Favourite Bright MAC Lipsticks

Although I haven’t added a new colour to my collection in a good few months, I have been wearing my bright MAC Amplified Creme lipsticks to death this summer and thought I’d share with you my ultimate favourites! 
I love everything about MAC lipsticks, the finish, the texture, the durability and most of all, the pigmentation that comes with all of the Amplified Cremes. Even if it’s a nude or a bold pink, you can guarantee that the colour payoff is amazing and it won’t leave you disappointed! I am on the lookout for a more subtle pink though so leave your suggestions below! 

Top to Bottom & Left to Right: Neon Orange, Vegas Volt, Girl about Town and Saint Germain
MAC Lipsticks are available from stores, online and also from Department stores such as Debenhams, House of Fraser and Selfridges for £15.50 but if you’re a student, don’t forget you can get 10% off online with UNIDAYS and House of Fraser.
Which is your favourite colour?! 

My Holiday “Beauty" Essentials

This is going to be the first of a few “Holiday” themed posts as I’m off to Lanzarote in 2 weeks time and I’m a keen packer so like to get things done in advance so I know that the night before, I can relax and look forward to the week ahead.  Todays post will be looking at what I consider to be my Beauty Essentials when I’m on holiday... The things I can’t not take with me and the things that I’d struggle to cope without if I forgot them! This isn’t a run down of everything I take with me because of course, I do take other beauty related items but I feel that on holiday, these things are the things that will see you through the week (ok, now I’m rambling...). 

So, first up is aftersun and this No7 Facial Recovery jumped straight out at me when I was pondering up and down the isles in Boots as what tends to happen with me is, I’ll catch the sun without knowing and a few hours later, I’m burnt to a crisp, my forehead stings and every time I scratch my nose it hurts so I’m hoping this stuff works it’s wonders on my skin like No7 normally does. I also only paid £3.50 for this (RRP £8.50) by using the £5.00 off skincare voucher that they’re handing out at the moment! Deodorant and razors are next up, stating the obvious a little there. I would have normally gone for the Venus and Olay razor but I wanted a few and the Venus and Olay ones are so expensive (£10.99 for one razor or a pack of 4 razor heads) so I grabbed these Wilkinson Sword Quattro disposable razors as I can chuck them whilst I’m away. 

A few makeup bits are the No7 Brilliantly Bare Beauty Enhancer, MAC MSF in Perfectly Poised (review here), Carmex Strawberry Lip balm with SPF 15 and Maybelline Instant Eye Eraser (review here). I have been using bits of the Beauty Enhancer as a subtle highlight when I’ve gone for a foundation less makeup day so it’ll be the perfect addition to a tanned face whilst on holiday and if you’ve read my review of the Eye Eraser, you’ll know how much I love it! This is my 3rd repurchase and I’ll be using it everyday on holiday, without a doubt! 

Now, I was contemplating having my nails done for holiday but the only problem is the fiddliness of them now that I have Millie so I decided that I would just take a few polishes with me and paint them every few days. The colours I’ve gone for are Barry M Gelly in Blueberry and Bright Purple and then a Maybelline Color Show in Electric Yellow. I grabbed the Express Remover too as it’s 3 for 2 on Maybelline Cosmetics at the moment! My holy grail makeup remover is also amongst this lot although I think I may shrink him down into a smaller bottle rather than taking this whole thing, and of course, cotton pads will be his plus 1. 

For suntan lotion and aftersun, I’ve got a selection... There’s the Nivea In Shower Aftersun which I’ve only used once so far but does the job, a Nivea Moisturising spray on Aftersun which is one I’ve used numerous times (perfect if you keep it in the fridge too!) and then we have a Soltan Dry Touch SPF 15 spray lotion. I think we’ll pick up another when we’re out there but for now, this should keep us well protected (Millie’s things will be coming up in a separate post).  Last, but not least, are my lotions. I’ve got a new found love for the Soap and Glory Skincare range after being sent a few things from Boots and so this 6in1 Moisture Lotion is coming along with me for a face cream, my trusty Origins Make a Difference Hand Treatment and a Lush Vanilla Dee Lite body moisturiser as there’s nothing worse than dry knees and elbows when you’re trying to show off a gorgeous tan! 

Joan Collins ‘Timeless Beauty’ Makeup: First Impressions

Some people may think when reading the tittle of this “Joan Collins makeup? Really? Wouldn’t that be for old people?!” No, it wouldn’t, actually! This gorgeous collection of makeup has been created by the wonderful diva that is Joan Collins and includes something for everyone. There is everything from eyeshadow quads, nail varnish, lipstick and even eye lash treatment but the few bits I was very kindly gifted are the Eyeshadow and Brow definition kit (Available October 2014), Velvet Blusher Compact and Liquid Eyeliner. The first thing I love about this collection is the packaging. Being the glamorous icon she is, Joan Collins has definitely made sure this is portrayed in her makeup collection too as the luxury gold packaging is enough to catch anyone’s eye. It stands out from all my other black packaged makeup and is super durable so brilliant to travel with. The compacts are all the same size too which is something I really like as you don’t have various sizes to try and cram into your makeup bag or drawers.  The quality of the blusher and eyeshadows/brow shadows is equally brilliant. Super pigmented shadows means that you’re not digging your brush in to make sure you’re getting the colour coverage you’re after. The brow gel and shadows are also a perfect match and although the tools are a little too small for me to use, it’s a good little kit to chuck into your handbag on a night out - containing tweezers, applicator and a eyebrow brush.  My only downfall here is the eyeliner but that’s not because it’s rubbish, it’s because I can’t bring myself away from the much loved, re-purchased Collection Liner that I’ve been using since I was about 13. The nip on the Joan Collins Liquid Liner is a little too flimsy for me and I can’t get the stroke that I like but the liquid is SUPER long lasting and I did have a little trouble getting it off so an oil based makeup remover is definitely needed for this one! 

From what I’ve used of the products so far, the Eye and Brow definition kit is definitely my favourite product and I can see myself repurchasing this in future. If you’d like to get your hands on any of the above products, or more, you can shop the collection at joancollinsbeauty.com or QVCuk.com

Vichy DermaBlend Corrector Stick Review

I try and use a product as much as possible before I review it and that happens to have been the case with this Vichy Dermablend Correcting Stick* as I’ve had it a fair few months now. 
I don’t suffer with harsh blemishes or have an uneven skin tone but I do have redness around my nose and eyes and have dark circles too (they come with being a Mum!) so I got this to help prevent the appearance of those on my bad days! The corrector stick is a twist up application type product, a little like a lipstick for your face, and has a really thick consistency. It’s super heavy duty and claims to last 14 hours... It definitely does that! 
I tend to apply this in little dots covering the area I want to even out, you can see on the pictures below, I applied it to my chin as I had a few red blemishes and the application is with a stippling brush. It blends out to a powder type consistency but then when you apply foundation over the top, it blends out really well and looks almost natural. I do find though that if you have more than a few spots that it can dry up and make them stand out a little more so try not to use too much over problem areas. 

If you’re looking for a more heavy duty cover up stick compared to your every day concealer and corrector, I definitely recommend this Vichy Dermablend Corrector. It is available in 7 different shades from most beauty stores and online at Feel Unique for £15.00
*Won as part of a £50.00 voucher competition 

National Forest Adventure Farm

We took a little trip out yesterday and headed over to the National Forest Adventure Farm in Derbyshire. It’s an action packed farm that has petting areas, animal plots, giant jumping pillows, an indoor play centre, tractor rides, 2 mazes and even a pig race! There’s plenty to do for all ages and it gave me a chance to try and get to grips with my camera too!  Take a look at what we got up to... 

If you’re looking for a family day out, I completely recommend the adventure farm but take a picnic and plenty of hand sanitiser, the food isn’t all that and there are so many animals to touch that you’ll need to keep your hands clean!