Product Spotlight: Collection 'Bedazzled' Palette

Hey Guys!

A couple of weeks ago it was my birthday and among many other lovely presents and cards that I received from my family and friends, I was given this Collection eye shadow palette. Let me just start by saying that if you hate shimmery eye shadows and the thought of glitter makes you shudder then click away now - this definitely won't be for you.

The packaging of the product isn't fantastic, it's just a cardboard 'book style' palette with a magnetized close -however for the price point I wouldn't really expect anything too expensive looking packaging-wise.  

The eye shadows themselves are of average size, and as you can see from the above picture, very, very glittery. The bottom row of colours aren't really ones that I would think to wear (being a strictly neutrals only girl) but I think that they're a nice addition for someone who likes to add a pop of colour to their look now and again.

Sadly, as you can see from the above swatches, the colour payoff from the majority of the shadows isn't great - there is extensive glitter fallout from all but the copper toned brown on the far left, and the white, grey, peach and bronze shades barely show up at all. The shadows are fairly chalky and difficult to work with (again with the exception of the copper-brown) and so I wouldn't really recommend this product to you if you're looking for good quality eye shadow on a budget (perhaps somewhere like Sleek or MUA would be better).

The palette can be picked up from Boots or Superdrug for £4.49

Hope you've all had a great week!

Penny

XoX

A/W '13 Trend Spotlight: Tartan

Hey Guys!

Sorry about the massive gap in our posts but with starting school again and getting back into a routine it's been hard to the find time (and motivation) to sit down and write up a blog post. However we're going to try and make a conscious effort to post more regularly (at least once a week) as we really do enjoy blogging and we hope to create loads of new content that we're really proud of and that you'll find interesting to read. Anyway on with today's post...

One of the biggest trends this year seems to be tartan, from scarfs and dresses to cushions and skirts - it's impossible to not notice the influx of everyone's favourite highland inspired print that's hit the high street this year - and I love it! In the past I've dismissed Tartan as being a little old-fashioned and not for me (with the exception of a brief and embarrassing dalliance, age 10, with a questionable punk inspired tartan mini skirt) but this year I've really embraced the trend and I would love to own more tartan things to add a bit of interest to my A/W wardrobe. So, without further ado, here are my top 10 picks that are available on the UK high street right now:

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Happy Shopping!

Penny

XoX

My Back to School Beauty Kit

Hey Guys!

For most people in the UK back to school is this week (seriously, where did the summer go?) and we're all busy filling our bags and pencil cases with the equipment we need. This year I decided I definitely needed to bring a couple of beauty essentials (not my whole makeup drawer of course, but the most important 'touch up' bits) so I don't get caught out after sport, hot weather or the typical British rain. 

My cute cat bag was a bargain at £3 from Primark and is the perfect size to fit all of my products in. My beauty must-haves for school that are in this bag are:

1. Hand-Cream and a Nail file- These two are essential for keeping hands hydrated and sorting out any hang nails, both of mine come from a wild-rose gift set from The Body Shop, but any kind will do.

2. Mascara- Mascara is great for making the eyes look wide awake and is an essential for touch ups during the day. I use Lancome's Hypnose Doll Eyes which is a personal favourite.

3. Clear Mascara- I have particularly unruly brows, so a clear mascara is a must have to keep them in check. This MUA one is as good as any other I've tried and is only £1!

4. Black Liquid Eyeliner- If I need to go somewhere with friends after school, or need to instantly refresh my makeup, a black liquid liner is indispensable, this one from Eyelure isn't my favourite, but it's compact size means it fits neatly in the bag.

5. Brown pencil eyeliner- This serves the same purpose as the liquid liner but can also be smudged out to give more of an eye shadow effect.

6. Lip-Balm- Keeping my lips hydrated is essential.

7. Mini Dry Shampoo- If I didn't have time to wash my hair, or it's looking a bit lackluster after PE, dry shampoo is perfect to refresh it and give a bit of volume.

8. Concealer- Perfect for covering up under eye circles and any spots that might pop up throughout the day.

9. Pocket Mirror- I'm always needing to check my makeup during school, so a mirror is an essential for me.

10. Mini Pack of wipes- Perfect for cleaning up makeup mistakes.

11. Hand Sanitizer- School isn't always the cleanest of places so I use hand-sanitizer for cleaning my hands before or after lunch, or just during the day whenever I feel like I need to.

Hope those of you going back to school have a great year!

Penny

xox

Product Spotlight: Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturiser - Cocoa Radiant

Hey Guys!

There're many beauty rituals that I'm extremely lazy about undertaking, and moisturising my body is definitely one of them. I can religiously complete a five step skincare routine, spend thirty minutes attempting a complex makeup look but moisturising- forget it!

However, recently my skin has become more prone to dry patches (attractive,I know) so I decided it was time to get my hands on a solution. When I heard about Vaseline's Spray and Go moisturiser, I knew it would be the perfect 'lazy girl' solution- and so far it seems that I was right.

The moisturiser comes in a typical pressurized con  tainer which allows a fine mist of product to be applied directly to skin which makes rubbing it really easy to rub into the skin, meaning that you aren't left with the sticky residue heavier moisturisers can leave you with.

Overall, this is a hydrating, convenient product that smells good and is a great choice when you want to moisturise but can't be bothered to go the whole hog with a heavier body cream.

Penny

XoX

Back to School Clothes Wishlist

Hey Guys!

When school starts in September I'll be in Sixth Form and therefore allowed to wear my own clothes as oppose to the unflattering, boring uniform that has been obligatory for all of my previous school years. Whilst this sounds like it'll make going to school a lot more comfortable it also has the potential to be extremely stressful in the mornings, so below I've created a little 'capsule wardrobe'/wishlist of smart-casual pieces that are suitable to wearing at a school with a fairly relaxed dress-code.

The clothes I've chosen are mainly autumn/winter pieces with a fairly muted colour scheme, but many of them can be mixed and matched to create a variety of simple, comfortable yet stylish outfits for school.

1. I've picked two pairs of my favourite River Island 'Amelie' skinny jeans in black and dark blue which are £30 each- not too bad for good quality staple pieces that you can wear with many different tops in all seasons.

2. A good pair of basic 'go with everything' flats are essential for school and the gold detailing on this £28 pair from Miss Selfridge adds some extra interest to the shoes.

3. This simple black blazer from H&M is super affordable at £14.99 and versatile, perfect for dressing up a variety of different outfits.

4. The lace shoulder panels on this simple white shirt from Forever 21(£18.75) make something that could be boring a little more stylish and interesting.

5. Skater skirts are great for school because they're comfortable and flattering, these black and maroon ones, both from River Island and both under £20, would go with a variety of tops and are suitable for all seasons.

6. A denim jacket is great for layering with skirts and dresses when the weather gets colder, and this one from H&M is a bargain at £24.99

7. This Minnie Print top which is £18.75 from Forever 21 is perfect for making a fairly formal outfit that little bit more casual.

8. A leather jacket is another layering staple and this faux leather biker jacket from H&M is a steal at £29.99

9. A simple long sleeve, slouchy top is perfect for pairing with skirts and jeans and this cream one from River Island (£14) is a great basic to own.

10. Ankle boots are great all year round and these black ones from New Look are stylish and reasonably priced at £19.99.

11. A simple T-Shirt style dress is both flattering and practical, this burgundy one from New Look is only £12.99.

12. A cardigan is an essential in Britain where the weather can turn at any moment! This one from Topshop, although not the cheapest at £38, is extremely versatile because of its colour and style.

Happy Back to School Shopping!

Penny

XoX

Product Spotlight: MAC Eye shadows in 'Honey Lust' and 'Bronze'

Hey Guys!

Before jetting off on my recent holiday to Switzerland I decided to make a few makeup purchases to take advantage of the duty free discounts, and when I saw a MAC store, I knew exactly where to head first. Although MAC probably isn't my most lusted after makeup range they have such a broad range of colours and the quality of all their products is extremely good, definitely worthy of their high-end price tag.

After being overwhelmed by the choice available at the counter, I eventually set my sights on two eye shadows (neutrals... Of course) in 'Honey Lust' and 'Bronze' because I felt that they were two really versatile shades which were totally different to any of the other brown-toned neutrals in my current collection.

The products come in MAC's standard 'no frills' packaging  with the round pots containing a fairly standard 1.5g of shadow (which for£12.50 each, is probably why I haven't taken the MAC eye shadow plunge before). The packaging is convenient for travel and the shadow pan can be removed and placed into a MAC palette were you to own one.

(Left=Bronze) (Right=Honey Lust)

As you can see from the swatches Bronze is a medium-brown shade with red undertones and a shimmer finish making it suitable for both an all over lid shade and a crease colour for a natural, every day, smokey eye. Honey Lust is a pink toned champagne gold colour with a lustre finish which is a good lid shade to brighten the eye when paired with something a bit darker (like bronze) in the crease for definition. Both shadows (as typical to MAC) have amazing pigmentation and consistency, particularly Bronze which has less glitter fallout than Honey Lust, and both have become a regular part of my makeup routine as they're flattering shades which are suitable for both every day and creating a more dramatic look.

You can purchase these shadows from MAC stores and counters for an RRP of £12.50.

Penny

XoX

Back To School Wishlist

Hey Guys!

One of my favorite things about back to school (aside from catching up with everyone after summer of course) is buying new stationary and equipment to start the school year with. I know to most people stationary is not exactly the most exciting thing, but some of you out there will definetely love shopping for back to school equipment as much as I do- so I've made a little wishlist of my favourite finds which are pretty, practical and great value!

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Happy Shopping!

Penny

xox