Product of the month: Mythic Oil

Ever since the September Glossy Box landed in my lap, there has been one product that I have used every single day, without fail.

It is, of course, the beautiful Mythic Oil from the L'oreal Professionnel range.

Hair oils have been on my radar for months but I'd always been of the view that I had enough hair products to last me a life time and I just didn't need one.  Not anymore!!!!

I honestly could not live without this product now.  From the first time I applied two drops to my wet hair and then blow dried it, I noticed a difference.  My hair was softer, smoother and generally looked a million times better.  My split ends were sealed and any fly-aways were history.  When applied to my dry hair after, it gave me the most amazing shine and the scent made my hair smell like I'd just come out of the hairdressers.  I was hooked!

As for the actual product, it's enriched with all sorts of oils that care for your hair and give it back some moisture without ever making your hair greasy or weighed down.

I am in love!  If you are like me and think that any old serum makes your hair feel as good as you possibly think.....try a hair oil!  You will not be disappointed - I promise!!!

EDIT: I am a useless blogger and put absolutely no details in of where to get this.  It can be bought from hair salons but for the savvy beauty addict, Cheap Smells or Feel Unique are your best option to snap it up for £11.95.  Go on...... You're worth it ;)

Drugstore Brand Spotlight: L'oreal

As much as we all love high end beauty products, they do have a (sometimes ridiculous) high price tag attached.  I have therefore made it my aim over the past few years to weed out the best products from the drugstore (I hate that phrase as much as the next person but it is standard in the beauty community..!) that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Over the next few weeks I'm hoping to put a spotlight on some of the best products found in Boots/Superdrug that I've personally bought and loved and the odd few that have disappointed... Because, at the end of the day, a low end mascara may cost £5-ish but if you end up buying 4 awful ones, you may as well splash the cash on a YSL..  So, hopefully I can pin point the best products to save on and, with some recommendations from you beautiful people, build up a resource of the best cheap products out there!

Please note: I am not affiliated with any companies whatsoever - these are my honest opinions, as always.

First up....

L'oreal

Bases

True Match Foundation and Powder: Blendable.  Good shade range.  Commendable lasting power.  Adapts to skin. Don't bother with the roll on - very much a gimmick!

Infallible Foundation and Concealer: Great lasting power.  Nice shade range. Concealer thick but blendable - great for under the eyes!  The foundation now comes with the option of an attached brush - I would say stick with the original packing - more product for your money! (30ml vs 25ml)

Studio Secrets Primer and Foundation: Primer makes skin feel gorgeous and helps any foundation to glide on.  Foundation applies beautifully with attached brush and sets with a gorgeous dewy finish.  

Touch Magique concealer: Light reflecting brush on concealer.  Light coverage but nice effect under eyes as doesn't sink into fine lines.

Eyes

Voluminous Mascara: Gives long, thick lashes. No flaking or smudging to note.

Telescopic Mascara: Amazing length!

Carbon Gloss Super Liner: Precision nib that can great desired thickness. Glossy black line that stays put all day.

Lash Renewal Serum: Brilliant mascara primer.  Over time, lashes look longer, healthier and thicker.

Lips

Glam Shine Lipglosses: Glossy gorgeous colours - great shade range.  Heart shaped wand smooths and plumps lips.

If you have any other recommendations please comment - I will then add them in!

xxx

Modern 60s

Dewy skin, dark cut crease and pinky nude lips

FACE

Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation

Bobbi Brown Corrector then Creamy Concealer under eyes

No 7 Transparent Créme Touch Powder to set

No 7 High Lights Illuminating Powder in Island Glow to Contour

No 7 Blushers in Soft Damson and Honey blended onto cheeks

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base to highlight cheekbones

EYES

MAC Bare Canvas Paint all over lid

Urban Decay Whiskey eyeliner through socket and on upper & lower lash lines

Urban Decay Buck eyeshadow blended through the socket over the liner

Sleek matte black shadow put lightly through socket to darken

L'oreal Super Liner Carbon Gloss along upper lash line and flicked out

L'oreal Voluminous Mascara

Sleek matte brown shadow through brows

[In hindsight, I would have thickened the flick and added lashes - but there is always next time!]

LIPS

Prestige Silk Lip Liner

MAC Hue Lipstick

Revlon Peach Petal Lipgloss

xxx

New Year's Eve Make Up

Happy New Year my fellow beauty addicts!

This New Year's Eve was relatively low key - good food and drink with some of my dearest friends and then a trip to a local small establishment for drinks at midnight and dancing into the early hours..

I had planned to dress in line with this casual plan but who was I kidding?!  I teamed a sparkly dress with killers heels and got my make up stash out - I can't resist a chance to get dolled up!

MaxFactor Xperience Foundation

Bobbi Brown Corrector

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

No 7 Créme Touch Translucent Powder

MAC Dainty Mineralize Blush

MAC Dark Edge (from Cult of Cherry Tempting quad) through brows

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Urban Decay Gunmetal - all over lid

Urban Decay Creep - blended out through outer third and crease

Barry M Navy Glitter Dust - lightly placed over entire lid 

L'oreal Voluminuous Mascara

17 Beehive Lipstick

Soap and Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Lipgloss

I gave the Xperience foundation another try since the texture of my skin has improved significantly since using the Oilatum cream.  Unfortunately, it still didn't last long and is definitely a day-only foundation from now on.  And the Soap and Glory lipgloss?  Amazing and addictive...!

xxx

All I want for Christmas is...

Who cares?!

When you can have a mini present EVERY DAY before hand?!

L'oreal are releasing this very special advent calendar featuring a mini product from their portfolio every day..I need this!!

A mini mars bar will just not suffice this year I'm afraid..!

Thank God it's the weekend

A sort of blog-vlog if you will :)

After a long week of mainly ten/eleven hour days, on Friday all I wanted to do was crash.  However, never one to miss out on a social opportunity I hot-footed it to my best friend's house ten miles away to see all my old school friends.  We had a fantastic time laughing, reminiscing and munching some highly calorific treats such as these meringues I threw together ....

After all this I didn't get the early night I needed and then being so dedicated to the shopping cause I woke at 8 on Saturday to go to a nearby open-air market which always promises a bargain.

My early morning was not in vain - a Topshop £28 dress for £6 (pictures later) and these little gems:

John Freida Brilliant Brunette Luminous Colour Glaze - £1

L'oreal Studio Secrets Primer - £2

I've always meant to try these out but never got around to it - for those prices how could I resist?! 

I was home and exhausted by midday and after a quick application of St Moritz I fell into bed and had a fantastic nap.  You know, one of the good ones where you fall asleep easily and sleep for just the right amount of time to ensure you wake refreshed and not groggy.  As a student I have perfected the art of napping...!

I then embarked on the mission of getting ready to head out for the night and after a few hours of primping and preening I was ready to go...I could not be a wash-n-go girl if I tried..!

This was the dress mentioned earlier - I was really not sure about it as 99% of the time I wear black on a night out but I warmed to it in the end.  Variety is the spice of life and all that....

I teamed it with just a black skinny belt and my new Bertie shoes which I couldn't be more in love with if I tried.

The elasticated straps mean they are so insanely comfortable and the fact that I got them in the sale for a tiny price make them 100 times more beautiful.

My make up was pretty standard for me - bit of MaxFactor foundation, 3 tone smokey eye, Hush cream colour base and pinky lips and cheeks.  Classic combo!

I had such a fun filled evening with my bestest and even though one too many tequilas were consumed I actually feel bright and breezy today!

I am going away on Tuesday for 2 weeks so today's tasks are to start packing and schedule some posts - typical lazy Sunday :)

Also, I will be watching The Wanted's music video about a million times to catch a glimpse of this beaut..

I mean...his surname is George - it'd be rude not to marry him right?!

Love Mrs George George

xxx

Out and about this week - Clothes, Make up, Hair & Nails

Dress: Camden Market

Belt: ASOS

It has been so beautifully hot this week that I have spent most of my time in the garden but when needs must and I've had to pop out, I've chosen this dress a fair few times.  It's far too hot to be faffing about with multiple items of clothing so I've just thrown this on, belted up and gone about my business!  The make up has been super-natural - Nivea young tinted moisturiser; any mascara and a clear gloss.

Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

ELF Mineral Foundation - to set

No 7 Mosaic Bronzer - to contour

MAC Hush Cream Colour Base - highlight

No 7 Pink Petal Blush

MAC Bare Canvas Paint - all over lid

Zara black eyeshadow - in crease & outer third

No 7 grey/silver - blended into black 

ELF Medium Eyebrow Kit

Prestige Silk Lipliner

Barry M 147 Lip paint

Jemma Kidd Shell Lipgloss

Earrings: Accessorize

Hair: Styled as in my hair routine

A bit more glam for a night on the town!  I did nearly die from the heat when getting ready though - 28 degree weather + hair dryer + curling tongs = a melted George ...!

Nails of the week: OPI - Got a date to-knight

I really cannot fault this polish - gorgeous wearable pink, applies very smoothly and this photo is after 5 days of wear.  One of my faves for sure!!

Marathon project 20 pan update

Well, I'm not quite sure when I started this little experiment but it feels like a lifetime ago and I am well an truly fed up with it.  Yes I broke down today and bought some new goodies - haul time soon! (Smiles all round..!)

Did I reach 20?  No

Did I learn some things?  Yes

Here's a little run down of what I did manage to use up:
(beware - it is a LONG post.  I completely understand if nobody makes it to the end..!)

1. Aussie Dual Personality Curl Definition and Soft Feel Serum

Meant to 'revive and separate curls & keep your hair soft and curvy.' 

For me, I like the smell (typical Aussie) and it does make my hair soft.  Softer then any other serum?  Well, no not really.  As for the curls - I have come to realise my hair is more wavy than curly and I sadly don't think any product will give me the movie star curls of my dreams.

Will I repurchase? NO

       2. Olay Beauty Fluid

A classic product that is suitable for all skin types.  

I just found it a bit blah.  The fact that it is suitable for all skin types just makes me think that it doesn't really do anything??  It didn't mattify, didn't really hydrate, it was just there.  In the end I just ended up using it for my elbows etc when in a rush.  I think this is more suited for a more mature skin that doesn't really a specific type of skincare.

Will I repurchase? NO (Until I hit my 60s anyway...!)

       3. Tek.nique Straightener Spray

This bottle which I picked up from Sally's promises a multitude of things.  Smooths and detangles; adds body and lift; protects from heat; sun protection - to name just a few...

In reality, the heat protectant is its only real use for me.  I most definitely still had to use serums and hair sprays etc to get the smoothness and volume I so wish for..

Will I repurchase? NO

      4.  Nivea Goodbye Cellulite - Anti-Cellulite Gel Cream

I actually won this from a magazine a good few years ago so I can't really give a definitive review as any active ingredients will have faded away in that time.  What I will say, it does feel lovely and cooling on the skin but I'm not sure I believe a product can help with the dreaded cellulite.  I personally saw no results but then I only had enough product left for a week's worth of usage.  I'd love to know if anyone actually had any real results..

Will I repurchase?  Probably not

    5. L'oreal Elvive Styliste Non-Stop Volume Mousse

Unfortunately this had no effect on my hair whatsoever :(  I really couldn't tell the difference if I used it or not and backcombing and hair spray was still a necessity.  I do have quite long, heavy hair though so for all you trendy girls with pixi hair cuts, this may work wonders! 

Will I repurchase? NO

    6.  John Freida Frizz Ease Dream Curls Curl Perfector

Oh my days I hate it.  I rarely say that but I honestly hate it.  It just turned my hair into a horrible crispy mess. Not even a slightly-crispy-beachy-I'm-cool-with-my-Ke$sh-inspired-hair-mess.  Just a crispy, crunchy mess.

Will I repurchase? NO

    7. Fructis Bamboo Flexihold Hairspray

I actually...wait for it....really like this! Wheyyyy!  It smells like Apple Sourz and gives me hair lots of volume and hold.  Perfect!

Would I repurchase? YES!!!!

   8. Boots Time Delay Gradual Tanning Moisturiser

I think I bought this on a whim with one of those £5 off vouchers that are always floating about.  This actually smells like a really expensive cream and does make my skin feel soft and rejuvenated.  Unfortunately, it makes my eyes water an insane amount and does not give me any hint of a tan.

Would I repurchase? NO

  9. L'oreal Perfect Clean

I absolutely love the scrublet that comes with this product but that is as far as the love goes.  I am technically cheating with this as I haven't used it up at all but it unfortunately broke me out so I don't want to risk using it again.  I have heard great things about this though so don't take my word on this.  I do really want to try the other versions for sensitive skin and exfolation.

Would I repurchase? Not this version

  10.  Simple Oil Balancing Moisturiser

I bought this years and years ago when I had quite oily skin as a teenager.  It therefore is no surprise that this smells very weird as it most probably went out of date a long time ago.  I did give it a try for a few weeks though and I have to say it is very good at mattifying the skin.  However, as my skin is now more dry than oily, it just holds no use for me anymore.  I would recommend it though to anyone with an oily complexion.

Would I repurchase? NO

   11. Dior Capture Totale

This was thrown into a bag when I made a Dior purchase and I never really gave it a second thought.  I have used up the entire pot now though and it is a gorgeous cream.  I think it is probably aimed at an older age group than myself but it did feel really luxurious.  It is very thick and for this reason I only applied it at night to allow it to sink it.  It smells amazing and I did wake up to amazingly soft skin in the morning but for right now I  cannot justify actually buying a full size pot.

Would I repurchase? Perhaps in the future

  12. Superdrug Natural High Brightening Eye Cream

I love this eye cream.  It is cheap as chips, really readily available and makes my undereyes visibly more moisturised.  It contains arnica which is typically used for bruises and therefore really reduces the blueness than can occur under the eyes.

Would I repurchase? Absolutely yes

Conclusions?

All pretty negative really?!!  I guess the reality is, the fact that I didn't use up these products in the first place speaks volumes.  If I had liked them in the first place, they wouldn't be sitting gathering dust.

What have I learnt?

A)  My hair is wavy; not curly.  It therefore will always require heat to achieve any sort of desirable style.  Any products I buy from now on will therefore be for keeping my hair in tip top condition, protecting it from heat styling and for keeping it set in a style for as long as poss.

B) My skin is now basically normal but on the dry side.  I need to focus on protecting it from the sun, keeping it hydrated & plumped up and attempting to even it all out.  I am not 16 anymore! Don't I know it...!

Got this far?!  I salute you - I am bored with myself!

Foundation Ramble & Favourites

This post started life as the 2nd of my '5 Favourites' series... However, I soon realised that I actually don't LOVE any of the foundations I own or have tried.  I am still very much on the quest to find that one foundation that does everything I want it to....

• Even out my skin tone
• Help to conceal redness around my nose and on my cheeks (to be then topped up with concealer if needed)
• Leave me with dewy, healthy, fresh looking skin (My skin is pretty much 'normal' but slightly on the dry side)
• Look fresh all day - with only the occasional sweep of powder needed

Not too much to ask for is it?! 

The reality is that my skin is OK and in the last few months I have wanted to use this to my advantage.  I therefore now look for a more natural, dewy looking foundation whereas before I aspired to a matte look.  It is this change of heart which means I am now lemming Bobbi Brown Skin, NARS Sheer Glow and Chanel Pro or Vital Lumiere.  I have always been a bit wary of buying high end foundations as the few times I have, I have always been colour matched wrongly or hated the product after a day.  However now I feel more comfortable in my product knowledge and colouring I think I need to take the plunge.  I am hoping to get a few samples next time I am in Selfridges to see how they wear on my skin - I really do not want to throw £30 down the drain!

So for the moment, I can't really say I have five foundations that I really love or would highly recommend.  I have however used a few in the past that if push came to shove, I would happily use...

In no particular order:

MaxFactor Miracle Touch Liquid Illusion Foundation

This is the foundation that I am currently using and it has featured in my FOTD posts.  I did really like and I have purchased it a few times but I have recently changed my mind and I'm not so crazy about it anymore.

It is a solid foundation which turns to a liquid on contact with your skin and dries matte.  I apply this with a sponge and I would say it gives a light to medium buildable coverage which is what I like.

I am however finding it now slightly too matte for me and it also works out very expensive at £11.99 for only  11.5g which with every day use, only lasts a month or so..

Clinique Superbalanced Makeup

This was the first high end foundation I purchased and I still remember the thrill of sitting on the stool getting myself colour matched!  However, back then I didn't know to check in natural light first and was pretty upset when I got home, tried it out and realised how orange I looked.  I should, with hindsight, have taken it back but I decided to stick with it.  After a little fake tannage it looked OK and I actually really liked the finish.  It keeps you matte in your t-zone and hydrated in any dry areas.  I would repurchase this I think but get in the right colour..!

Ruby & Millie Sheer Base

I first really started experimenting with make up when I had about 20 of the Boots £5 No 7 and Ruby & Millie vouchers a few years ago.  I picked this up one day and used it for months.  It is a pump action brush-on foundation and gives a very light coverage, perfect for day time.  It does need a slight setting with powder on the t-zone but gives the cheeks a lovely glow.

L'oreal Studio Secrets HD Smoothing Foundation

Perhaps my favourite of this selection.  Another brush on foundation which provides a medium coverage.  It does leave me looking dewy but perhaps TOO dewy?  If my skin was slightly drier this would be HG material.  However, as it is, I still need to powder over the top.

Honourable Mentions

• Revlon Colorstay - Of course, a somewhat cult product.  I don't mind this for evenings when I want a serious heavy duty foundation but for the most part I have to mix this with tinted moisturiser as I really am not a fan of the heavy matte look it provides.  It is OK, but I don't love it.

• ELF Mineral Powder Foundation - I like this to set my foundation on nights out or over tinted moisturiser in the day for no-make-up-make-up-days.  I'm not sure it really gives any coverage though and the lightest colour only looks right on me when I have serious fake tan on.  I like it though for my first try of mineral make up.

I really feel like no matter how great your eye make up is or how pretty your lipstick is, your base needs to be as flawless as possible.  Foundation is therefore the one product I would spend the most on and invest the most time researching.  I am very fickle though and get bored and like choice.  Even if I found a HG product, I'd still probably search for a better one...!  I also hate shopping for it - the potential of getting the wrong colour and also needing one for when tanned; pale; in between - arrrggghh the drama ..!

I love how my skin looks here but I can't for the life of me remember what I had on - always the way!

What are your HG foundations and have you tried the NARS, Chanel or BB?

xxx

Favourites: Mascara

I had a request on Formspring (link to the right) to post about my favourite products.  I thought I would do this as a series, detailing my top 5 products within each catergory.  


My favourite mascaras will be the first to come under fire...
As mentioned in a previous post, I only ever really have one or two mascaras on the go at the same time so I will be using Google images for this - hope you lovely ladies don't mind!  


For me, I like a mascara to give me results - curl, length and volume.  I usually curl my lashes before the application of mascara - or after one thin coat - but it is nice when a mascara can give you a curl without that effort!  I also look for a mascara that gives a natural finish with one coat but can then can be built up to give your lashes as much drama as you wish!


So without further ado, these are - in no particular order - my top 5....

L'oreal Voluminous - RRP £7.99

Lancome Virtuôse - RRP £20

Clinique High Impact - RRP £14.50

Bourjois Volume Clubbing - RRP £7.99

Natural Collection Water Guard - £1.99

There is nothing much to say about these five except they give long, luscious, thick black lashes and the mascara does not budge - important as my eyes regularly water for no apparent reason!  I love all of them and I gladly repurchase again and again - especially the Natural Collection which I held no hopes for but for £1.99 it really does the job!

Next up to try is the Eyeko -I've heard such great things and for £5 one can't really go wrong!  I also need to try the Rimmel Sexy Curves after watching back all of Pixiwoo's videos....

Any other recommendations out there?!

Quick FOTD

Hola bloggers!

Just a very quick FOTD for you, using a new foundation which I purchased on a whim from Boots the other day from Collection 2000 for a mere £3.99 (details below).  I have to say, it performs very well and has put my faith back into drugstore foundations after falling out of love with Colorstay.

Collection 2000 Naturally Radiant Foundation (Natural Beige) mixed 50/50 with Olay Complete Care Multi-radiance moisturiser

GOSH Touch Up concealer (2) under eyes

No 7 Mosaic Bronzer to contour

Revlon Skinlights to highlight

L'oreal True Match (Rose Beige) to set t-zone

ELF Eyebrow Kit (Medium)

MAC Next to Nothing all over eye lid

Bourjois Volume Clubbing Waterproof Mascara

GOSH Darling

Sleek navy eyeshadow (Storm palette) smudged along lower lash line

MOR Lip Delight - Passionflower

Any questions about the products I used?  Let me know in the comments!

xxx