MAC Haul

Hi everyone!

On Saturday I ordered some things from MAC and they were delivered today! Yay! They are all things I've been wanting to try so without further ado, here are the bits and bobs I bought!

Eye Kohl in 'Teddy'

Pixi2woo recommended this as her favourite ever eyeliner in a recent Youtube video. This already hooked me because I love Tanya and her videos, but the appeal of a soft, smudgy brown liner really appealed to me. I always use black but it can look harsh against my skin. I can't wait to try this out!

Plushglass in 'Fulfilled'

This look great on the website and it looks really pigmented in the tube, but it goes on clear. I tried a few coats purely to see if I could build the colour up but it stayed clear which I'm so disappointed about. Hopefully it will at least look nice over lipsticks!

Lipstick in 'Patisserie'

I love this! This is definitely 'my lips but better.' It's a lustre and applies so smoothly and gives such a nice sheen, I think Lustres are my favourite formula! I can tell I'll be using this so much, love it!

So there's what I got!

What are your favourite things from MAC?

Love from Natalie xox

May Favourites

Hi everyone!

Long time no blog! Sorry about that, I just haven't been inspired lately for some reason. However, as it's the end of May (I can't believe it!) I thought it would be nice to show you what I've been loving in the month of May!

Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo

I bought a travel size of this shampoo when I went to visit my friend and absolutely loved the scent and how shiny and smooth it made my hair, so I bought a nice big bottle! This makes my hair smell gorgeous!

Lancome Hypnose Perfume

I remember when this perfume first came out, I was about 13/14 and I would always go into Boots to get samples from the Lancome lady because I loved this perfume! It's stayed a constant favourite and I've used it a lot this month!

Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream

This is a travel ste size but I bought the set quite a few months ago and I still have loads left! This is a nice thick cream and it reallys helps my dry skin hydrate itself overnight.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

This is possibly my favourite make up purchase ever! I love each and every one of the eyeshadows, the Primer Potion is brilliant and it's all I've been using on my eyes this month! Amazing!

Max Factor Xperience Foundation

I've been through about 4 bottles of this, I just love it! Great coverage, matches my skin perfectly and doesn't feel at all cakey on my skin.

Elf Powder Brush

My lovely best friend Hayley texted me when she bought this saying I needed to pick it up and she was so right! This is amazing to apply foundation with, it gives such a flawless look. The brush is so soft and supple too.

Primark Kabuki Brush

I've been using this with my bronzer and MSF and it applies just the right amount of product. It's a great little brush and I'm sure it was only like a pound!

Bourjois Effet 3D Lipgloss in Rouge Democratic

This is really pigmented and looks great on its own or paired with a pink lipstick. Just been using it loads, love it!

Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipgloss in Ivory Beige

I wouldn't say this is Ivory or Beige! It's a gorgeous shimmery peach colour that looks amazing with golden eyeshadow and bronzer! It smells nice too!

MAC Cork Eyeshadow

I've been using this every day as my brow colour, it matches perfectly and makes my brows look more defined and uniform. It's a great as a contour eyeshadow colour too!

So there are my May Favourites!

What have you been loving in May?

Love from Natalie xox



Face Of The Day

Hi everyone!

I've been tinkering around with my webcam and thought I'd show you all my Face of the Day!

I didn't prepare for this, it was just spontaneous so excuse my teletubby-esque hairstyle and slight surprised meerkat expression!

Face

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC15

Benefit Coralista Blush

Illamasqua Lies Blush (as highlight)

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette:

Sidecar all over lid
Buck in crease
Sin in inner corner

Rimmel Kohl Eyeliner

L'Oreal Carbon Gloss

Maybelline Colossal Volum Express Mascara

Lips

17 Mirrorshine in Beehive

Benefit Life on the A List Lipgloss

Love from Natalie xox



Mini Primark Haul

Hi everyone!

I had a nosey in Primark today and it was one of those days where absolutely nothing jumped out at me! I was a bit disappointed as I'd built myself up for finding loads of goodies for my holiday, but I did manage to get three nice things!

Satchel: £9.00

Sandals: £6.00

Wedges: £12.00

Love from Natalie xox



Superdrug Shopping!

Hi everyone!

I just thought I'd show you all my very little 'haul' from Superdrug this week! I only wanted a red lipliner but of course, you never come away with just one thing do you!

The lipliner is Rimmel's Lasting Finish liner in 021 Red Dynamite. I've wanted a red liner for ages as I always feel my red lipstick straying over onto my skin and I have to constantly touch it up, so this is perfect for lining and filling in my lips so lipstick has something to cling to!

 I also picked up a Bourjois Effet 3D Gloss in 06 Rouge Democratic. Bourjois glosses are my favourite! This is a gorgeous, shimmery cherry red and looks perfect just on its own.

Left: 597 Miss Minty Right: 598 Bubble Gum

GOSH Nail Lacquers are my favourite also so when I spotted these two I had to have them! They are such good dupes of MAC's Mischievious Mint and Ice Cream Cake! I love the formulation and application of GOSH lacquers and these shades are perfect for summer!

Hope you've picked up some nice things lately!

Love from Natalie xox



Primark Purchases

Hi everyone!

Today I nipped into Primark to see if I could get any last minute things for my Lady Gaga themed outing tomorrow, just some quirky bits that would make it more obvious who I'm dressing as!

I ended up picking up a few things that caught my eye, so here they are to show you.

Bag: £5.00

This is just a small bag so I thought it would look cute when I go out or go shopping, when I only need to fit a purse, phone, keys and trusty lipgloss in my bag!

Hairbands: £1.00

Boring I know, but I needed some!

Make up Bag: £2.00

I gave my old make up bag to my Mam as I never used it, then realised I don't have anything to transport my make up in, so I picked this cute bag up.

Tights: £3.00

Someone say they're Lady Gaga-ish, please! I have brown hair instead of Gaga's trademark blonde (and I'm not partial to wigs!) so no matter what I wear, people are going to think it's a genuine outfit choice.

Hair Feather: £1.00

I thought sticking this in my hair would liven it up a bit and it's something quirky that Gaga would potentially go far. God, I'm going to end up looking like a mad woman.

Earrings: £1.50

I loved the pattern on these, they're so cute!

Necklace: £3.00

This has so many charms on, it's really sweet and looks handmade and vintage inspired which I love!

Wash Mitt: £1.00

I thought this would be great for when I'm tanning, and at only a £1.00 it was a steal! Such a cute print too, I love Minnie Mouse!

So there we have it!

Have you been shopping this week?

Love from Natalie xox



When In Rome

Hi everyone!

As you can probably tell from the title of this post, I am jetting off on a trip to Rome in July! I booked the holiday yesterday as a birthday surprise for my Mam. This may seem extravagant but I have an extremely close bond with my Mam and really wanted to do something extra special to show her how much I appreciate her!

We have both always wanted to visit Rome as it is such a beautiful, historic city. We are very lucky to be staying right next to Vatican City and we will definitely be paying the Vatican a visit! My Mam loves the Da Vinci Code films so as an extra treat I have booked us both on the special 'Angels and Demons' tour of Rome where you visit all of the places in the film.

We will also be paying Germany a sneaky visit as our plane has to connect in Dusseldorf and Munich, so although I'll just be inside the airport I can still say I've been to Germany!

If any of you have been to Rome I would love to hear your tips on where to visit, places to eat and all sorts of touristy things!

I hope any of you who are jetting off this summer have an amazing time!

Love from Natalie xox



Urban Decay Naked Palette Rave!

Hi everyone!

If you caught my post last week you'll know I ordered the much coveted Urban Decay Naked Palette from Debenhams and was eagerly awaiting its arrival.

It came yesterday and I squealed with happiness! I couldn't wait to get it open! I know you've probably all seen it before but it wouldn't be a complete post without my shoddy photos so here goes!

The palette comes with a mini version of the Primer Potion, which I've always wanted to try! It's a lovely thin consistency and it really does work brilliantly at maintaining your eyeshadow all day!

I love the packaging too, I thought it was going to be a hard, smooth palette but it's actually soft and velvety! It feels so nice!

The shadows are just so me it's unreal! They're so pigmented and they compliment each other beautifully, I know that I can make any combination work! I love the inclusion of dark colours at the end, it just makes it so easy to do a smokey eye if you wish!

My particular favourites are Sin (second from left) and Sidecar (fourth from left), they go so well together!

I really love this palette, it's amazing if you're into neutral colours. I can't see me needing to buy an eyeshadow unless this runs out, in which case I will rush to get another one!

Do you have the Naked Palette? What do you think about it?

Love from Natalie xox



How Much Is My Face Worth?

Hi everyone!

I've seen this post on a few blogs lately and thought it would be a fun one to try out! I've gathered the products I'd usually use on my face on a day time to see how much it all costs! Eek!

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation: £23.00

MAC Blushcreme in Ladyblush: £17.00

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in Lies (as highlighter): £16.50

Maybelline Colossal Volum Express Masacara: £7.19

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer: £4.19

L'Oreal Super Liner: £6.19

Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Pencil: £2.99

MAC Lipstick in Hue: £13.50

Eyeko London Lips Lipgloss in Knightsbridge: £6.50

= £97.06

I don't think that's bad! I was expecting a bit more but I suppose I didn't include eyeshadows but that's only because I regularly use different ones so there isn't a specific one I always include in my daily routine.

I hope you enjoyed and will also do this post!

Love from Natalie xox



Mini Boots Haul: 17, Barry M and Soap and Glory

Hi everyone!

Hope you are all well :)

Today I popped into Boots as I knew they had the 3 for 2 offer on all cosmetics and I needed something a bit special (see below!) so I ended up indulging in three lipsticks! My 'Naked' palette arrived yesterday (review coming soon!) and has proved that I never need another eyeshadow again so lippies were the choice today!

I also picked up a much raved about item from Soap and Glory!

So, on with the mini haul!

Lipsticks from left to right: Barry M in shade 37; 17 Mirrorshine in Beehive; 17 Mirrorshine in Hollywood.

Now, don't think I've gone all crazy Marilyn Manson on you with the black lipstick! It's all in the name of fancy dress, as one of my pals from Uni is having a Lady Gaga themed outing, and I am attempting to dub her lips as below:

(Image from Google)

So that was the something special (or spooky!). As part of the 3 for 2 I picked up two of 17's Mirrorshine Lipsticks.

The much raved about Beehive instantly appealed to me, in part because of the hype and also because I swatched it and instantly thought, 'I see what everyone means!' It's a gorgeous glossy, pinky nude and it's like a 'my lips but better' shade. It's going to look gorgeous when I'm just casual on a daytime!

 I've been searching for a wearable red for aaages! I've had a few lipsticks but I've never picked the right shade for me and a few of them have been matte which my often dry lips can't deal with! I swatched Hollywood and LOVED it! It's glossy and a little sheer, and just the right shade of red that suits me!

Swatches:

I also picked up The Breakfast Scrub from Soap and Glory as I don't have a great exfoliater, just a cheapo one I picked up in Wilkinsons, and this has gotten great reviews!

It's really thick in consistency, I was expecting it to be gloopy! You can see the dint where I had a little go of it! It smells de-eee-licious! I think this will be a great scrub for my dry skin!

So that's it!

Have you taken advantaged of the 3 for 2 offer?

Love from Natalie xox



Can't Get Naked Quick Enough!

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to share a little something with you all as sadly I am so, so excited about it!

I was browsing through the Debenhams website just now, as I usually do when I'm a little bored, and I hopped onto the Urban Decay page and searched the famous Naked Palette, expecting as always to see it out of stock.

It wasn't!!!

I had to get it as I've wanted it for so long! Best of all, it was a little cheaper thanks to Debenhams having money off their beauty section at the minute.

I cannot wait until this gets delivered. The colours are just so me it's unreal, I am definitely a neutrals girl and every single colour appeals to me. I probably won't ever need another eyeshadow again!

I will make sure to review this once it arrives!

Have you got the Naked Palette? What do you think about it?

Love from Natalie xox

Summer Lips: Lipstick Recommendations

Hi everyone!

With summer fast approaching, it's time to break out the bright colours! I thought I'd do a post showing you all the lipsticks I'll be wearing in summer, they're all really affordable (except one which is MAC...) and gorgeous colours for the summer.

I took these in my wardrobe as it's so sunny outside that my dressing table was a terrible shooting spot!

Without flash:

Left to right:

Rimmel Moisture Renew 620 Coral Queen, MAC Lustering, MUA Shade 6, Maybelline Colour Sensational 148 Summer Pink

With Flash:

Same order as above.

Flash just shows the true colours a little better for you!

These are all gorgeous pinks except the Rimmel Coral Queen lipstick, which is a really punchy coral. I was wary of it at first but I've actually had loads of compliments about it when I've worn it so I urge you, if you're used to your baby and neutral pinks, be brave this summer!

Lustering is well used, as you can see! It's a gorgeous, stand out pink that I love to wear on a night out. It's a lustre finish and it looks glossy on the lips.

MUA Shade 6 was only a pound! Bargain! It's so pigmented and glides on so smoothly, it's the best lipstick formula I've tried, and for a quid it's amazing!

Maybelline Summer Pink is a lovely hot pink with slight shimmer. It's a great colour, it just doesn't apply that well. Maybe I got a dud because my other Maybelline lipsticks apply fine. It's still a beautiful colour!

Swatches, which don't showthe true colours and do the lipsticks justice, but I threw it in anyway!

So there's my Summer Lipstick Recommendations!

What will you be wearing on your lips this summer?

Love from Natalie xox

Time To Get Fit!

Hi everyone...

and good bye to this!

(Pictures from weheartit.com)

This is probably going to turn out to be a bit of a rambly post, so apologies about that! There's no need for you to read this, I just wanted to put my thoughts down here for extra motivation and inspiration.

So, getting fit is going to be my new priority, and I will also admit, it's not just about getting fit, it's also about losing weight.

I've always been a skinny girl, and even now if I mention diets to people they act like I'm being stupid and there's always the old chestnut of: 'there's nothing on you!' Sorry to say, there is, I just don't show it to people!

I'm also short and I don't think I'll have a growth spurt anytime soon, so I want to maintain the right weight for my height.

So here's the ugly truth. I eat all of the time. KFC, McDonalds, pizza. Crisps, chocolate, biscuits, you name it. I cannot stop myself from snacking, if I get a craving I just think about it and don't stop until I have it.

I also drink more alcohol than necessary and of course that has an affect on weight too.

I'm now in a position where I'm getting unhappy and self concious about myself, which I hate to be but I think it happens to the best of us!

So, I'm making an oath to myself to start exercising and eating healthily. I thought I could do a weekly segment on how I'm doing, as much to track my progress as to share with you all.

Any tips on good workouts and diets to follow would be so appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

Love from Natalie xox

Good Friday FOTD

Hi everyone!

I've been wanting to do a Face of the Day post for ages but my camera seems to be allergic to close up photos and just won't take them! However my good friend Hayley has a camera that behaves and takes great photos so I have one from Good Friday where you can see my make up quite well, so here goes!

Products Used

On my face:

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NW15

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle (very light dusting as it's so shimmery!)

Opia Blush from Primark (which doesn't have a name!)

Illamasqua Cream Blush in 'Lies' as a highlight

Me Me Me Shimmy Shimmers Palette in Gold Shimmer for bronzer

On my eyes:

MAC Woodwinked eyeshadow as an all over colour

MAC Cork eyeshadow in the crease and outer corner, and also to fill in my eyebrows

MAC Retrospeck eyeshadow as a highlight

Rimmel Carbon Gloss liquid liner

Benefit Bad Gal Mascara

On my lips:

MAC Lipstick in Bombshell

Benefit lipgloss in Life on the A List

So there's my first ever FOTD! Hope you liked it.

Love from Natalie xox



Recent MAC Purchases

Hi everyone!

I hope you have all had a good Easter! I've had a couple of great nights out with my girls and been spoilt with loads of chocolate eggs, yum!

I popped into MAC last week because my friend was getting a makeover, so I nosied around the store until one of the lovely ladies asked me if I wanted any help.

Uh oh. Cue asking, on the spur of the moment, to be matched to Studio Sculpt Foundation. Just to try it out.

Yep, I bought it! I also got two eyeshadows, so here they are to show you.

MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation: £23.00.
Eyeshadows in 'Woodwinked' and 'Retrospeck': £11.50 each.

I was colour matched to NW15, which came as a bit of a surprise as I was NC15 in Studio Fix Fluid (which I absolutely hate!). The lovely woman who matched me was asking about my skin, which is very dry, and she said as this is gel based it will work nicely on my skin.

I must say I absolutely love this. I was worried that I'd been silly and impulsive and parted with quite a bit of money for something I might not like, but thank goodness, I love it! It's got great coverage, suits my skin perfectly, and it smells nice!

I also got two eyeshadows that I've been lusting after for a while, 'Woodwinked' and 'Retrospeck'. It was funny because 'Woodwinked' immediatly jumped out at me from the display, and I spotted 'Retrospeck' too without having turned them over to check what they were.

These are gorgeous, shimmery and very pigmented. 'Woodwinked' is a very gold, bronzey colour and it looks gorgeous. 'Retrospeck' is a more muted, champagney gold and I've only used it as a highlight so far but I think it would stand great just on it's own!

Blurry swatches as usual! (Check out the cameo print duvet!)



So, that rounds it up! Have you been hauling lately?

Love from Natalie xxx