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Monday, January 31, 2011

Lou's Reviews :: Battle of the Cleansers

Aloha Bloggerinos,

For the past few months, I have become somewhat obsessed with skin care. In my quest for beautiful skin, I have tried a few different cleansers/makeup removers and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you. I have actually already made my YouTube video on this, which you can see HERE.

 

Way back when in about November, I was given a little sample of a Lush Cleanser called 9 to 5, which claims to 'clean the skin thoroughly with a mild antibacterial action'. I totally used all the sample (I don't always do this if I'm not enthused. I was also given an 'UltraBland' sample but didn't really warm to it) and wanted more! Soooo, in the boxing day sale, I bought a bottle for half the original price. I was going to link you to Lush and tell you the rrp but as you may well know, the site has been hacked and is temporarily shut. I *THINK* 9 to 5 Cleanser is around the £6-7 mark for a smaller bottle.


Seeing as 9 to 5 is infused with orchid oil and everlasting flower, it really does have the most soothing yummy effect on the skin.

To achieve this I wet a piece of cotton wool pleat, squish it down so it's damp, not soaking, squib on some cleanser (yes, squid) and gently rub onto my face. A lot of makeup comes off with this step, but then I take another damp cotton wool pleat with no cleanser on and rinse. I can't describe the soothingness, but it feels really calming.

It's great for taking skin makeup off but I found it struggled with my eye makeup. I think if you are a gal that only wears a light dusting of eyeshadow and a slick of mascara, you might be ok, but for my primer, shadow, eyeliner and looooadddsa mascara'd kind of eyes, it's no match. Sad times. Because if this flaw, I only use this in the mornings to kind of pep my skin up and to cleanse it of general impurities, not as a makeup remover. Or sometimes, I just use it for a little skin treat :)


As always with Lush, packaging is spot on. Sleek, unique to Lush, enjoyable to have on display in your bathroom and I enjoy that it has a small opening so you can control the flow of product, preventing mess.

In the absense of the UK site, you can check out the Lush USA site HERE.

Next up on my little quest for cleany clean skin is the MAC Pro Eye Makeup Remover which retails at £13.50 for the big 100ml bottle. I was actually sent a sample with a little postal order I made a few months back and had been saving it.

I used it all, so far so good. I had high hopes for this little number, especially since my opinion of a lot of other MAC Products is uber high, but sadly I was a bit let down. It claims to be a 'mega effective remover that lifts off every look', but as with the Lush Cleanser, I found it didn't really remove all my eyemakeup. I will be fair though and say that the sample was really teensy, so I wasn't overly generous with how much I put on the cotton wool pleat, and also I dampened the cotton wool, thus diluting the remover a bit.


I really liked the fragrance of this, not chemically but just pleasantly clean. This is a really winner for me because I am ultra fussy about smells. I also found it left my sensitive skin calm and happy, which isn't always the case with makeup removers.

I won't really go too far into this one as I don't think I had enough to fully give a fair opinion on it but I would say it's OK, but not something I will be buying soon. It works alright, but unlike the Lush 9 to 5, it doesn't make my skin smile.

On a side note, have you tried the makeup wipes from MAC- wowzas I bloomin' love them! I wish I had some of those to review for you because it would be smiles all round :)

You can check it out for yourself HERE.

Last but by no means least, is the hero of the hour. This is the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser Kit- phewf what a mouthfull!


The idea with this is to squirt a little bit of the product (which comes out as a smooth, rich, white cream) onto your fingers, massage into dry skin, then using a wet with warmed/hot water muslin cloth (2 are provided in the kit), remove (or 'polish off') the massaged in cream and it takes away all makeup and impurities.

At first I was quite sceptical about this product. Yes, I too have read a lot about it on other blogs, but I couldn't see how this white creamy stuff would manage to get off all my eyemakeup/how my eyes wouldn't sting after having something massaged into the lashes. I was wrong. Oh so wrong. This is a remover of kings I tell thee.

I could go on all day about this item but I'll try and just keep it short with what I love about it.

It is uber gentle on my skin. I haven't felt tight/dry/irritated, just fresh as a daisy. I think this may well be down to the fact that it is 'plant based'. Winner.

It has a really refreshing scent to it. As I have said a million times before, I am super fussy about fragrances but this just smells really zingy and fresh. It took me about a week to work out it was the eucalyptus. Love it.

In the kit, which retails for £13.25, you get the 100ml bottle, 2 generous sized muslin clothes and a cute pastel green wash bag to keep it in. I was really glad of the 2 clothes because it means you can have one in the wash and still use your cleanser. Top tip- Don't be a fool and put your cloth in with your jeans...unless you like baby blue. Top Fact- I read somewhere tha Kylie Minogue uses muslins to remove her makeup and look at her skin- Flawless!


The packaging is very bathroom friendly. Pastel green, sophisticated and grown up. The bottle has a pump top, preventing wastage and contamination. I only use one or two pumps a night, so hopefully this will last a while.

It removes ALL my makeup!!!!!!!!! Even dark bases like MAC SharkSkin Shadestick can't fight this.

It's pretty fair to say that I am a convert and will buying this over and over, for richer for poorer, til death us do part.

I urge you to have a look at this little wonder, HERE.

Have you tried any of these products or do you have something that you lovity love? Let me know :)

Toodlepip!

xx

Little Disclaimer- Liz Earle Cleanser was sent to me to review, but as I'm not paid by them or anything serious like that, I give you Bloggerinos my honest opinion and thoughts. Woop woop.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Edge





Top: Equipment. Scarf: Madewell. Pants: Jcrew Minnie. Shoes: Luxury Rebel. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Purse: Vintage LV. Belt: Jcrew. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, BR, GAP, Michael Kors. Lipstick: Make Up For Ever Professionals #41. Nails: Essie, Lollipop.

YouTube- Great Big Baby Clothes Haul

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I've just got back from the London IMATS 2011 and was about to make a haul video, when I realised I still had the Baby Clothes video lurking in my file. I've been being really good lately and been doing all your requests, so do let me know if you have any suggestions or wants. I know a lot of you have left me requests on my 1000 Followers Lush Giftset Giveaway (click HERE to enter) and I will tally all those up when the contest closes- thank you to those who have already entered and requested something :)

I've got TONNES of Lou's Reviews coming up for you, as well as a crafty post and maybe another pregnancy update- that's a lorra lot!




Also, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who said such lovely things on my Nursery Tour and especially to those who gave me the nappy advise I asked for, I feel a lot more informed and a lot more confident, and that means a lot to me.

Happy Viewing xxx

Toodlepip!

xx

Friday, January 28, 2011

Dash





Sweater: Banana Republic. Skirt: H&M. Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Flowers: H&M. Sunglasses: Chloe. Jewelry: Michele, David Yurman, Forever21, Thrift, BR.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

YouTube- Long Awaited Nursery Tour!!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

I'm 33 weeks pregnant now and finally have Baby Girl Watson's (or Baby Glitter- I do love that suggestion tres much) bedroom shipshape and showable.

I'm sure that in time and when finances allow, more will be added to it, but for now, I'm happy and I think it will serve Baby Glitter very well.

As promised, I'm putting a link up for you because YouTube's settings have changed slightly and this video could well get lost in the abyss :(




Enjoy!

Toodlepip!

xx

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Lou's Reviews :: Collection 2000- March Range

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Last week I was kindly sent a few bits from Collection 2000 that will be hitting the shelves this March and so I thought I'd give you a sneak peak and my glittery opinion of them.

I am always really grateful when companies send me products to review, it's definitely a perk of blogging, but I do want to make it clear that I'm not paid by them or anything serious like that, so this means I can be completely honest- woop :)


This is the Ultimate Fix foundation in '02 Honey', that will be retailing at £4.99- bargain. It claims to be a 3 in 1 powder, foundation and concealer but from what I can tell, it's more of a cream to powder effect foundation, ie, it goes on like a foundation and then sets like a powder. However, I think if you were to have any blemishes that you wanted to give a bit of extra love to, you could easily just build up the product a bit in that area because it is tres creamy.


I would class this as giving a light to medium coverage, depending on how thickly you apply it, either with the sponge provided (very nice touch because there is also a mirror which would be uber handy if you were on the go or away for the weekend) or with your own tools (brushes, wedges, fingers).


(Below the foundation compartment is a secret layer of sponge and mirror. I do love a good compact)
This reminds me so much of Benefit's 'Some Kinda Gorgeous' foundation faker, which is my best friend during the summer months when I am sporting a (fake) tan and don't want too much on my face. I was comparing the both of them this morning and found I actually preferred the consistency of the Collection 2000 formula- it seemed more moist/creamy and this gave you a little more blending time.

Packaging wise I'm a happy bunny. Everything you need- product, mirror, sponge; shuts securely so no all-over-the-inside-of-your-handbag situations, sleek, simple, not gawdy or tacky. Win win.

Next up on our little sneaky peaky journey is the SkyScraper Length and Definition Mascara, which I have in '01 Black' and that will be retailing for another bargainous £4.99.


The wand of this mascara is very unusual in that it is a plastic bristle brush but one one side the bristles are longer than the other. It took me a little while to get the hang of this, but now that I have I'm really loving it. The short bristles let me get really close to the lash root on to fully coat the teensy weeny lashes on the inner corner, and the longer bristles let you kind of cuuurrrll your lashes upwards, thus creating length.


This mascara basically does exactly what it says on the tin. There is no thickening or volumising but there is definitely lenghtening and defining, thanks to the special applicator wand. This is a perfect daywear mascara, for when you want to feel fluttery and feminine but not too 'done'.

Packaging-wise I rreeeaaallllly like it. It's so unusual to see a white mascara and I'm having a bit of a thing for white things at the mo, so again, I'm a happy bunny.

The third product I have are the new 'Lock 'n' Hold' lipglosses. There will be 6 new shades coming out, of which I have 5. At £2.99 a pop and with such 'out there' packaging, I would say these will be well loved by a slightly younger buyer. I'm 25 and perhaps a bit fuddy-duddy, but I do prefer more sophisticated packaging. My 14 year old sister however, really liked them and thought the foundation packaging was 'boring', so it goes to show that everyone is different. 


Once I'd had my little think on the pink lid and graffiti writing, I was actually really impressed with the actual gloss formula. Shiny, shimmery, good staying power (it claims to last 6 hours but I didn't actually keep it on this long so couldn't tell you if this is a fact or not) and nice buildable colours. If you are a fan of lilac (do you remember last year when everyone went gaga for lilac lipstick?) then there is a shade in there just for you! 

(Colours- Break Dance, Rock Steady, Twisted Disco, Beat Box, Urban Punk)

Two unique selling points to these glosses that I noticed are 1) The Wand and 2) The Scent. The applicator wand is a spatula shaped sponge that I have never come across before. I do prefer doe foot wands but this is manageable and does provide as good a coverage as the doe foot. It is slightly more flexible, which some may like, some may not.
The scent is really unusual for a lipgloss- it smells just like victoria sponge cake (to me anyway!).

I think these are a really good price, something that a girl new to cosmetics would be able to afford on something she would enjoy to have in her stash.  

If you're interested in what else Collection 2000 has to offer, click HERE.

What do you think Bloggerinos? Up your street?

Toodlepip!

xx

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Golden Grecian






Dress: H&M. Shoes: Tory Burch. Scarf: Unknown. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, Pomellato, Forever 21, Jcrew, GAP, BR.

YouTube- My Current Skincare Routine

Aloha Bloggerinos,

Has anyone noticed the change on YouTube? I usually like to go on there and see what videos have been uploaded by people I subscribe to but alas, it wasn't the usual format! As a Taurus, I don't take well to change and I was all bamboozled and aggrieved by the whole shibang. Thheeeennnn I thought, if I can't see your videos, you can't see mine! Uh oh!

So to combat this, I've decided that each time I upload a video (which I'll admit, isn't as often as I'd like!), I'll just give you a little link and if you want to watch you can and if you don't, then that's OK too!

Being a bit of a technology dingbat, I haven't worked out quite how to 'hyperlink' my images yet (despite Zoella explaining it only an hour ago ahaha), sooooo I've popped the link under the image..smoooooottthhhhh.

My latest video is a requested one- My Current Skincare Routine.



Enjoy!

Toodlepip!

xx

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Warm Light





Jacket: Zara. Pants: Jcrew. Sweater: Zara. Top: Express. Shoes: Pour La Victoire. Sunglasses: Chloe. Purse: Chanel. Jewlery: David Yurman, Pomellato, Michael Kors. Lips: MAC Myth. Nails: Strange Beautiful.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Love, Love, Lovity, Love!

Aloha Bloggerinos,

It's Saturday night and despite having about three draft posts to complete, I have been mooching through all your blogs and gorging on interesting articles and pictures- I luurrvvee to do this.

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I'm usually quite set in my ways and read a select few religiously (I will have mentioned them in previous posts I'm sure), but recently a few more have slipped in (ooer missus) and I thought they deserved a bit of love-share, do pop along and have a read, I think you'll enjoy them.

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I think I'll share the love a bit more in future, I think it's nice when bloggers do this and embrace the 'blogging community'. Sheesh I've gotta a lotta love hormones racing about- I'm 32 weeks pregnant now- that's 8 months!!!! Yowzas!!

As usual, images lovingly borrowed from weheartit.com. There's no theme to them, other than I liked the look of them. Cat paws cheer my little heart I tell you!

Have you read these blogs?

Toodlepip!

xx

PS. Now I want a strawberry milkshake. Grrr.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

MAC Peacocky


Aloha Bloggerinos,

As I'm sure you may have heard on the beauty grapevine, MAC are launching a new collection- Peacocky!! I don't blog about new collections for the sake of it but this could not be missed- I BLOOMIN' WELL LOVE LOVE LOOOVVVVEEEE PEACOCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I caplocked and did a zillion exclaimation marks because I'm just so EXCITED! *deep breaths, calm down, pant pant*

I have had these images -courtesy of MAC Cosmetics- from the nice MAC PR Lady for a while now but asked to hang fire and it's been hard I tell ya!

Anyhoo, here they are! I love that the packaging is the same as the usual (I'm not a fan of the wacky out there stuff sometimes) sophisticated MAC range and that the colours are so wearable. I'm not entirely sure how you would incorporate the blue lipgloss into your look but I'm sure some of you talented Bloggerinos will.

Naturally, the MAC Press Pack is somewhat more eloquent than I will ever be, so here's what they had to say for themselves:


Arrogance or elegance? The showy display, the undeniably sexual spectacle, the

iridescent irreverence…it’s awe-inspiring. We fetishise the exotic peacock as a

symbol of extreme beauty, an act of elaborate nature, raging against everything

simplistic. Peacocky fans out in a foray of intense colour for Lips and Eyes, exotic

and sophisticated with a touch of ‘30s F. Scott Fitzgerald glamour and mesmerising

metallic sheen. New Kissable Lipcolour combines full flash with creamy comfort.

It’s molten, with elastomer technology that imparts a velvety, aerated feel without

sacrificing shine. Light as a feather. Mega Metal Shadow gleams like chrome, with

light-reflecting properties – yet creamy, crease-resistant, vitamin-fortified flexibility.

Dramatic doesn’t even begin to describe the girl who knows she’s Peacocky.
 
 
LIPS:
 
Kissable Lipcolour*

Enchantée Light blue pink

Woo Me Light pinky nude

So Vain Muted dirty coral

Vanity Fair Mid-tone blue pink

Exxxhibitionist Red-toned coral

Strut Your Stuff Bright true red

Scandelicious Blue fuchsia

Peacocky Sky blue with red pearl

Super Muted neutral brown

Temper Tantra Mid-tone reddish brown

Flaunting It Grey mauve

Love Peck Blackened blood red

RRP: £16.00 / EURO 20.00

 
EYES:
 
Mega Metal Shadow*

Peek-at-You Frosted yellow white

Dalliance Light champagne

Prance Frosted mauve pearl

Top of the Posh Frosted white pink

Tweet Me Gold bronze

Mating Call Dirty frosted violet

Odalisque Deep teal

Sexpectations Metallic burgundy

Paparazz-she Deep copper bronze

Ego Forest green

Noir Plum True purple with silver pearl

Dandizette Navy with silver pearl

Spectacle of Yourself Deep bronze

Centre Stage Frosted chocolate brown

Unflappable Frosted black with purple pearl

RRP: £15.50 / EURO 19.00
 
This pretty perfect peacock range comes out next month- I cannae wait :)
 
Is there anything you have you're beady peacock eyes on? Did any observant Bloggerinos notice my peacock colour scheme? Very special.
 
Toodleip!
 
xx

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Pout





Jacket: DKNY. Dress (worn as skirt): Alexander Wang. Top: H&M. Socks: Madewell. Belt: JCrew. Shoes: Luxury Rebel. Bag: YSL. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Scarf: Ann Taylor. Nails: Essie St. Lucia Lilac, Deborah Lippmann Happy Birthday. Lips: MAC Impassioned.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Long Streak


Dress: Club Monaco. Jacket: Gap. Sweater Vest: Vince. Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Purse: Chanel. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, Kenneth J Lane Couture.

I am a Nesting Machine!

Aloha Bloggerinos!

This is a bit of an unplanned post but I do enjoy to document my little life on here, kind of like a diary, and I thought you might enjoy a baby related post.

Today I was planning on making a few YouTube videos, catching up on my correspondence (yeah, I just mean emailing people back that I need to haha), completing my uber complex 16 page maternity allowance form and make a nice dinner for Mattmoo before we go to our antenatal class at 6pm. Well, this hasn't happened.

I had a lovely long lie in and then was suddenly gripped with a crazy urge to clean, tidy, organise and polish! Obviously I've been slowly, slowly getting a bit sorted buying clothes and helping (watching) Matt make the cot etc but today I've been like a woman possessed- I even found some white paint because I felt it imperative to touch up any little scuffs there were on the skirting boards!!! Sheesh!

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Seeing as I'm now about 31 weeks pregnant, I think we can safely say I'm 'nesting' and oh me oh my, it feels amazing!!

For those of you not in the know, nesting is a common oddity of pregnancy, where the Mummy feels the need to completely sort her home (her nest), in preparation for her new arrival. Common nesting things are ironing everything, folding and re-organising the baby's clothes and cleaning. Personally, I've got my eye on those windows- they need a good clean.

So, I'm off to let this nesting thing take over and blitz my nest. Have you ever heard of/experienced this?

Toodlepip!

xx

Image lovingly borrowed from weheartit.com