Shopping trip - beauty buys

haul
On Friday myself and Lisa went on a girly shopping trip to Leeds with our bestie Emma. We got up bright and early on a train at 7.45 to meet for some breakfast and discuss where to go from there.

The 1st thing I bought was a handbag from Warehouse as I really needed one big enough to carry my notebooks and Ipad for  on the move bloggin. I love this beige one is big enough to fit everything in and I now have an excuse to buy a bigger makeup bag.


I had also decided I wanted to make most of the buy one get one half price on the high street beauty products in boots and try a Kate Moss lipstick and a Rimmel Apocolips as I read lots of reviews about both but never tried any! So off to boots we went my purchases were The Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in shade 20 and I decided on the colour Apocoliptic for the Apocolips.

I also picked up the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as I have seen amazing reviews on this and it is so affordable. Then I had to pick something else as it was going to be half price and it would be rude not to, so I got one of my all time favourite mascaras Bourjois ultra black clubbing mascara this is so good for a night look its so intense and gives a really full look.
Finally from boots I bought Benefits They're Real mascara as I was running out and love this little handbag size for nights out.

The last shop we visited was Lush and I purchased a few items One was the Spacegirl Bath Bomb (not pictured as I'm too impatient and I used it the night I got back and I repurchased the Candy Bubble bar recently ran out.





I had a brilliant day we had a good old laugh and catch up and the only downside was not buying these glasses, the outfit possibilities would have been endless!!

I will now pass you over to lisa to go through her purchases. We did buy some clothes but thought we would stick to the beauty items.

Like Carrieanne said we had a great time in Leeds and bought some things we had had our eyes on for a while including some ultra light converse for me yeay, a new blog book with owls  on hehehe and some pretty earings i found in the sale at Oasis

I went with a huge list but pick up the essentials first. I decided to give the Smashbox Photoset finishing powder a try after falling for their primer which i reviewed a week or so ago http://beautiesunlocked.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/smashbox-photo-finish-foundation-primer.html
.I also wanted a setting spray and was going to get the MAC version but after reading few reviews  i thought i would go for the Urban Decay one as they do a special one for oil control called de-slick makeup setting spray, which i thought would be perfect for my skin type, i bought the trial size at £9.99 so i could test it out before splashing out on the full size version.

Now this next product i bought on recommendation from Emma as she had been advised to use it by a beautician. We both have the occasional chemical peel and this product is said to give similar results but over a period of time. I can't wait to review this product for you but i want to give it its own post as i feel it is going to be worthy of one.

I also came across a thermal face mask by Sanctuary Spa which is meant to be great for my skin type it is a 5 minute thermal detox mask made with charcoal that is said to have great purifying properties for congested skin. I only bought the sachet trial pack to see if i liked it before i committed to the full size but after one use already i think i will be buying this again in the full sized tube.

Last but by no means least i finally bought the full sized  version of my Liz Earle skin repair light moisturizer which i love after testing the travel size ones i got as a present and raved about in my recent review .
http://beautiesunlocked.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/liz-earl-skincare.html
I think we came away with an even longer wishlist for next time but until then we are both really looking forward to letting you guys know how we get on with all our new buys.
Toodle-oo

Carrieanne & Lisa

A wrinkle free fact

Antioxidants fight free radicals which cause our skin to age. Try to absorb as much antioxidants through your skin as well as internally to reduce the effects of aging. Look for skincare that contains theses magical antioxidants and eat foods like berries and kidney beans. Drinking green tea is great too.

Toodle-oo

Lisa xx

Estee Lauder - Pure Color Lipgloss


After being a fan of a number of Estee Lauder products such as Idealist pore minumizer  skin refinisher and the double wear foundation for many years I decided to try one of their lip glosses, hoping for the same high quality.

I went for the colour, shocking pink, i didn't have time to try it before i bought it but the colour looked so lovely in the tube I just went for it. 


Unfortunately I was really disappointed. The applicator is just a standard wand and the gloss itself was really.... gloopy, probably not the best word to use but hopefully you get what i mean! When I put it on it felt really sticky and thick.

The colour however was quite nice especially over a lipstick I have in a similar shade but it is so uncomfortable to wear with your lips forever sticking together that I would rather just use a different gloss.



What’s worse is each time i open it the gloss has leaked all over the top of the tube so I have to give it a good wipe down before i use it, probably wasting more gloss than I have actually used!
At £17 I think this gloss is over priced, there are lower end brands that offer much better quality at much cheaper prices.

Price**
Colour***
Stayability***
Application*
Quality*

Anyone else noticed this problem in other ‘high end’ products not living up to expectations?

Toodle-oo


Lisa xx

A hair count fact

They say blonds  have more fun but they also have more hair (natural blonds ovbiously!)  blonds have around 140,000 hairs on their heads. Brunettes average around 110,000, while people with black hair have around 108,000. Redheads have the least, with only around 80,000 hairs on average.
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

L'oreal Paris - Super Liner Gel Intenza

brush
I have never really got on with Gel liners either because the brush that came with it wasn't the best of quality making more than one line on each stroke or been totally unusable and bent or the gel itself has been too thick or too dry.


A couple of weeks ago I purchased the Latest in Beauty's Glamour editors box and received the l'oreal Paris Super Liner Gel Intenza as part of this. It came with a brush and I have to say this is the best eyeliner brush I have used. I like the length of it too, perfect not too big so you don't feel like your too far away from the face or that small your hand has to rest fully on your face.



As for application it glides on perfectly and leaves a very smooth finish with just the right intensity of colour. It lasts all day too and doesn't seem to smudge.


I will repurchase this as I get the perfect winged eye look. Watch out for some make up looks including this as I can't wait to experiment with it.

(Sorry if my otherwise makeup less face offends you!)


Price ****
Colour ****
Stayability*****
Application****
Quality****


What is your best gel eyeliner, as anyone else had the same problems as me? 

Carrieanne x 


An egyptian fact

The first makeup was used when Egyptian women painted their eyes, applying dark color (usually made from lead) under the eyelid and blackening their eyelashes not only for definition like we do today but also to warn off evil spirits!
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Dior Rouge Lipstick - Lip Colour

Dior

 I really wanted to try another  Dior product afer falling for their Diorshow waterproof mascara and seen as I’m a sucker for pretty pink products I thought I would give this lipstick a go. It is in the shade of elegant pink.

The packaging was nice but nothing compared to the YSL ones that I have fallen in love with.
The first thing I noticed about this lipstick on applying for the first time was the smell, it reminded me of cheap makeup that I used to buy with my pocket money, not something you expect from Dior especially not at £25
On applying the lipstick I really liked the colour, the texture was is quite nice too, the only problem is that the colour didn’t seem to last very long, an hour or so after initial application I wanted to re-apply which isn’t great!

I think I will try a Dior lipstick again but maybe one from a different range within the brand as this one didn’t really do it for me I’m afraid mainly due to the wierd smell and that it didn't last as long as i hoped.

Price **
Colour *****
Stayability***
Application****
Quality***

Any Dior fans out there?


Toodle-oo

Lisa xx

A toothy fact

Although bright white teeth may be the in thing now, in years gone by Japanese women used to dye their teeth black. Called ohaguro (black teeth), the effect was accomplished by colouring teeth with a dye made with a solution of iron soaked in tea.

Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Understanding My Dry Skin

dry skin

I have extremely dry skin all over my body, my legs and face are the worse part for dry patches and my elbows can become really dry and itchy if I forget to moisturise on a daily basis.



Dry skin is extremely common but are we contributing to making our dry skin worse?
Healthy skin is your body's primary defense against infection so If we let our skin get dried out and cracked, we could be giving bacteria a way in. which could lead to more serious skin problems.
Many of us suffer dry skin simply caused by harsh soaps,  misusing moisturiser and one that I didnt think about was long, hot showers.  Another cause for dry skin could be the medications you take - and even medical conditions such as diabetes, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and malnutrition.
Normal, healthy skin is coated in a thin layer of natural lipids, or fatty substances. They keep in moisture, leaving the skin soft and supple.

So what Causes Dry Skin??

Usually problems start by something in the environment  or something you're doing to your skin  stripping away these fatty oils, leaving your skin unprotected. Sometimes the cause is internal like a health condition or genetic problem which is making your skin dry out.

Here is a few problems that we can avoid by following simple steps
Dry Air 
Dry air is the most common cause of dry skin it sucks the moisture right out of the skin especially in Winter. 
Another problem with this is as it's cold outside we run indoors putting our heating on high which is another cause of dry skin. 
To combat this when outside wear gloves hat and scarfs. Also big long socks will also help keep your legs protect from the dry air as it can get up your trouser legs. 


Misusing moisturiser


If your anything like me you will have tried lots of different moisturiser to try and combat your dry skin,  while moisturisers are a crucial part of dry skin care, experts say that we don't always use them very well.
The biggest mistake I have made and I bet a lot of you too do the same is to  apply moisturiser to dry skin. this wont really work a moisturiser just acts a berrier to keep moisture in the correct way is to apply to a damp face (not wet). This way, the moisturiser is trapping the moisture still on your skin
The moisturiser must also be thick and greasy in order to seal in the moisture needed for good dry skin care and perfume free moisturisers are less harsh too. 
Petronic-Rosic has a simple moisturiser test. "Put some of your lotion in the palm of your hand and flip your hand over," she says. "If it runs or drips, it's not thick enough for dry skin."

Long, hot showers and baths

Prolonged exposure to water - especially hot water - can wash away the natural oils that protect your skin. If you get out of the bath or shower and your skin feels tight, it's dried out.
Choose showers over baths, Why?? Prolonged Exposure to hot water water can wash away natural oils that are vital in protecting out skin. If you feel tight after a bath or shower your skin has dried out.  
Take warm showers rather than hot baths and as soon as you get out pat yourself dry dont rub and apply a nice thick body moisturiser. 
 Soap
Soap is one of the worse products for stripping away your skins natural oils and some people can use way too much of it.
For dry skin care, look for milder, "fragrance-free" soaps.  the best choice is a mild skin cleanser rather than soap.

Since doing a lot of research on this I do now apply my moisturiser (Liz Earle dry/sensitive intense repair moisturiser) while my face is still damp and try and not have as many hot baths (but i love them so much).

I always put on a nice thick body butter on after the bath and try not to use harsh soaps or shower gels.

What products have helped your dry skin???

Toodle- oo 

Carrieanne xx

I

A smiley fact

Smile! It's the most beautiful asset you have. Where it every day.
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Skin types

advice
I don’t know about you but I have always thought there were 3 skin types, oily, dry and combination. Out of these 3 I would consider myself to have oily skin which has caused me to be prone to breakouts. Now through my teens this was fine, focusing all my attention on stopping the spots.
However, as I have got older I never really thought about changing my routine, I believe that the products I buy are working in controlling breakouts (although I still get a few now and again) and I worried that If I change to anything else my spots would come back, so basically I am now in my late 20’s and still treating my skin like I was a teenager!
The main issue with this is that I have been faced with a new challenge, AGING!! I want to use anti-aging products but I have oily skin what on earth do I use! I have been researching this for quite a while now and only this morning I came across this website http://blog.reneerouleau.com.
Renee Rouleau is a lady who has designed a skincare range, obviously the main goal of the website is to sell these products but it is also packed with lots and lots of useful information about skin care, FAQ’s, tips and advice etc. The most interesting bit of info I came across is that there are actually more than 3 skin types. (You learn something new everyday)

This link http://blog.reneerouleau.com/2012/01/3-mistakes-people-make-when-determining-their-skin-type/ takes you to a page on the website that describes 9 skin types highlighting the symptoms associated with each one, this then allows you to pin point exactly where you are.
You can then find details for the perfect skin care regime for your skin type so even if you aren’t interested in trying this specific brand you can note down all the useful info and the products that are best for you and then go and find products that fit the bill elsewhere.
After reading through the list of 9 it was very apparent that I am skin type 2, which is described as oily/combination/occasional breakouts/anti-aging. Which is absolutely bang on!
The symptoms are listed as;
·         Enlarged pores and produces oil mostly in t-zone
·         Skin feels tight, irritated or sensitive when harsh products are used
·         Needs hydration without heavy oils or pore-clogging ingredients
·         May get occasional mild breakouts and cysts (weekly or monthly)
·         May get clogged pores and blackheads
·         Post-blemish red/dark scars that linger
·         Wants to keep skin healthy and smooth
·         Concerned about aging
·         May have hyperpigmentation (brown spots)
Other than the last point all of the above are sooo true for me.
She then goes on to say
‘The key to this routine is: balance. It’s about giving your skin the unique oil-absorbing, acne-fighting ingredients it needs, while nourishing your skin with anti-aging antioxidants. This routine incorporates natural Elderberry Extract, stabilized Vitamin C, and Hyaluronic Acid to do just that. Adding the benefits of Glycolic, Salicylic and Lactic Acid to unclog pores, your skin will be healthy and balanced.
To say I am happy about stumbling across this website is an understatement and I was really tempted to try out the Renee Rouleau range (even though I have become very attached to my Liz Earle products), that was until I saw how much it costs!

For the 11 piece set which includes
·         Luxe Mint Cleansing Gel
·         Elderberry Toner
·         Vitamin C & E Treatment 
·         Daily Protection SPF 30
·         Aloe Cleansing Milk
·         BHA Clarifying Serum
·         Skin Drink
·         Sheer Moisture
·         Firming Eye Therapy
·         Mint Buffing Beads
·         Vitamin C Mask
The cost was a wopping $388.35 which works out about £330!!! I could argue that I don’t need the whole kit but once you start reading the descriptions of each item its hard to decide which bits to leave out so I think I might use the info provided in the website to look for cheaper alternative because there is no way I will be shelling out that kind of cash anytime soon.
I would definitely recommend checking this site out just for the details. I could spend days reading all the great info but here are a few other useful links to the website ;
http://blog.reneerouleau.com/2009/09/how-do-you-handle-both-wrinkles-and-breakouts/
http://blog.reneerouleau.com/category/tips/

Toodle-oo

Lisa xx

A lingering fact

Oily skin holds perfume scents longer than dry skin. So, before applying perfume, rub a very thin layer of Vaseline on the area of skin you apply perfume and it will last much longer :)
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Make My Monday

cleanser
Every Monday we are going to bring you a Beauty product which can be made at home whether its a Face Mask or a Body Scrub, we will try and use a minimal amount of ingredients and ingredients that you can use on a every day basis.

I thought for the 1st week I would keep it really simple and use ingredients that everyone will have to hand in their home. 

Today I am going to show you a really simple scrub using 2 ingredients all you need is your everyday facial cleansing cream or any that you need using up, and a few spoons of sugar.

Steps
1. Wash your face thoroughly using warm water and a soft clean cloth and sure hands are nice a clean too.

2. Put about 1 tsp of cleanser into the palm of your hand making sure its a cream formula one. Any brand can be used. 

3. Add 2 tsps of Sugar (preferably caster or fine grain) into the cleanser and mix with your fingers to make a gritty paste. 

4. Rub lightly into the face in a circular motion been careful around the delicate eye area. Make sure you get into the side of the nose and any dry patches you my have. 

5. Wet a wash cloth with warm water and gently wipe face to remove the scrub rinsing cloth under water when needed until all face scrub is removed.

6. Once all mask is removed and face is clean splash face with cold water. This will close the pores and freshen your skin. Pat dry with a soft towel.

This can be made on a larger scale in a bowl and just be popped into a airtight container ready to be used the next time.

Hope you enjoyed this and look out for more homemade beauty products each and every Monday where we will be looking at the best products for dry, oily and Acne prone skin. 

Thanks For Reading 

Carrieanne xx


A smooth skin fact

To keep your skin smooth without Botox, minimize your intake of sugar and dairy products. Instead pile up your plate with legumes, vegetables and olive oil. These foods have been shown to lead to fewer wrinkles as we age. 
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish, Soft and Gentle

bronzed

I love the bronzed siren look for the summer season and after trying the Benefit Watts Up highlighter I said for my next highlighter purchase I would either try one of the Benefit liquids (moon beam or sun beam) or the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish.

During my recent hols to Mexico I came across a MAC store so I thought I would see if I could recreate the summer ‘bronze’ look with the purchase of  Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle.



The colour is lovely and gives a very subtle shimmer. I love that the powder is easy to apply with a brush or even with finger tips and is better for controlling the build up of colour as apposed to the cream stick which is quite thick.

I found this product quite reasonably priced at £21.50  especially as it does come in quite a large size so it should last for a while!

I can see why some people would prefer the creams such as Benefit Watts Up over the MAC mineralize powder but for me MAC powder would be my preferred choice, simply because of its buildability even though it may mean more reapplying! Maybe it is because I’m not used to using a highlighter. I might have to work my way up to the creams and liquid versions so for now I think I will stick with the subtler versions ; )
I would definitely re-buy this product although I think it may be a little too subtle for some people.

Price****
Staying power***
Colour *****
Application*****
Quality*****

You can get this here
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

A sweet fact

Sugar breaks down collagen and elastin which can cause wrinkles. So too much chocolate doesn’t give you pimples, it can give you wrinkles!

Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Nails for Summer - OPI

nails

These are my summer nail colours from OPI the 2 I chose were 'Pinking of You' a gorgeous baby pink colour which i think is absolutely perfect for summer and 'Dutch ya Just Love OPI?' A deep purple colour with gold fleck which catch in the sunlight perfectly.


I went for the Purple on my ring finger and thumb and did the remaining in pink to finish off the look I popped a pink gem on the purple fingers. 
I love these polishes and look really pretty with a nice summer dress. 

The polishes last a few days without chipping and 2 coats is needed to create the above coverage my only problem with these is they take quite a while to dry so I would recommend using them when you haven't got something else to do for 10 mins.

What are you summer colours??

Cx 

A historic fact

Nail colours were invented in ancient China, but were used only by nobility and aristocracy. Ordinary people were executed if they were caught wearing it.
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Hoola bronzer by benefit

Benefit
I really hate bronzers with sparkly shimmery bits in them, I think it is because I like to look matt and clear because of my oily skin type, I also don’t like to be too bronzed so it’s sometimes difficult to find the right product for me.
I came upon Hoola by accident… well it was actually a very strategic sales move by the girl behind the Benefit counter at Meadowhall! Originally I went in looking for a highlighter but ended up with Hoola as well, after she did me a full make over with her favorite summer products. I liked the very subtle shade which is perfect for me and it is matte too!! ..Bonus

It comes in a little compact box (great for putting in your bag) with a mirror on the inside of the lid and a small brush. I do think the bristles of this brush are too hard for the powder though and they usually end up on your face along with the bronzer. I did notice this when I was having the makeover in-store but decided to buy it anyway and use my own brush.
I like to be able to build products so this is great for me, I also have the tendency to be a little heavy handed which can be a nightmare with a dark glittery bronzers! I usually end up having to wash it all off but with this one it isn’t a problem.
I think this bronzer would definitely be too light for the avid bronzer lovers out there but if you’re anything like me you will love this.

My only concern (other than the brush) is that it is quite pricey especially as it comes in quite a small box, I do miss not being able to get my biggest makeup brush and swirl it around the powder and brush it all over my face, but I guess we can have everything…well ….at least not all of the time : )

Price***
Colour*****
Stayability****
Application**
Quality****
Any bronzed beauties out there a fan of Hoola?

Toodle-oo

Lisa xx

A fashion fact

Coco Chanel popularized tanning after returning beautifully bronzed from a cruise. This resulted in fake tan flooding the market.
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

Welda Skin Food

birch box
I just want to start today's post by telling you a little about my skin type. I have extremely dry and sensitive skin and have suffered from Eczema since I was a baby mostly on my scalp but in times of stress this moved down onto my face.

Another place that suffers from Eczema is my Elbows they go really dry and itchy and sometimes crack.
A few months ago in my Monthly Birchbox I received the Welda Skinfood and WOW I have to say this stuff is amazing. Its says Victoria Beckham is a lover of this product and I can see why.


As soon as my elbows begin to itch I reach for this and within a day or so my skin is back to normal where normally I would suffer weeks at a time. The cream is quite thick in consistence and leaves a pleasant smell.


I would totally recommend this to anybody who suffers from occasional dry skin patches. I will definitely be repurchasing and it is available to buy here with free delivery worldwide.

Carrieanne xx

A fact about water

Drinking enough water is key to keeping your skin healthy. Not only can water make wrinkles less noticeable, but it also increases blood flow and reduces toxins.
Toodle-oo
Lisa xx

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