Sunday 20 October 2013

I'm baaaaaaaack!


So I decided to take a little break from blogging. October was slightly too much of a good thing for me and I think I may have almost literally blogged my socks off!
I really enjoy blogging and writing about the things that pique my interest so I don't want it to become a chore or start posting things just to fit to a schedule, so I went cold turkey for the last two weeks and just lived life a little.

I've enjoyed my little break but I'm ready to get going again now.
What I've learned is that daily blogging is definitely not for me.. So much admiration for those that do it, but I just can't hack that plus a full time job!

I'm not even going to set a schedule for posts, I'm just going to post when I feel like writing and if not then I'll wait till I do.

Keep tuned for my October birchbox...it's a good'un!

Suzy
Xx

Tuesday 8 October 2013

#TheSOproject - Eyeliner

Aaaah eyeliner week. I love the stuff. I don't feel right without it on and I wear it pretty much every day.

Eyeliner wasn't something I begun wearing until probably around the age of 18/19, when I was at university. It started off as a night out only arrangement but soon spiralled into every day use, which is a shame because it means my nighttime make up never looks drastically different to my daytime make up. Ho hum.

My recommendations are all high street. I really don't think eyeliner is something that needs to be expensive - I've tried MAC, Clinique and LancĂ´me eyeliners recently and hated all 3.

I have 3 different types of eyeliner; kohl pencil, gel and liquid.

Liquid
Ok, I can't actually use liquid eyeliner. It scares me. Instead I came across eyeliner pens and I doubt I'll ever feel the need to acquire the ability to apply liquid liner as these give the exact same effect.
They aren't especially forgiving if you make a mistake but I find the felt-tip-like end easy to control and so much easier than actual liquid eyeliner.
My pen liner of choice is Supercat from Soap and Glory. It has a firm but flexible nib and it's really glossy and black. I find that it never smudges during the day, and I wear this for work most days on my top lash line. I tend to only need to buy this twice a year or so, despite daily use, as it never dries out.

I had in my mind that this costs around £8, but having just checked the RRP it's actually £6, a bargain really since it lasts so long!

Gel
Gel eyeliner is supposed to be waterproof and long lasting. It has to be applied with a brush and so it's slightly more faffy than the liquid liner pen option. As a result I tend to only use gel liner for special occasions, but I do like the effect it gives and it's really nice to be able to put it on my waterline as well as upper lash line and know it'll stay there for a decent amount of time.

 My recommendation for gel eyeliner is Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black - it lasts all day on the eyes and the little pot is still going strong 6 months later. I've read some reviews of MAC gel eyeliner and other higher end ones drying out really fast so I'm dead impressed with Maybelline. I'm never really one for using the brushes that come with products either but the brush that comes with this is actually really good! RRP £7.99


Kohl Pencil Eyeliner
Kohl eyeliner was my first foray into the lining of eyes and I still always have one in my make-up bag, even though I rarely use it these days. I'm not too keen on pencil eyeliner for my upper lashes because it's too smudgy and messy, and I find gel eyeliner lasts better in my waterline so there's no real necessity for an eye pencil. But you never know.


The one I have at the moment is Collection's Eyeliner Pencil, but they're all much of a muchness. This one is £1.99.  It's only pencil after all!






I didn't do a starting off project post last week partially because I had a crazy week at work (ha, I feel like one of my students making excusing for not doing their homework!), but mostly because after years of buying mascara after mascara I finally found one I loved and I've stuck with it for about 3 years now.  Disappointing for my friends who miss mascara reviews, but much better for my bank account!
My mascara of choice is Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara.  It really does curl my lashes and it never smudges or flakes under my eyes.  Annoyingly, in the last 3 or so years it's inexplicably gone from £14 to £17, but it's still cheaper than the 'buy every mascara you walk past' method I followed previously. 

So there you so; two starting off projects for the price of one! Efficient.


What's your eyeliner recommendation?


Suzy
Xx

Monday 30 September 2013

How Much Is My Face Worth?

I've had this post in draft form for a few weeks now, and I think I was worrying too much about getting the tone right to be able to finish and post it.
Essentially, I didn't want the post to come across as 'look how much I spend on skincare', because I'm not a price snob at all, but I do value good ingredients in skin care.  Sadly, on the whole, good ingredients do tend to cost more, and as a result my combined total isn't exactly 'budget'.
I tend to splash out on skincare more than make up as I think it has to be the priority.
 I think blogging exposes you to so many different products, and enables you to make informed decisions about what to buy too, so although I may have spent quite a bit, I tend to have been really happy with my purchases and don't really flit about or constantly buy new stuff. 

Jeez making excuses already! Well here we go anyway- my basic skincare routine!


 
I wasn't sold on this at all when I first tried it, and quickly left it to gather dust.  I've gone back to it in the last few weeks though, and I totally get all the fuss now; it's so gentle on my eyes and it does do a good job of removing both face and eye make up, without upsetting my skin.
£9.99 (250ml)

 
I won't say too much on this because I'm going to do a proper review on this shortly, but it is amaaaaaaazing, which slightly pains me because it's super expensive! Needs must!
£34 (100ml)


 
I refuse to use foaming cleansers (containing SLS) because they make my oilier skin much worse, so this rather alarming looking black gel is absolutely perfect because it's 97% natural and it does it's business without needing to foam. Wonderful.
$24 / £14.87 (210ml)

 
Again, this isn't cheap, but my pores have a tendency to block and they need a good chemical exfoliant to keep some semblance of order.  I wouldn't use the regular Clinique Clarifying Lotions if it was a choice between that and death  (ok slight exaggeration),as they are full of alcohol and dry the skin out unbelievably.  This one contains no alcohol and the salicylic acid is effective but gentle.
£16.50 (200ml)

 
I think this is a massive bargain; it's a generous size and it's so effective.  I reviewed it here if you fancy a read.
$18 / £11.12 (250ml)

 
I mix this in with my foundation and it helps to reduce redness and protect the skin from damage. 
$37 / £22.85 (30ml)

 
This is totally overpriced...shame on you Clinique...but more shame on me for repurchasing 3 times?!
£38 is absolutely crazy considering it's only real feature is that it has SPF 25.  Poor show.  I seem to have stuck with it because it absorbs well, it doesn't irritate my skin and I have absolutely zero imagination.  I'm planning to switch to REN or Origins if this flipping vat ever runs out.
£38 (50ml)
 

My sister believed me to have finally lost the plot when I bought this back in February, but I maintain that it is one of the best purchases I've made this year!  It isn't cheap (especially when you add £5 for P&P), but it's still going strong 8 months later and it works wonders on my pores overnight. 
£23 (100ml)


Here comes the scary bit!


My grand total is...£170.33
(Eeek! Definitely not letting Adam read this post!!)

That's one expensive face! I'm actually quite surprised it's as much as it is.  I am pretty happy with my routine at the moment though, so I guess it's worth it to some extent!


Have you worked out how much is your face worth? 


Suzy
xx




Sunday 29 September 2013

Autumn Fashion Wish List

 
 
I posted my September Beauty Wish List a couple of weeks ago and today I thought I'd show you what I have my beady little eyes on fashion-wise. 
 
 
1)  ASOS Swing Dress In Swan Print
This is so cute, little swans facing each other, aww! I'd wear it loads, probably with a thin belt around the wast, opaque tights and either boots or flats. Plus it's only £25!
 
 
2) ZARA Mini Office City Bag 
The Zara city bag is lovely but it's a bit too much for me; I don't carry ipads or anything else around on a daily basis, so I just don't need so much space. This  mini version is the perfect size and I love the colour - so much more cheerful than the black bag i'm lugging around at the moment. Plus it's £29.99, which I think is really reasonable.
 
 
3) H&M Jersey Dress
I really like how the skirt of this flares out and I think it'd be a handy little dress to be able to chuck on at weekends. It's only £12.99 and again, with ankle boots and tights its handy for winter - I'm so imaginative...!
 
 
4) Miss KG Bali Chelsea Brogue Flat Boots
Every time I go into a shop at the moment I keep gravitating towards chelsea boots; I love that they look so dressy but are practical and warm for winter.  I think these ones are really pretty, but at £70 I'd want leather boots, which these aren't, so unless I can get them in the sale, I'll probably go for similar ones from elsewhere.
 
5)French Connection Spectacular Sparkle Dress
This would be a massive extravagance at £160 but it'd be so perfect for the Christmas period.  I love the shape too, so flattering!
 
 
6) French Connection Glorious Wool Coat
Everyone seems to be going bananas for the pink Zara coat at the moment, but it's just not for me; I prefer a girlier winter coat and I think this one is perfect.  I tend to buy a new winter cost every year, wear it to death and then buy another the next year.  Last year my most worn coat was £10 from George in the sale (also pink!) and although I loved it I reckon I'm due a slightly pricier coat this year & this one is so pretty!
 
What's on your wishlist this autumn?
 
 
Suzy xx
 
You can catch up on my September Beaty Wishlist here :)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday 28 September 2013

Nails of the Day: Sparkles!

Today we we're going to a wedding fair and then to see a friend and her boyfriend I haven't seen for ages, for food and drinks in Manchester.

Beforehand though I really needed to clean our apartment, with us both being so busy with work and then me being ill last week we've just not had chance to get organised! I have to play with things as I tidy them away and am extremely inefficient, which is a constant frustration for Adam who is like a cleaning whirlwind once he gets going.
During my perusal of things whilst organising my dressing table I rediscovered this nail varnish, which is one of my all time favourites. I wore it pretty much constantly last winter as it's so sparkly and festive. Despite being only half way through cleaning our room I stopped and sat and painted two coats plus top coat onto my nails. Absolutely ridiculous, but I couldn't resist & at least my nails are sorted for tonight now!

The shade is Yellow Topaz from Barry M, and as you can see it has glitter and sequins of varying sizes, in a clear polish. Aaaah I love it. It's still available for £2.99 from Superdrug.

What's your favourite Barry M shade?

Suzy 
Xx