Lily Loves... Lilygrams Elegant Touch Nails Review.

I popped into Claire's Accessories a few days ago and managed to pick up a pack of Lilygrams for £2 in their sale, reduced from £9. Recently, I've been using false nails and gel extensions a lot more, especially press on ones. With my final deadlines coming up it has been hard to pamper myself so press on nails have been a perfect add on to my beauty routines. I'll be reviewing these as if I'd purchased them for the full price. Included in the pack is a nail file, nail glue, instructions and 24 nails in 10 sizes.

Price: £9. Purchased for £2.

Time Trailed: 4 days 

What's your favourite Film and Book you've read 2014? #Currysfiresidefiction

As part of Curry's #Currysfiresidefiction and their competition to win some amazing kindle and Amazon prizes that can be seen here, I have been asked to write about my favourite book and film I've read and seen this year and I must admit it's been quite tough to pick just two from the amount I've read and seen!

Eventually I decided on one of each. My book of choice is The Further Adventures of An Idiot Abroad by Karl Pilkington, and for my film choice, The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki.

Both have been brilliant to fill up some spare time and I highly recommend you to read or watch them! Read on to see why I decided to pick these books.

Poundland Makeup; Make Up Gallery Pro Liquid Eyeliner and Pout It Out Nude 1 Review and Swatches!

So I took the plunge and bought some Poundland makeup. I've seen it on various media websites with mixed and good reviews and while I was in town I decided to pick some products that I would use in my everyday looks.

I picked up a few but today I decided to review a nude lip liner, which I know would be a tough test as I do not suit nude lips at all, as my lips are very red without product on, and the liquid liner because I'm a liquid liner hoarder.

Both were priced at £1 per item, and the same goes for the whole line of products.

Time Trialed: 3 weeks.

I'm back!

Hey everyone!

I decided to have a shirt hiatus from the blogging world. So what happened while I was away?

I decided to take a break after becoming very ill on and after my Birthday. I spent in London for my Birthday, then after my Birthday I was struck with the flu followed by a winter cold, which led me to miss lots of blogging opportunities and events. With my work and university work on top of this I decided to take a short break to clear my mind and get better, which has helped me a lot! This week I headed back to london with my University to visit some art galleries and museums, did a little shopping at my usual shops then headed back to wet and windy Wales.

Here is some of what has been going on in my life in pictures...

 I was lucky enough to see some amazing works in the Tate, Victoria and Albert Museum and even spotted some Moschino jewellery on show.

For my birthday I stayed in London, went shopping and did general tourist things such as visit Madame Tussauds.

At the moment in University I'm doing printing which is a lot of hard work, I'm creating woodcut pieces, hand painted screen prints and etching plates. We're creating these with the human body as a theme, it's time consuming but knowing its hand made is rewarding once you see the work finished.

Before I got ill, I was able to go to the Student Lock in in Cardiff, which was a lot of fun but very busy! I was invited to attend by Superdrug to see what they had to offer on the night and what kind of Christmas gifts they had in store.

Starting from this week I'll be blogging again about make up beauty and life in general. Apologies for the lack of posts everyone!

Lush Christmas 2014 Blogger event!

I was invited to attend Cardiff Lush's Christmas Blogger event to see what was instore for their Christmas line and have a chance to get some information about the new products.
The night didn't consist of demos and group activities like the last event as the products were mainly extensions of their current products, but it was still fun to have a relaxed night of shopping and seeing old and new faces.

New products in included new Bubble Bars, Bath Bombs, shower gels, body dusts, face masks, laced with shimmery glitters and gorgeous scents.

Cardiff Student Lock In event 2014!

On Tuesday the 7th of October the Student Lock in event will return to Cardiff with some amazing discounts for Cardiff Students.

To sign up to the event and gain quick access to all the shops you'll need to pre-register on this link: Click!

Or you can alternatively turn up on the night with your student ID and sign up on the sign up stations.

The discounts on the night are amazing and some shops only do this once a year, the best discounts I have found so far include:

Boots: 10% off

Beauty Studio by Superdrug: 20% off

John Lewis are price matching and have up to 20% off, with Benefit Cosmetics showing off their latest products on the main walkway on the upper level of St Davids.

Urban outfitters are doing student night but I'm not sure what discount but I'm assuming between 10% - 20%

Fred Perry: 20% off and goodybags with every spend over £100

All Saints: 20% off

The Perfume Shop: 15% off

Quiz Clothing: 20% off full priced stock.

Select Fashion: 20% off.

Not all shops are doing discounts, so make sure you check to see what's on offer. Full list of discounts can be seen here: Click!

YSL Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss and Blush Swatches and Review!

Having recently purchased another colour for my Kiss and Blush collection I thought I'd do some swatches and review what colours I currently own and show this product to you all.

I currently own Shade 4 (Orange Fougueux) kiss and blush, Shade 3 (Rose Libre) Kiss and Blush and Shade 12 (Moca Carconne) Kiss and Blush, which is my newest addition. The formulas are designed to be used on the lips and cheeks and have a velvet smooth texture with a matte finish.

Price: £27

Time Trialed: 5/6 Months.

YSL Yves Saint Laurent, Le Teint Encre De Peau, Fusion Ink Foundation Review!

So after receiving a sample and using it twice I thought I'd treat myself to the foundation when it was launched in Boots Cardiff. I  chose the colour BD40 which is slightly lighter than my skin tone, which is how I prefer my foundation to be, and managed to get £10 worth of points if I purchased another item which was silly to turn down.

I did like using the sample, however, upon using this foundation more I have mixed feelings on it. Why? Avoid if you have dry, flakey skin or are unable to exfoliate often.

Price: £30.50

Time Trialed: 3 weeks.

Up and Coming Event; Balance Me Shopping Event at Debenhams Cardiff!

Balance Me, a skincare company that works with your skin is holding an event courtesy of Marie Claire at Debenhams Cardiff on the 2nd of October, with 15% off and goody bags worth over £75! Everyone who attends will also have the chance to win a Balance Me hamper worth £150.

The evening will also be hosted by Co owner and director of the company, Sian Jones and the Balance Me team to showcase the products and give you a consultation to pick the correct products for your skin type.

Since 2005 Claire and Rebecca Hopkins have been creating Balance Me products which started with a super toning body oil and their products caught the eye of Topshop who ordered their products as VIP treats. Within a year they had won awards and sold in shops throughout the UK. With their Holistic background you know the products will be amazing quality and work with your skin while helping it maintain and balance the skins health.

Tickets to the event must be purchased before going to the event which is £10 at this link, which isn't redeemable but you do get 15% off and a goody bag with a chance to win more goodies. The event runs from 6-8pm on the 2nd of October 2014.

I now have my own website! Sindyydoll.uk!

I have recently purchased my own website name! It's over at Sindyydoll.uk, where the posts will be the same as here but held under that url.
My email address has also changed and I can be contacted at press@sindyydoll.uk.
Happy reading!

Rimmel London UK Wonder'full Mascara review!

Infused with Argon Oil this mascara claims to protect and condition lashes while giving clump free length and volume with it's plastic short bristled brush. I purchased this mascara while on it's introductory offer in Boots Cardiff.

The packaging was the first thing I liked with this product as it does have a higher end feel to it. I'm finding this a lot lately with drug store brands that they are definitely upping their game with their packaging and look to become more luxury looking.

Price: £5.99: Now £7.99
Time Trialed: 3 weeks.

NARS Taj Mahal Review!

Long overdue review on one of the most flattering blushers around, Taj Mahal by NARS. I can vividly remember purchasing this blusher and the first time I saw it. My instant reaction, "Who would even want an orange blusher?" and upon application was swiftly followed by "Oh, I guess that would be me." 

Highly pigmented, NARS blushers rarely disappoint, this blush is a vivid orange that turns slightly more red once applied to the skin, with a beautiful tone complimenting gold sheen.

Time trialled: Year and a half.

Price: £22.50

Lush Cardiff Summer Bloggers Event!

Last week I was lucky enough to go along and meet other bloggers in Cardiff and see some of Lush's newest products at their Summer Bloggers Event. I was able to see some of their old products as well as their new and gain some information on lush and their products.
There was also a demonstration and samples from Penarth born tea company, Waterloo Tea.

This event covered their new Suncare line, Self Preserving products and the re-release of their Gorilla Perfume line.

Look Of The Day #4

Later on tonight I'll be attending the Lush Summer Blogger event in Cardiff so I thought I'd share my look with you all!
I've done a purple cut crease with strong brow, lip balm and orange blush.
Hair, Lightly curled with Tresemme Freeze Hold Spray.
Heres a run down of all products;

Primer; Smashbox Photo Finish Adjust  

Foundation; Rimmel Clean Finish Foundation

Powder; Stila Angel Light Shade E 

Brows; Guerlain Météorites Blossom Écrin Sourcils Eyebrow Kit

Eyeshadow Primer; Pixi Beauty 

Eyeshadows; Sleek Showstopper Pallet

Mascara; Too Faced Lash Injection

Eyeliner (Outside); Makeup Revolution 

Lips: Collection Mardi Gras Lip Balm 2

Eyeliner (Inside); Pixi Beauty

Blusher; Nars Taj Mahal

Outfit

Dress; New Look, Current Season, £14.99

Kimono; Urban Outfitters, Current Season, Sale, £24.99

Tights; Primark, £3.

I heart Makeup, Makeup Revolution Blushing Hearts Triple Baked Blusher Review!

While I was at the Superdrug Beauty Store opening last month I decided to pick up a new blusher from I heart Makeup. I usually go for pinks rather than bronze-y peach colours but decided to give this a go. I was pleasantly surprised! There are three types and I chose Peachy Keen.

Price: £4.99

Time trialed: Month and a half.

But I don't want to be pink toned! Why am I yellow toned? Questions and Comments MUAs get often #1.

So I've decided to create a new regular topic on my blog, which is questions or comments us Make Up Artist's get often and the most regular questions I face on a day to day basis with clients and customers.

Let's start with;

"Why do you think I am yellow toned? I want to be pink and I usually use pink toned foundations!"

Beauty Studio by Superdrug VIP bloggers and press launch. Review + Pictures!

I was invited to pop along to the VIP launch for the new Superdrug store in Cardiff last week where bloggers and press got a sneak peak at what the store had to offer. Being the only store like this in the UK I was very ecstatic when I had the invite!

I went along with fellow blogger SJ / Cowbiscuits to have a look around and hopefully do a little shopping!
We were greeted and given a brief rundown on what the store has to offer before we were let loose in the store. We were also given £25 on a gift card to treat ourselves to whatever we wanted!

Services offered inside ranged from HD brows, LED Gels, free nail painting when a Revlon varnish is purchased, to makeovers, perfume samples and even has it's own hair salon!

One thing I did note that I had full respect for was how every heading and description that I could see was bilingual. Diolch yn fawr, Superdrug! 

I'm moving house!

So today I shall be moving from one area of Cardiff to another.

I currently live in Roath, which is a popular student/residential area of Cardiff with lots of life and atmosphere. I will be moving to the Heath area of Cardiff which sadly has less character in my opinion but thankfully doesn't have as many students. Plus I can go back to my old Dr. (Which I hope is still there!) who was lovely compared to the one I see on City Road, who is a little patronizing. I will be living with 3 Professionals whilst I'll still be a part time student and working. 

So you may have noticed the lack of posts recently, this is due to my move. I have packed up all my makeup and have left the newest purchases at my parents house for safe keepings. These includes YSL Kiss and Blush, W7 pallets, Soap and Glory skincare some Ciate nail polishes and a whole lot of Yankee Candles! I have also started working in a local bar in town for extra money which is so fun, feels like I'm on a night out but I get to earn money for it!

So please bare with for the next week or two then expect a whole lot of blogging!

Smashbox Santigold The Santigolden Age Collection Overview with Makeup Look!

I thought I'd take the time to write a post about Smashbox amazing new collaboration with Santigold called The Santigolden Age Collection for Summer 2014. It is inspired by Santigold's love for the Mayan calender and bold bright colours.

The collection consists of;
x1 Pack of double nail sticker strips £10
x2 Double ended eyeliners £16 each
x1 Lipstick ring £39
X2 Lipglosses in the new Be Legendary formula £15
x2 Eyeshadow pallets £25 each

I was excited about this collection when it was first revealed and fell in love with the green pallet, Earth As We Know It from the word go, the pigments are creamy smooth and easy to blend, and easy to turn into a lovely natural summer look with a green pop of colour.

Here are some of my favourites...

Lipglosses are in the new Be Legendary formula, no more sticky lips with this ultra smooth lightweight texture and high shine, and they even have an amazing colour pay off and staying power. I'm not one for lipglosses but when these were released I have not stopped wearing them!

For use in the water line and as a base for eyeshadows and more obviously to line the upper and lower lids the eyeliners are bold in colour, containing one gold colour teamed up with a blue, Azurite is never wrong / El Dorado and a cool toned minty green teamed with a bold yellow, Yellow Dwarf / Green Martian is a perfect way to add some colour to a look if you're just starting using eye makeup. Fool proof and easy to apply with it's creamy formula it can even be teamed up with the eyeliners!

Do pop in to your local Smashbox counter to see this collection before it's gone! It's made with such artistic care and the pigments are amazing, it's great if you're starting off experimenting with eye makeup or a collector for Limited Edition makeup lines. I work at the Cardiff Boots Queen Street branch so do come in for a demo of these fantastic products.

Here's my look using the Lipgloss, Hot Lava, mixed with the lipstick from the Ring, Still Kickin, Earth As We Know it Pallet on the eyes. Other makeup seen; 24 HR Eyeshadow Primer, Studio Skin in 1.2, Brow Tech Trio in Dark Brown,  Radiance Blush Rush, Onyx Eyeliner, and a Full Exposure mascara.

Views on this collection are my own and not those of Smashbox Cosmetics. This is not a sponsored post.

Look of the day #3

Here's a look I did last week for a date with the boyfriend to bowling and a meal.
Quite natural but I decided to use Adore Delano (But toned down a little!) as inspiration to do a light cut crease with a bold liner with a bright pink lip.
I decided to use my new W7 In The Buff pallet and their Honey Queen Blush / Bronzer. Reviews for those coming up in the next few weeks!

I could have taken the crease much darker in depth but I decided not to as it wasn't a night time look I was aiming for!

Products used:

Primer: Smashbox original PhotoFinish.

Foundation: Smashbox Studio Fix in 1.2 

Blusher: W7 Honey Queen, NARS Gina

Eyes: W7 In The Buff pallet, Pixi Gel Liner Onyx, Pixi Large Lash Mascara Black NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner in Via Vaneto

Eyebrows: Guerlain Ecrin Scourcils Eyebrow Kit

Lips: Benefit Lollitint with Smashbox Lipgloss Melondrama