Pixi Beauty H20 Skin Tint Review

After seeing this online and talking to Global Makeup Artist Amanda in store on one if my visits, I knew I had to try this product. As you know, I've been looking for a day time foundation to just apply quickly or to wear under powder when my skin doesn't need a lot of coverage. To be honest, cheaper brands haven't worked for me because the formula changes too quickly in the bottle or it feels horrible and effects my skin. So with this in mind, I went back to basics, looking at new products from brands I know and use daily.

This product is water based, so it hydrates skin and combats oil, it has coverage which is buildable and evens out the tone of skin, which is great for when I do need more than just a sheer tint, and products can be applied on top for if I want a matter look. Sounded like the product I've been looking for.

Time Trialled: Around 6 months.

Price: £24

Colour: Nude 02.

Butter London Nail Lacquer and Matte Lippy Review!

Having only knowing Butter London for having high quality nail varnishes, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that they also do a make up line following a meeting with Purple PR.

I was given some Butter London nail lacquers and a matte lipstick to try and review. I already knew the nail polish would be a high standard product so I was excited to try out the Lipstick.

Time Trialled: 2 Months

Price: Nail Lacquer £12

:  Lippy Matte Lipstick £18

Superdrug Beauty Studio First Birthday!

I was invited to go along to a ticketed event to celebrate the first birthday of Beauty Studio by Superdrug in Cardiff St Davids 2. I can't believe it's been a year since I was invited to the launch of the studio!

The event was for press and for beauty shoppers, where we were given the chance to get selected beauty treatments for free and treated to 10% off with the use of their Beauty Cards.

Happy National Lipstick Day!

Today is National Lipstick day and I thought I'd share some of my favourite lipsticks. I've chosen lower end and high end lipsticks that are my current and past favourites. Take a look at what I've chosen for my favourite Pastel, Classic Red, Non wearable, Nude, budget and lip balm. 

Unite 7 Seconds Condition review.

Before receiving this product I rarely used conditioners as they often make my hair feel greasy and flat after a day. I haven't thought about using a leave in conditioner as a substitute so I was keen on trying this product.

Having coloured hair I should ideally be using some sort of conditioner, and my hair is naturally wavy, so as you can imagine it does get tangled and is hard to brush.

Time Trialled: 3 Months

Price: £16.90 Directly from Unite Hair

Unite's products are not tested on animals and the product smells fresh and clean. The consistency is quite light weight and comes out as a mist which is absorbed into the hair quickly. It instantly feels soft and doesn't have a sticky residue or texture. It can also be used as a heat protector for hot hair tools and is a UV protector.

Sk:n Clinic Treatment review; Glycolic Peel

During the Sk:n launch event in my last post, I was offered one free treatment, with the two options being a Glycolic Peel and a Microdermabrasion.

I opted for the peel, as I have quite bad scarring and uneven skin texture. I booked in for a week after the event. I didn't know what to expect or what the outcome of the treatment would look like. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the nurse who was doing the Glycolic Peel on my skin and the receptionist. I signed paperwork and got taken into room 1 which was the skin assessment room.

A Glycolic peel removes your top layer of skin, which helps your skin produce new collagen and elastin, and helps with skin concerns such as scarring, unevenness and texture of your skin.

The cost of a treatment is £80, and it is recommended you have at least 3 - 6 treatments.

Sk:n Clinic Cardiff Opening Press Event

Last week I was invited to attend the Sk:n Clinic opening party at David Lloyd in Cardiff to see what the clinic offered, see live demos and learn more about skin care. The event's attendees included local press, bloggers, and skin care specialists. Brightly lit, the clinic looked welcoming and clean with its white interior and calming blue colour scheme.

Inside, there were nibbles, champagne, and welcoming Sk:n specialists waiting to answer any questions on hand.

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 

Lush Mother's Day and Easter Bblogger event!

I was invited to attend Lush Cardiff's seasonal event to showcase their new products. Unfortunately I missed all the demos but I was shown around by their helpful staff to see what they had in store for this season. I went in with a few questions in mind as I feel as though my shower and skincare routine could deal with a freshen up and accidentally spent over my budget, oops!

Beforehand I'd looked online to catch up on products I'd miss out on in the demos so I was clued up before I went in and knew what I wanted.

#HillarysCrafternoon Craft Afternoon!

On the first of March I was invited to attend an afternoon with JoeBloggers, The Crafty Hen and Hillarys to learn how to create some exciting crafts using Hillarys blind fabric.

I was excited to try something different and go to an event that was a change from beauty blogging and it was a refreshing afternoon to create something that I could use and take home! 

This event was held in Chapter Arts in Canton, Cardiff. I'd never been before but the building was beautiful and I had a shock to see how big the building actually was. If you haven't been here please do check it out, it hosts some local talent and live acts.

During the day, we created a book cover, and a fabric bird.

   

An evening with A Model Recommends and COLAB @ Superdrug Beauty Studio.

Last week Superdrug Beauty Studio in Cardiff hosted an evening with Ruth Crilly from A Model Recommends and COLAB for a selected group of lucky customers and bloggers. Unfortunately I could not attend as my boyfriend just came out of hospital and I had to look after him, but thought I'd get some information on the event for my readers.
COLAB is a range of dry shampoo for grown ups used by industry professionals and created by them too.

The night was filled with demos how tos, product showcases on how to get the best out of the products and to Celebrate the new Extreme Volume collection and launch the products nationwide in Superdrug stores. 

Ruth led the masterclass by demonstrating how to achieve a catwalk ready style in the easiest way possible using the dry shampoo range by COLAB. 

The range includes dry shampoos inspired by the Fashion capitals of the world, London, Paris, New York, Rio and Toyko each with a sheer and invisible formula that adds volume.

The dry shampoos range from £1.99 - £4.49 and can be purchased from Superdrug here: Click to see the full range!

How to clean make up brushes. Questions and Comments MUAs get often #2.

Continuing with my MUA questions series, today's post will be about cleaning brushes. Ideally you need to be washing them twice a week, and spot cleaning them with brush cleaner throughout the week to keep your brushes clean and germ free, but I know it can be a struggle with time to do this.

It's simple, easy and you should include it in your house and beauty chores list. Not only will your make up go on a lot better, you'll notice clearer skin, and a better finish to your overall look. Read more to see why, and how to clean brushes quickly and cheaply!

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.

TheBalm How 'Bout Them Apples Cheek and Lip Pallet Review!

This is something I've always wanted to purchase from TheBalm but didn't want to until it came about in the UK and I had a chance to get it thanks to Superdrug Beauty Studio at the Student Lock In in Cardiff.
The Pallet consists of 6 apple inspired shades which are a very creamy consistency that dry to a non sticky texture. All the shades in this pallet can be used on the lips and cheeks.

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.