thoughts are my own. As always I am being 100% honest.*

Life is too short

Sometimes we need to stop over analyzing the past, stop planning the future, stop figuring out precisely how we feel, stop deciding exactly what we want, and just see what happens

My life has taken such a turn in direction recently and for a while I was down about it. But you know what…life is too short! I believe that everything happens for a reason and that reason may take a while to figure out.

I thought that I wasn’t going to be happy for ages but I can honestly say I am the happiest I have been in a long time. I am finding myself as an individual again and I am loving every minute of it. For a long time, I think I was a more conservative version of myself but there is no holding back from now on.

Life is too short to worry about “what ifs” and “shoulda, woulda, couldas”. What is meant to be will be.

We only have one life so we should live it how we want. I am done with being something that I’m not. 

Remember Me??

Remember me?? Sorry for neglecting my blog again but life seemed to get in the way. A lot has happened since the last time I posted so I will take this chance to fill you all in on my drama filled life.

Weight – I have currently lost 12lb in total at Slimming World. I know that’s not a lot but it’s a good effort for me. I am going to be a lot stricter now in the run up to Christmas as I want to be as close to target as possible. Only 9lb left :)

Shopping – I really haven’t done much shopping lately, just a few bits and pieces here and there but nothing special. I am on a kinda spending ban at the minute as I am trying so hard to save money, and the reason for that will be revealed soon.

Work – I have been flat out at work doing as many extra hours as I can, in order to keep busy and save money. I am getting more responsibility at work and I am loving it at the minute.

Life – This is where the biggest change for me has happened. I am properly single for the first time in 4 years. It took a while adjusting to it but I can not be in a better place right now. I am loving life and the opportunities that I am getting now. I am done with mopping about feeling sorry for myself and I am all about finding the independent woman in me. I cant thank my friends, both in in real life and on Twitter for the help and support they gave me. I honestly could not have done it without them.

I do mean it this time when I say I am ready to come back. I might not be able to post as much as I like but I will make such an effort. I did miss you all, but for now I am back.

Thanks for sticking around xx

Nail of the day

I decided to sport a more neutral nail look this time, as recently I’ve been all about the brighter colours.

This time I used Models Own – Nude Beige and beautyuk – Gold.

I’ve been loving the accent nail colour so I decided to use the glitter on my pointer finger on my left hand and my ring finger on my right hand (just to mix it up a little).

What nail varnish combos are you wearing these days?

x

Slimming World

Slimming World

To be quite honest I was dreading my weigh in this week. I have done nothing but eat and eat rubbish at that, I need to get focused and try so much harder. Where oh where has my willpower gone?

This week I lost 2.5lb.

I am aiming to be down to 11st 6.5lb (which is 1 stone since my first weigh in) by the start of October. This gives me 2 weeks and 2 days to lose 3.5lb. Or just 2 weigh ins. I WILL do this so wish me luck.

Do you have any Slimming World snack ideas?! I need to stop munching.

x

Blogsale -MAC, Urban Decay, Illamasqua, Rimmel

Hi everyone, this is just a quick blogsale. I never reach for these items so I just thought they deserve a loving home. So here are the boring bits:

1.    UK and Ireland only

2.    Postage is £1.50 for the first item, then an additional 50p an item (to cover the cost of packaging and postage)

3.    Payment will only be accepted thought PayPal (preferably gifted to me)

4.    Sold as seen and no returns (sanitation is up to the buyer)

5. Just comment below with what you are after and leave your email address so I can mail you

6. If you feel the price is too high then make me an offer on Twitter or mail me on makeupandme@hotmail.co.uk

I think that’s all so lets get started…

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation – NW25

Used about 5 -6 times

£15

MAC Paintpot – Bare Study

Used about 5 times

£7

MAC Sheertone Blush – Pink Swoon

Slight dip in product

£8

MAC Sheertone Blush – Peaches

Used about 6 times

£10

MAC Eye Shadow – Faux Gold

Never opened

£10

MAC Eye Shadow Palette – 6 Beauties Play It Cool

Swatched once

£15

MAC Lipsticks

Usage as shown

Russian Red - £8

Saint Germain - £8

Chatterbox - £7

Frou - £7

Illamasqua Cream Blusher – The names rubbed off

Used about 10 times

£6

Topshop Blush

Used a few times each

Nutmeg and Flush

£3 each or 2 for £5

Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation – 400 Natural Beige

Used once

£4

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Comes with unused mini primer potion but NO brush

Some colours unused and some only used once

£24

Topman is a girls best friend

After seeing a number of people on YouTube “hauling” jewellery from Topman, I decided to have a little peek in when I was near it the other day. I have 2 things to say about this experience, 1) Do boys/men actually wear this jewellery?!

2) Why have I never gone before?!

All the sale jewellery was reduced to £1 each, which by Topshop standards is a complete steal. I picked up 8 items and the original RRP was £66. So here’s what I got…

Necklaces

RIng and Earrings 

I am definitely going to check out Topman jewellery on a more regular basis. Do you any of you shop in Topman?! Got any bargains??

x

Slimming World

This week I lost 1.5lb. I had to go to the evening weigh in this week, which played on my mind all day and for that reason I hardly ate. I know that’s bad but I was determined to lose weight after last week.

This week I thought I had a good week. I tried hard to stay on focus and hardly ate any rubbish. I didn’t drink any alcohol this week either. However…..I had a Pic’N’Mix at the cinema, a Starbucks at the weekend, a massive Bagel and a Crunchie at work. I also ate a lot of bread.

I will be better this week and I am going to write down everything I eat from Thursday to Tuesday.

Do you have any healthy Slimming World tips and recipes you would like to share?

x

Weekly Weigh In 15

Hey everyone, I’m back. I know it has been a while since I have blogged but I just have had a lot going on and I was enjoying my summer. Having said that I feel like I’m ready to make a return to the blogging world. It feels like I’m starting all over again and I would like to thank all my follows who stuck by my and waited.

In order to get back into the swing of things, I’ll start over with a wee quick Weekly Weigh-In.

Weight- As many of you know, if you have followed my blog for a while I have been trying to lose weight. In order to get myself in gear I joined Slimming World. I am finding it hard and easy at the same time. Some days I just want to eat everything in sight but I generally am good. I think I might start posting some recipes on here, as I am cooking so much more these days. I will update my weight every Wednesday as that is my weigh in day.

Shopping – Since my last blog post, I have bought a lot of make up and not so many clothes. Recently I have been getting obsessed with jewellery and have gathered up quite a bit in the last while. I may dig out what I can remember buying and share them all with you, as there was a few bargains.

Work – For the first time in a very long time, I now only have 1 job. I recently got my contract changed to 31 hours a week, which I will find hard adjusting to. I am still in denial about the fact that I have graduated and should have a proper job and I’ll just still to my shop job for a little while longer.

Life- Life this past while has been full of ups and downs. My and my bf split up in April, and it was a bad time for me. We have recently started “dating” each other again, in the hope that we can make another go of it, which I am so happy with. In the break that we had, I rediscovered how important friends are and I am so lucky to have so many good friends I have, that I can rely on.

Hair – The last time I posted on here, I was a slight blonde. Now I am a fully fledged member of the blonde community. In my usual ways, I am bored of it already and want to get some more brown through it in order to be completely brown again for the winter. I am never satisfied with my hair. It feels so dry these days, so if anyone has any recommendations for dry, bleached hair please let me know.

This was such a rambly post, but I have 2 months to fill you in on. And if anyone forgets what I look like here’s a *drunken* pic and please ignore the bun ring as I did fix it.

Anyone miss me?!

x

A new start for me.....

Wednesday will be a new start for me. Fair enough I should have started on the 1^st of the new month but its my birthday tomorrow so I wanted to wait. I feel that if I announce to other people then it will happen, so here goes.

I’M GOING ON A DIET

Urghhh I finally said it. I need to stop eating so much rubbish and I need to stop spending money on rubbish things.

 

I lost weight over Lent, however since then I have put some back on. I am back to the point where I am hating my body and I know I need to drop a few pounds. I ideally would love to lose about 2 stone and I know this is a lot. But I am going to try. I am going to do it in stages and have different targets. My first target is to lose 7lb by the 7th of July which is just over 3 weeks away.

I’m thinking of keeping a food diary and posting it up here. I really hope it will help me.

So if you have any ideas how I can lose weight please leave me a comment and tell me. Anything is a help right now.

xx

Nail Varnish Collection -Part 1 - Revlon

As promised a while ago here is part 1 of my nail varnish collection, sorry it took so long.

I don’t have many Revlon shades as I find them a bit expensive but I do like to buy them when they are on offer. They normally retail for around £6.29 and sometimes Boots has them on offer for 2 for £8.

So here are the shades that I have;

Blue Lagoon – A lovely shimmery pale blue

Emerald City – A matte emerald green

Peach Petal – A lovely shiny peach colour

Tropicana – A summery orange/coral colour

Cherries in the Snow – A red meets pink colour

And here are the swatches in the same order, with one coat each

With flash

Without flash

Do you have any Revlon shades you would recommend?

xx

Flower Power NOTD

In order to cheer myself up from the gloomy weather we have been having lately, I decided to make my nails a bit summery. I am so bad at nail art but I thought I would have a go.

For the nail colour I used “Blue Lagoon” by Revlon, and for the flowers I used a white from Rimmel and a yellow from Miss Sporty. I had just received my new nail art tools from eBay so I decided to give them a go.

I don’t think it turned out too bad and I will def be trying some simple nail art again.

Do you use much nail art on your nails? Or do you prefer the simple look?

xx

Lips and Hair Haul

This haul is well overdue. I picked up these items a few weeks ago but I lost my camera lead, so I couldn’t share them with you until now. But better late than never?!

I went to my nearest shopping centre that has both a Superdrug and Boots and I went a little crazy on lip products and hair care.

First up lip products:

17 Mirror Shine – Peace - £4.59

17 Mirror Shine – Hollywood - £4.59

Sleek – Candy Cane (Sheen) - £3.99

Sleek – Amped (Matte) - £3.99

Rimmel Vinyl Gloss – No Regrets

Barry M – Nude shade with Impulse - £3 (with Impulse)

Barry M – Baby Pink shade with Impulse -£3 (with Impulse)

Swatches are in the same order

I went mad on hair care as I have recently got highlights. I wanted some hair care for dry hair and coloured hair, so here is what I picked up.

John Frieda Perfecting Crème – £5ish (can’t remember exact price)

Lee Stafford Bleach Blonde Shampoo – £6.12

Lee Stafford Bleach Blonde Conditioner – £6.12

Superdrug Colour Radiance Shampoo – reduced to 20p

V05 Give Me Moisture Shampoo- £3.99ish

V05 Give Me Moisture Conditioner – £3.99ish

TIGI Bed Head Self Absorbed Shampoo - £4.99 (TK Maxx)

So I think I’m ok for shampoo and conditioner for a while however if you have any recommendations for dry, coloured hair feel free to leave them and I might just have to try them. :)

xx

Swapsies

Hiya everyone,

I was wondering if any of my followers where from somewhere that is not the UK or Ireland?! If so would you be interested in doing a make up swap?! I think it would be cool to try make up from a different country, so if any of you are interested just comment me :)

xx

Weekly Weigh In 14

It’s been a long time everyone and I am sorry. I have a lot of things going on in my personal life but now I intend to blog more often. So continuing where I left off;

Weight – I am happy to say I have lost over a stone since the beginning of Lent. Since Lent ended I have to admit I have done nothing but eat rubbish. I need to get back into a healthy eating and exercise routine. I would like to lose 11lb by 1^st July

Shopping – I haven’t bought that much lately, just a few bits and bobs. I had to get new work trousers as my old ones were far too big. I have started collecting some things for the giveaway I intend to have when I reach 100 followers J

Followers – I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who follows me on my blog and/or my Twitter. I have no idea where I would be without you all at the minute.

Hair – I tend to change my hair drastically if something drastic has happened in my life. So in typical me style I got my hair highlighted. There were at least 60 foils in my head and it took 5 hours but I love the results. I will share a photo with you just incase you have forgot my face.

Have you missed me?! Do you like my new hair?!

 xx

Coming Soon - Nail Varnish Collection

Hey everyone!

This is just a sneak peek at my current nail varnish collection.

I use the word "current" very loosely as it changes nearly every week. I am going to do separate posts on each of brand and I will also be doing swatches as soon as the nails wheels that I have ordered arrive.

Do any of these colours stand out to you straight away?

x

Im back...

Hey everyone! So after a short break I have decided to come back. I love blogging and all the friends that I have gained from it. Everyone on Twitter has been so supportive and helpful even though we have never met before. At this time I need friends and I can honestly say that everyone on my Twitter is a friend.

So as well as saying a big thank you to everyone for all your lovely comments on my last post, I also need ideas. I am going to blog as much as possible and start doing the things that I enjoy again. I feel that I am out of the loop and have no idea what to blog about.

So lovelies do you have any ideas or requests?

And again thank you *hug*

xx