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What's In My Glossybox? | March 2016

13/3/2016

8 Comments

 
Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday.
I hope you enjoyed last week's post talking about the L'Oreal Infallible 24-H Matte Foundation (here).
As you may know I recently signed up to Glossybox, I was thrilled with what I received in my Starter Box (here) so it I thought it might be nice to post about what I get in each Glossybox, each month and make it a bit of a series here on the blog.
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk
It arrived on Thursday and just like last time, it came beautifully packaged and was tied up with a bow and a little card explaining what each item is and how much it costs full size.
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk

Olay Regenerist Skin Tone Perfecting Cream

I've used the Olay  Skin Tone Perfecting Cream twice and I'm already in love with it.
Such a nice formula and feels so lovely on the skin. You can actually feel it improving your skin and it smells delicious too.
You can apply it day and night, I apply mine at night but I think it would make a perfect base for make up. It's supposed to even out dark spots and fine lines and such, so obviously I'll need to keep using it before  I comment on that! I really do like it though and if it helps fade my spot scars then I will be buying it full size when it runs out!

Hey Honey Honey Silk Facial Serum

I haven't had chance to use the Hey Honey Facial Serum yet, but as it says on it 'Good Morning' I think I'll use it before I apply my make up. It's a different consistency to the Olay face cream; it's a wetter formula and doesn't absorb as quickly (having smeared it across my hand) but that's ok. It is described as a 'light and luxurious moisturising serum and under make up primer' and it is packed with all sorts of healthy ingredients and vitamins. I think this'll really replenish my skin and I'm looking forward to using it to refresh my skin each morning.
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk

So Susan Light Diffuser Illuminator & Bronze Duo

In my starter box I got the So Susan Highlighter Pencil and wasn't too impressed with it and I'm not blown away with this either. I just don't think it's a brand I'm going to get on with. The quality is ok, the pigmentation is quite subtle so you may enjoy it if you have a fair skin tone. The highlighter is a nice gold shimmer and the bronzer has a shimmer to it too. I think it'd be nice in the summer but it's just not for me! They might make nice eyeshadows though, so I'll persevere.
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk

Luxie 504 Large Angled Face Brush

I've heard of Luxie as I watch Desi Perkins on Youtube and she's been using a lot of their brushes lately and I can see why!  The bristles are really soft and the I love the pink handle and rose gold  ferrule (metal bit). Ideal for contouring and applying  highlighter.
Glossybox March 2016 | abibailey.co.uk

-417 Catharsis Vitamin Mineral  Shampoo and Conditioner

I've not heard of this company before but I love the packaging. Apparently they're packed with 'Dead Sea moisture balancing minerals, energising vitamins and essential oils to leave your hair super gleaming, hydrated and lustrous'.
I used it and I liked how it left my hair, it feels  clean, smooth  and healthy. It's not overly shiny or hydrated  but I always blow dry my hair so it's quite damaged! I'll keep using it  and I'm sure I'll notice a difference.

Again, I love what I've received and it's such a good saving. 
The whole experience is very enjoyable and definitely worth the money in my opinion. 
Plus who doesn't love a monthly box of treats?

Are you a Glossie? 
Are there other  subscription  boxes I should know about?
Leave me  a comment!

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you next week!

Abi xxx


You can follow me on  Twitter    |  Instagram    |   Bloglovin'
8 Comments

L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation

6/3/2016

4 Comments

 
Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday and Happy Mothers' Day too.
I hope you enjoyed last week's post about my first ever Glossybox (HERE).
Today I'll be talking about the L'Oreal  Infallible  24H-Matte foundation.
I'm on my second tube of it, so I thought it was about time I talked about it here on the blog.
​

L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation Review | abibailey.co.uk
L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation Review | abibailey.co.uk
On the back of the tube it gives you a run down of the sort of  foundation you are getting, which I think is great because you can tell whether it'll be for you, or not, very quickly.
The L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation  says it has a medium texture  with high coverage and, obviously, has a matte finish.
I agree with all of those statements.
The texture is a thick liquid, thin enough to move around the skin but not so thin that it gives minimal coverage.
The coverage is really good; thick enough to fade out dark spots and blemishes, just make sure you blend, blend, blend as it sets quite quickly.
​It is very matte, to the point where you don't need to set it with powder (although I still do) . If you do use powder, use a very light hand as otherwise it can move the foundation around or look cakey. Ew.
L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation Review | abibailey.co.uk
Blended lightly straight from the tube.
L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation Review | abibailey.co.uk
Set/Oxidised.
I wear the shade '12 Natural Rose'
It only comes in 6 shades though, all for fair  to medium skin tones,  hopefully they'll expand the range so there are shades for darker skin tones. 
Like most foundations it oxidises as it dries, meaning it sets a little bit darker than first applied. It's not noticeable and the only reason I noticed it is when I looked back at the swatch photos I took!
It lasts really well, I find sometimes it looks better at the end of the day!
Not too much wear, and as a gal with quite oily skin, I find I am only a tiny bit shiny on my nose by the middle of the day. Much better than I have been with some other 'mattifying' foundations.
It's a really  lovely foundation for those with oily skin.
L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte Foundation Review | abibailey.co.uk

​Do you use the L'Oreal Infallible 24H-Matte foundation?
What do you think of it? 
Do you have any recommendations for mattifying foundations?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,

Abi xxx

You can follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
4 Comments

What's In My Glossybox? | First Ever Box

28/2/2016

0 Comments

 
Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday.
I hope you enjoyed last week's post reviewing the E.L.F 'Need It Nude' Eyeshadow Palette (HERE)
Recently, I signed up to Glossybox which is a beauty subscription box service, you pay £10 a month plus postage. I had heard a lot about them and knew they were quite popular, especially among bloggers, and was curious  to find out more. I was a bit  apprehensive  as I was worried it was going to be mainly skincare whereas I'm more of a make up person but  when it arrived I was absolutely thrilled with what I received!
What's In My Glossybox | abibailey.co.uk
It comes so beautifully presented -  I was  blown away!
I love the classy font and the pretty pastel pink of the box; it reminds me of Chanel.
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
All the items come perched on a bed of tissue paper ribbons and are even tied up with a bow!
You get a card telling you about each item and how much they cost  if you  were to repurchase them or if you're sent a miniature, how much it'd cost full size - it really is quite a saving.
​The first box is like your 'starter kit', once you've filled out your profile with things like skin type, hair type, preferences etc, they'll start being more tailored to you.

Glossybox Eyeshadow in 'Glossy Mauve'

What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
A lovely shimmery purple tone  with hints of brown. As a brunette with brown eyes I think this'll suit me just right! Quite pigmented but I haven't had chance to  use it yet so I'm not sure how long it lasts.

So Susan Highlighter Pencil

What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
A creamy pale pink highlighter; not a fan of it as a highlighter  as it blends away to nothing, but it might be nice as an inner eye brightener on the waterline.

Royal Apothic Cream Crème  Moisturising Body Lotion

What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
 A really lovely body lotion.  It has a really delicate scent; almost unnoticeable. It's not greasy and absorbs quickly which I love, because I can't stand feeling sticky! It's fab and when it runs out I will most certainly be buying more. Essentially everything you could want in a body lotion.

Nailsinc Nail Varnish in 'Uptown'

What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
A beautiful dusky  rose - it is really pigmented and has a lovely smooth formula, dries quickly too.

NickaK Professional Airbrush FX Blending Sponge

What's In My Glossybox? | abibailey.co.uk
I was really pleased to  receive this as I've been meaning to pick up a beauty sponge for a while now, especially as they're so popular at the moment. I want to know what the hype is about! Looking forward to using this.

All in all, I was blown away with how much I loved this!  
I didn't really know what to expect but I am thrilled.
Some really lovely picks and a total variety of skincare, make up and nail  care.
Definitely something to please everyone and I can't wait to open my next one.

​Maybe I'll make this a continual thing here on the blog? Would that be something you'd be interested in?

Are you signed up to Glossybox? What do you think of it?
Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading and speak to you soon,
Abi xxx

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E.L.F 'Need It Nude' Eyeshadow Palette

21/2/2016

1 Comment

 
Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday!
Hope you enjoyed last week's post about my Top 5 Pink Lippies.
There's also a new poll at the bottom of it, so if you wanted to answer it that'd be really helpful - I want to create a Facebook page for the blog but I want to know  your thoughts first.
Today I'll be showing you the E.L.F 'Need It Nude' Eyeshadow Palette.
I've bought a few things from E.L.F recently which I was a bit  disappointed   with, but this palette has redeemed my faith! It's fab.
E.L.F Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette | abibailey.co.uk
E.L.F Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette | abibailey.co.uk

The E.L.F 'Need It Nude'  Eyeshadow Palette is £12.50 and you get 10 shades in the palette, mainly shimmers with a  couple of matte shades.  There's a mix of beautiful pinks, golds and browns which I  think would suit most skin tones and eye colours.

The variety of colours means you can use them to highlight the brow bone, cover the lid or add some  definition  with the darker tones.  I love that you can create some really pretty, delicate looks or go more dramatic and go for a smoky eye.

The consistency of these shadows is really nice - a creamy powder  - it blends really lovely and the pigmentation is really good. They  don't stain your skin either which is always a plus!
They don't crease  and the pigmentation lasts for hours.

It's a lovely slim palette, so it doesn't take up too much space in your make up bag (or make up draw, in my case) and would be excellent for travel. It has big pans of shadow too which I love because I cannot stand eyeshadow palettes that you have to struggle to get your brush into.
E.L.F Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette | abibailey.co.uk
E.L.F Need It Nude Eyeshadow Palette | abibailey.co.uk
A really lovely eyeshadow palette, I think the  price is right and the consistency and pigmentation are great - what more could you want?

Are you a fan of E.L.F Cosmetics? I've been using the same E.L.F eyeshadow brush for years and I wouldn't want to be without it!

Let me know your thoughts- I always love hearing from you!

 My new blog is on it's way! It's just taking longer than I had hoped as I've faced a couple of setbacks, but it's getting there I promise.

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,
Abi xxx

Follow me on Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin
1 Comment

Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush

7/2/2016

0 Comments

 
Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday! 
As I mentioned in last week's post (here) today I'll be talking about the Milani Baked Blush in the  colour 'Luminoso'. 

Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
I know everyone raves about  Milani and especially the blushes so I was quite surprised at how reasonable the price point is;  I bought this from Amazon for around £4 which I don't think is bad at all!  Their cosmetics are generally under £10 and  given the high quality of them  I think that  is pretty  damn good.
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
'Luminoso' is a beautiful glowy peach colour with minute flecks of gold, it is so pigmented and would be perfect as a highlighter too. It's creamy powder consistency and blends lovely.
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush | abibailey.co.uk
As a lovely added bonus, there's a mirror and a little brush in the base of the blush.
I probably won't use the brush as I love the blush brush I already use but it'd be perfect to take on the go or if you travel a lot. It might be nice to use to highlight the tops of your cheekbones too.

So those are my thoughts on the Milani 'Luminoso' Baked Blush.
I definitely want to try more  Milani cosmetics in the future - are there any you have tried that I'm missing out on? Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading and I shall speak to you soon!
I'm thinking it'll probably be an E.L.F haul next week so pop back for that.

Don't forget to follow me on  Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin'

Abi xxx

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Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel | Review

31/1/2016

2 Comments

 
Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday! 
I know in last week's post (here) I said that this week's post would be either an E.L.F haul or a Gerard Cosmetics haul, but I picked up this brush cleanser in Superdrug, used it, and was so blown away I just needed to blog about it. The hauls will have to wait!
Everyone knows how good the Real Techniques brushes are so it is no surprise that their brush cleanser is just as fantastic.
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Normally, cleaning my brushes is something I put off - I doubt I'm the only one!
It takes ages, you get all messy  and they're never 100% clean.
Usually I use liquid soap and make up remover to clean my brushes and it takes me at least 20 minutes minimum.
I used the Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel and it took me about 15 minutes to clean 12 brushes! 
Here's how dirty my brushes were to start with:
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Even the handles were mucky from sitting in my brush pot. Not good enough!
I will get to the review, but first I want to talk about a little silicone brush cleaner I recently bought   that sits on your finger tips. I think Real Techniques have bought their own one out but I just bought mine from Amazon and it's made a world of difference!
​
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
It cost around  £2 and it is so worth the money. 
It cleans your brushes better than just using your finger tips  and I don't know about you, but I always end up getting pruney fingers and a sore palm!
You just pop it on the end of your index and middle finger like a little glove and you're good to go.
It has two textures so you can clean big brushes such as foundation brushes and little brushes like eyeshadow brushes.
​
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
I was going to do a pros and cons list, but I just can't find anything I don't like about it!
So here are the pros:
- It smells delicious; it reminds me of Calippo ice lollies in the summer- it's very fruity.
- It cuts brush cleaning time in half
- A little goes a long way so it'll last you ages
- It costs £6.99 which I think is a reasonable price to pay especially as you get so much of it.
- It's a lovely gel formula which foams up 
- It rinses clean really easily.
- I actually enjoyed cleaning them! I know right.
Look how clean my brushes are now!


Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel
So those are my thoughts on the  Real Techniques Deep Cleansing Gel!
I will definitely be washing my brushes more often from now on. 

Leave me a comment  from your lovely brain and I will be back next week reviewing the Milani Baked Blush in the colour Luminoso, so pop back for that!

Speak to you soon, 
Abi xxx

Don't forget you can follow me on Instagram | Twitter | Bloglovin
​
2 Comments

Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar

24/1/2016

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Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday!
As mentioned in last week's post about the Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers (here), today's post is about the Ciaté  'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar.
Although it was intended to be used as an Advent Calendar, I received it as a Christmas present and it is absolutely wonderful.  I've been opening a door each day in January instead!
​
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
As you open each door, you reveal either a mini nail varnish, a mini nail treatment, or a mini nail topper. On day nine I got a little glass nail file and on  the 24th you get a full sized  nail varnish.
Each door has a lovely quote on it too.

Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
In total, you get 17 mini nail varnishes,  3 nail treatments, 2 nail toppers, 1 mini glass nail file and 1 full size nail varnish.
There's certainly a nail colour to suit everyone whether you like neutrals, brights, sparkly or metallic - Ciaté has you covered!
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
I love that they've given each item a cute name! There's nothing worse than a lipstick or nail varnish with just a number and not a clever name!
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Here are the swatches!
​The names of each one are listed below - there's no number 9 as it was the  nail file that day.
Ciaté 'Mini Mani Month' Advent Calendar
Here's the run down of what you get each day:
Day 1- Mini Nail  Varnish "Heirloom"
Day 2 - Mini Nail Varnish  "Check Mate"
Day 3 - Mini Nail Varnish "Pom Pom"
Day 4 - Mini Nail Varnish "Cutie Pie"
Day 5 - Mini Nail Treatment; Nail Illuminator "Bloom Boost"
Day 6 - Mini Nail Varnish "Snow Globe"
Day 7- Mini Nail Varnish "Ahoy Sailor"
Day 8 - Mini Nail Topper "Chalet Chic" (iridescent white glitter) 
Day 9 -  Mini Glass Nail File
Day 10 - Mini Nail Treatment; Overnight Nail Mask "Knight in Shining Armour" 
Day 11 - Mini Nail Varnish "Life's a Peach"
Day 12 - Mini Nail Varnish "A List"
Day 13 - Mini Nail Varnish "Double Bubblegum"
Day 14 - Mini Nail Varnish "Raspberry Collins"
Day 15 - Mini Nail Varnish "Birthday Blue" 
Day 16 - Mini Nail Topper "Miracle on 34th"  (gold glitter)
Day 17 - Mini Nail Varnish "Shady Lady"
Day 18 - Mini Nail Varnish "Purple Rain-Bow"
Day 19 - Mini Nail Varnish "Dangerous Affair"
Day 20 - Mini Nail Treatment; Nail Strengthener "Nail Gym"
Day  21 - Mini Nail Varnish "Prima Ballerina"
Day 22 - Mini Nail Varnish "Hutch"
Day 23 - Mini Nail Varnish "Cookies & Cream"
Day 24 - Full Size Nail Varnish "Rom Com Rouge"

These are such lovely quality- the metallic ones can be a bit sheer so you may need 3 or 4 coats but otherwise you're good! There's SUCH a variety  of colours here too. I think  this  Advent Calendar would be all you need and you'd have the perfect starter kit. I love that  you get nail treatments and glitters as well as a nail file- much more exciting than just nail varnishes (although I'd still be pleased!) They've thought of everything! 
I was so pleased to receive this and it is  definitely   one of  my favourite presents.

Do you use Ciaté? What are your thoughts on them?
Leave me a comment if you'd like!
They've started producing make up now too so I need to get my hands on some soon.

Thanks for reading, next week will either be an E.L.F Haul or a Gerard Cosmetics Haul.
I haven't decided yet! So make sure you pop back for that.

Speak to you soon, 
Abi xxx

P.s. don't forget to follow me on twitter and instagram

​
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Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers

17/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday.
I hope you enjoyed last week's post  about the Real Techniques 10 Brushes and Train Case Gift Set.
If you missed it, you can read it here.
Today's post, as promised, is about what's in the Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers.
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
I've had a kit like this before,  but I think it included an eyeliner and a different eyeshadow primer and a lipgloss instead of the eyeshadow trio.
As they're miniatures, it's a great way to try out the products. The  Photo Finish Primer (full size) is about £25 alone. It's excellent as I've had the miniature before but I still don't think I can bring myself to pay that much for a primer! I'm sure I'll cave soon.
​This isn't so much a review- more of a show without the tell.
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
In the kit, you get the :
Eyeshadow Trio (neutral brown tones)
24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer
Full Exposure Mascara
Photo Finish Foundation Primer


Eyeshadow Trio

Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
I haven't used any of these yet, although I have used the foundation primer and the mascara in the past.
These eyeshadows don't seem too pigmented but I'm hoping the shadow primer will help with that.

Full Exposure Mascara

Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
The last time I used it, I remember the Full Exposure Mascara  being one to add volume as opposed to length or definition.

24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer

Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
It's quite a thick consistency, so I think it'll create a lovely base for eyeshadows.

Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers | abibailey.co.uk
This is a silicone texture that glides over the skin, filling in pores and fine lines and creating a smooth base for foundation or concealer.

That's what you get inside the Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers.
Are you a fan of Smashbox? Has seeing these products made you want to try Smashbox?
Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading,  next week is about the  Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar

Speak to you soon, 
​Abi xxx

0 Comments

Real Techniques Brushes and Train Case  Gift Set

10/1/2016

0 Comments

 
Hello everyone!
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and  New Year.
I'm not really a fan of those 'What I Got For Christmas' blog posts but I did get a couple of luxuries that I would like to share with you.
As I took a tonne of photos I'm going to split the posts up.
I'm working with a new lighting and backgrounds set-up at the moment, so if my photos are a bit weird, I'm in a bit of a trial and error stage. 
This week's post is about the Real Techniques Limited Edition  10 Brushes and Train Case Gift Set . 
Next Sunday will be about the Smashbox Try It Kit Bestsellers.
The Sunday after that will be about the Ciaté Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar.
So let's crack on.


Picture
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
The train case is incredibly handy, especially  if you  travel a lot. 
Even if you don't it's great for storage. It has a huge compartment to store all your make up and a separate compartment for  brushes and even a extra pouch in the lid. Perfect.
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
You get 10 brushes with the set and I am so excited to use them. I already own a couple of them but there are so many that are new to me.
I'm expecting my make up to be flawless when I use these!
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
First up are the Base Brushes:
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
From smallest tot largest you get:
the Concealer Brush
the Tapered  Foundation Brush
​ the Duo-Fibre Face Brush.
All pretty self explanatory.
I haven't used any of the brushes yet because I want to have a sort out of my current ones, but the  bristles   on these are super soft.

​Next are the Face Brushes:
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
You get:  
the Sculpting Brush which is perfect for contouring or blush application and 
the Setting Brush which is great for setting places like the under eye area.

Lastly is my favourite, the Eye Brushes:
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
Real Techniques Limited Edition Brushes and Train Case Gift Set | abibailey.co.uk
With the Eye Brushes you get:
the Lash-Brow Groomer
the Shading Brush
the Base Shadow Brush
the Angled Shadow Brush
​the  Pointed Liner Brush
I think good quality make up brushes have a big impact on the application so  I think these will make a big difference. I've never had  any good quality eyeshadow blending brushes so I think these will be  great for my collection!

I didn't think I'd get this gift set as it was quite pricey, even on offer, but I was very lucky! I think this is the perfect  starter set too - every brush you could possibly need plus a handy carry case. 
Definitely worth the money.

Do you have any of these brushes? 
Do you use Real Techniques or are there other brushes I need in my life?
Leave me a  comment!

Thanks for reading, make sure you pop back next week to see what's in  the Smashbox Try It Kit Best Sellers.

​Abi xxx


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Goals For 2016

31/12/2015

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Hello Everyone!
Sorry I've been so absent recently, I've had a lot going on.
It is  New Year's Eve; the end of 2015, so it's only right to set some goals for the upcoming year.
This year has been a tough one for me,  reading back last year's post I had achieved  quite a lot.  This year has just been a  struggle and I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to 2015!
​
This is going to be a lengthy 'talky' post so if that's not your thing, feel free to skip out on this one and have a browse through my categories! I'm sure you'll find something that's to your liking.
Goals For 2016 | abibailey.co.uk

​As you may know if you read my last two New Year's posts (2014/2015), I'm not good at resolutions so I prefer to think of them as 'goals'.

These are my list of goals that I hoped to achieve this year:

1) Learn To Drive
2) Work Hard  (both at work and on myself)
3) Be More Confident
4) Learn To Cook
5) Blog More 
6) Do More Nail Art
7) Read More

I'm going to be honest, I've failed nearly all of these goals.

1) I am definitely going to start learning to drive in 2016, I am feeling much more determined and motivated to actually do it this year.

2) I always try to work hard but I haven't worked that hard to better myself this year.

3) I do think I'm more confident though! I think working in a job where  you are constantly talking to new people and to strangers has really helped. Being left in charge, even if it's just while my Supervisor is on break, has helped too.

4)  I haven't really progressed with this one, I bought two little cookbooks earlier this year and I don't think I've looked at them since!  

5) I would love to be able to blog ALL THE TIME but I physically do not have the time. I need to start organising myself better and even if I feel really down, try not to let that stop me from blogging as blogging is something I really enjoy.

Although I haven't blogged as much as I would have liked to this year, I do think the quality of my blog posts and photos have improved.

6) Again, I'd love to spend all day doing nail art but I just don't have the time and when I do, I'd rather spend it with my family than sat in my room on my own.
​
7) As for reading more, I have a book that I've wanted to read for about 15 months and have yet to get to. I read the first 25 pages while on holiday and enjoyed what  little I've read so  I would like to continue it.

So I have not done well this year  with my goals. It's been a really  tough year this year and I've really struggled  so I'm hoping 2016 has more ups than downs!


Goals For 2016 | abibailey.co.uk
Image Source
Right then, let's get to my goals for 2016, there  are only a few for  this coming year  but they'll be  more achievable this way (I hope).

1) Book driving lessons and start learning to drive
2) Improve my blog
3) Be healthier,  even if it's just cutting out all the extra snacks

I'm currently working on a new blog completely, it's on a different site, it has much better features and I'm really pleased with it. The tricky part is transferring  all my posts to the new site and making it live etc. Hopefully by this time next year you'll be reading my posts on a lovely new site!
I promise it's on its way!

Have you made any goals for the new year? Did you complete any you set for this year?
Leave me a comment!

Have a wonderful new year and thank you for the continued support!
I'll speak to you in 2016.

Thanks for reading,

​Abi xxx
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Building a Gingerbread House

16/12/2015

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Hello Everyone!
Little mid-week blog post for you today.
I built  a gingerbread house (from a kit) with my sister.
We bought the kit from Tesco for £4!
​Here we go...


Building A Gingerbread House | abibailey.co.uk
Building A Gingerbread House | abibailey.co.uk
Building A Gingerbread House | abibailey.co.uk
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In the kit, you get:
- the building tray
- the walls and roof pieces
- the squeezy icing
- different sweets for decoration

On the back of the box you get easy to follow instructions with pictures too.

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You squidge a lot of the icing into the grooves in the tray and ice the back sides of the front and back walls and pop them into the tray. After that you slide the smaller walls in between, gently pressing to help them stick.
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Once you've let the walls set, ice along the top of the front and back walls and gently place the roof pieces on. Hold them in place for a minute to let them adhere and then let the whole house set for half an hour (You could catch up on Big Bang Theory like we did).
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Once your house has set, you can get to decorating! We mimicked the design on  the box with a few of our own little twists.
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I'm really pleased with how it turned out and it was made much easier with the tray.
It was lovely  to spend time with my sister too.

Have you ever made a gingerbread house?  Have you ever been really brave and  built one from scratch? Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading,  I'll speak to you soon!

​Abi xxx

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Winchester Christmas Market

13/12/2015

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Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday!

On Wednesday afternoon, my mum, my sister and I took the train to Winchester so that we could mooch around the Winchester Christmas Market. Winchester is always lovely anyway and we had a really wonderful day out. Here are a few of the photos I took.
Winchester Christmas Market
Let's start with an OOTD.
OOTD / abibailey.co.uk
OOTD / abibailey.co.uk
My jumper is from New Look and is classed as a 'jumper dress', I wouldn't wear it as a dress because it would be too short on me! It had 25% off when I bought it too. 
My jeans are from Sainsbury's.
My boots are old and from Primark, despite the  block heel they are so comfy and because I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking, these were perfect.
My lipstick is Make Up Revolution in the colour "Rebel With A Cause" and is a lovely berry tone.
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Picture
This was the first stall and it was beautiful, filled with scented dried fruit and peel wreathes and decorations.  My mum bought a 'fruit circle' and as lovely as it was, it smelled SO strongly of orange and spices, it got too much!  When we got home we had to put it in the cupboard under the stairs because it was giving us a headache, haha.
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There were over 100 stalls and there was such a variety.
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These were called "Smoothie Candles"
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There were lots of yummy snack stalls  and I love how traditional they make them look, really makes it feel festive.
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One stall was filled with festive decorations and that made me feel very Christmassy.
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This was one of my favourite stalls, it wasn't selling anything but people could leave  notes  about what/who/where makes them happy or what they're thankful for. It's such a lovely idea and the gold really stood out in the sun.
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After we'd seen all there was to see we wandered about the shops and stopped for something to eat becuase we were all freezing by this point and very peckish.
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(excuse the iPhone quality and poor lighting)
We stopped at the West Cornish Pasty Co as we've eaten  there before and the wedges are delish! I also had a sausage roll. It was very tasty and warmed me right up.
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It was getting dark by this point so we got  to see the tree  all lit up as well as the other lights which was magical.
I had such a nice day with my family and it was nice to go somewhere and do something different.

I'm going to my work Christmas meal tonight so my next post will be my OOTN.

Thanks for reading and speak to you soon!

Abi xxx

P.s. Emma, if you're reading, I got your message but because you didn't leave your email I can't reply!  Thank you for the lovely comments and  if you wanted to leave your message as a comment on either this post or another I'd love to be able to reply to you. xxx 
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Blog Update

6/12/2015

1 Comment

 
Hello everyone!
Hope you're enjoying your Sunday, leave me a comment telling me if you've been up to anything nice.
Just a quick update today but quite an exciting one!

I  just want to explain why I've been so absent recently and what's to come in the near future. 
This is going  to be a really quick talky post so if that's not your thing feel free to browse through one of my categories  in the side bar. There's lots to choose from!
​
abibailey.co.uk

​Firstly, you may have noticed, I now have my own domain! This blog now lives at 'abibailey.co.uk' whereas it used to be abibailey.weebly.com. I feel so much more  professional  now.

Secondly, I've been so absent on here because a) I work in retail and it's nearing Christmas so my hours are INSANE and any spare minutes I get, I spend with my family (or catching up on sleep)  and b) I really haven't had anything to post about! I have a few make up deliveries on the way and a couple of OOTD posts planned along with some festive  bits and pieces too.

Lastly, I'm planning to move blogging sites soon (when I have more than an hour of spare time) so this'll be a much better, more professional blog (but still fun) with better features. I'm so excited!

So I hope that brings you up to speed!
Lots of good things coming to this blog so keep an eye out!

Also don't  forget  to follow me on twitter and bloglovin  so you're in the loop.
Thank you for all the support, it means the world to me <3

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon!

Abi  xxx
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Hair Care Routine

22/11/2015

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Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday,
Do you have anything nice planned for today?

Today I'll be telling you about my hair care routine.
I know some people really go to town with hair care... I am not one of those people.
I only use a couple of hair products and  hair tools.
(Looking at this post on my iPad, the colours of the photos look really yellow? They're fine on my laptop, so just be aware!)

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Hair Care Routine | abibailey.weebly.com
I always use TRESemme shampoos and conditioners as they leave my hair feeling looked after.
The ones I'm using at the moment  are the Perfectly (Un)Done shampoo and the Cleanse & Replenish conditioner. I like to mix up my shampoos  and conditioners sometimes so that my hair doesn't get too used to them and then not be as  effective  (I'm not sure if that's a real thing? but it works for me).
I love this shampoo because it makes me hair feel really deeply washed and so clean.  The conditioner is an old favourite of mine and leaves my hair soft, smooth and  voluminous.

I always brush through my hair before I get in the shower to detangle and then I  shampoo and rinse my hair. I use a wide tooth comb to tame my hair and then  I apply my conditioner. I use a big banana grip to hold it off my neck and let it get to work. While it's absorbing, I wash and rinse my body. After that I rinse the conditioner out and comb through it again. I think a wide tooth comb is  a shower necessity!
Hair Care Routine | abibailey.weebly.com
I whack my hair up into a towel turban and let it towel dry for about 15 minutes.
Then I spritz my hair with  the Frizz Ease 3 Day Straight spray  and let that absorb for a few minutes.
I wear my hair straight, but my hair likes to dry randomly  - sometimes it'll dry how I like it , other times it'll be slightly wavy or curly - so this serum just helps to try and control my hair!
Once the serum has got to work I spritz my hair  with heat defence spray (which I forgot to take a photo of because I was doing too many things at once!- sorry), I use the TRESemme  Protect Heat  Defence Styling Spray and let that  sink in for a couple of minutes.
To dry my hair, I tip my head upside down and blow dry it  to try and give it some volume.
I use my hair dryer on the strongest setting but on the second hottest heat and then once it's mostly dry I switch to cold air to set the style and give it some shine.
After that I squirt a few pumps of the Superdrug Hair Therapy Oil With Argan into my hand and rub my palms together  and apply it to the ends of my hair. Any excess I'll use to smooth the flyaways.
​I like to think it help restores my hair a bit as I always blow dry it and often straighten it.
Hair Care Routine | abibailey.weebly.com
That's my hair care routine wrapped up.
Although I like having nice hair,  I'm not really a fan of doing my hair, do you enjoy doing yours?
Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,
My blog posts may be a bit all over the  place  for the next couple of weeks because my shifts at work are crazy *sighs* aah the joy of retail at Christmas.

Don't forget to follow me on my social networks (links at the top) and on Bloglovin

Love ya!
Abi xxx
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Huge Superdrug Beauty Haul

8/11/2015

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 ​Hello  everyone!
Happy Sunday!
​
I had some birthday money to spend so of course  I headed straight to  Superdrug to get my make up fix! The main point of the trip was because all my make up had started to run out at the same time (waah) so I was picking up some of my favourites and  a couple of extras too. So I thought you might like to have a looksie.  Brace yourselves for a lot of photos and a fair bit of text.
Huge Superdrug Beauty Haul
Let's start with the all important skincare; I'm rubbish at remembering  to exfoliate and I never use toner but I always make sure to moisturise every morning and night  and  apply  lip balm without fail.
Garnier Daily Oil-Free Moisturiser
Garnier Daily Oil-Free Moisturiser
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm
Garnier  Daily Oil-Free Moisturiser / Palmer's Lip Balm
I really like this moisturiser as it helps combat my oily skin.  It's a lovely consistency and  it absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling smooth. It makes a nice base for make up too.
This is my favourite lip balm and I've been using it for years , its the best one I've used as it leaves my lips soft and well moisturised. I much prefer  a stick lip balm than  a pot  as I don't like applying  it with my fingers.
​On to make up!
L'Oreal True Match Concealer
L'Oreal True Match Concealer
Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter
Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter
L'Oreal True Match  Concealer (in Beige) / Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter
I used to use this concealer a few months ago until I came across the Rimmel 'Lasting Finish' Concealer (Review HERE). I've got a bit bored of using the Lasting Finish so I've gone back to the True Match  as I like the consistency and  the coverage. It also has a doe-foot applicator  which I think is handy for applying under the eyes.
I can't wait to use the  highlighter; to be honest I've been looking for a powder highlighter for a while and I was hoping I'd find one from MUA or Make Up Revolution but I had no such luck in my Superdrug  (I'll keep looking though as I will not be beaten!) but I had a look at the Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter a while ago,   but  I couldn't resist it this time!  I love the crayon style  as I think it gives more controlled application. 


Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
 Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner by EyeStudio (in Black)
I'm going to start straight away by saying how sad I am that you can no longer purchase the original Maybelline Gel Eyeliner *cries*.  Might have to buy it online in future!  I think the  consistency   is different with this one, the brush is huge and  imprecise  and I never use the smudger.  Never the less I must soldier on, there's really nothing wrong  with this eyeliner, it's a really good eyeliner, I'm just bitter  haha! I love the jet black colour, the consistency is smooth and it lasts for hours; by the end of the  day, my make up may have melted off my face but my eyeliner is still on point.
​
L'Oreal, Maybelline, Collection Mascaras
L'Oreal Miss Manga Mega Volume Mascara
Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara
Collection No Clumps Mascara
L'Oreal  Miss Manga Mega  Volume (in Black Angel) / Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (in  Intense Black) / Collection No Clumps Mascara (in Ultra Black)
I love these mascaras, I always go back to them. If you read my  blog post " How To Achieve Long, Thick Lashes" (HERE) you'll have seen two of these before. 
I love Miss Manga as it adds loads of volume, Lash Sensational is great because it has a spoon-shaped brush and catches every lash and No Clumps is perfect as it has lots of little teeth  so you can really build length and volume  and roll the brush to  get all the product off the brush.
They're my holy grail mascaras and they're excellent on their own and used  together. I literally cannot express how much I love these mascaras!
Lastly is Nail Varnish.

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 Collection 7 Day Wear Nail Polish (in 17. Milk Caramel)
I've  been looking for a nude nail varnish for ages now but I never know quite what to choose as nudes vary so much; there's creamy nudes, pinky nudes, browny nudes (said 'nudes' too many times...) etc, but this one stood out to me.  It's a peachy colour and I think it looks very classy.
The consistency  is lovely and it has a pearlescent sheen to it, so it isn't a glossy finish, nor a matte finish and it dries quickly too.  

Hope you enjoyed the haul, let me know if you love/hate any of these products by leaving me a comment!
Also  don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin so you never miss a post.

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon, 

Abi xxx
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MAC "Diva-Ish" & "All Fired Up"

18/10/2015

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Hello Everyone,
Happy Sunday!

On the 3rd of October I turned 20. I had a really lovely birthday and was very lucky to receive  such thoughtful gifts and spend time with wonderful people. I felt very loved and special!

I went out for a meal with some friends from work on the night of my birthday (it was just a work outing but it happened to fall on my birthday!) and was thrilled to receive a card and a few goodies. I was very spoilt and felt very  privileged to work with such great people. I thought next week's post will be  a quick OOTN with some photos from the day too (I realise how late I'm posting that and is probably more for my benefit than yours, haha)
Anyway onto today's post!
MAC Diva-Ish and All Fired Up

​I asked for two MAC lipsticks  for my birthday, which were "Diva-ish" which is a bright pink, with a creamy, shiny finish and "All Fired Up" which is a dark fuchsia colour, with a very matte finish.

Just a short post today- here are my photos and a tiny review- enjoy!
​
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MAC Diva-Ish and All Fired Up
MAC Diva-Ish and All Fired Up
MAC Diva-Ish and All Fired Up
MAC Diva-Ish and All Fired Up
Both are really lovely colours, very pigmented and have good staying power.
'All Fired Up' is VERY matte, to the point where it is quite difficult to apply. I think a thin layer of lip balm might help it glide on easier. It does feel quite drying though, as some matte lipsticks can be.  'Diva-Ish' applies much easier as it has a creamier finish. It gives a really smooth and even coverage.

Love them both and I'm happy that I've started to build up my MAC lipstick collection!
Do you have either of these colours? What do you think of them?
Are there any colours I'm missing out on?
Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading! I'm sorry I've been inconsistent with posting recently, I'm hoping to get back on track soon.

Speak soon!

​Abi xxx
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OOTN: Lara Croft fancy Dress Outfit

27/9/2015

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Hello everyone,
Happy Sunday!
On Friday night I went to a fancy dress party as Lara Croft and  thought I would show you the photos and give you the outfit details.
​I had so much fun dressing up as Lara! 

Credit to my sister for taking such awesome photos for me.
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Source
 Obviously  I wasn't going for an exact lookalike, but this is the inspo pic I used.
I only wore a jacket because I'm always cold haha.
Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Instagram: @nailartnut
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Lara Croft Fancy Dress
Jacket: (my sister's , from Sainsbury's)
Vest top:  Primark
Camo jeans: online at Blue Banana
Boots: Primark (old)
Guns/Holsters/Gloves: Amazon
Lipstick: Collection "Queen Of Hearts" (featured in this blog post)
Nail Varnish: MUA "Fever Red" (get the details here)

​Lara doesn't wear a lot of make up but I do so I just  touched up my make up from work, put more eyeliner, mascara, blush and lipstick on and I was good to go. Lara always wears her hair in a plait, but I'm not really a fan of plaits on me.

I actually really like this outfit and it was a  nice change to wear something I wouldn't normally.  
I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to wear camouflage jeans again but you never know! (Just maybe without the guns next time?)

Did you like my costume? Have you ever dressed up as  Lara Croft?
Leave me a comment!

Thanks for reading, I love you all!
Speak soon, 
​Abi xxx
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MakeUp Revolution  "New-trals VS Neutrals" Palette

13/9/2015

2 Comments

 
Hello everyone! 
Happy Sunday!

If you saw my  tweet, you'll know I've done a lot of beauty shopping recently so I'll be doing some reviews here on the blog.  I made a MakeUp  Revolution   order, purely because I couldn't get what I wanted in my Superdrug as it's a bit lacking!  I bought the Oil Control Setting Spray (£5), the  New-Trals vs Neutrals palette (£6.99) that  I had been eager to get my hands on and a couple of new eye brushes; the E101 and the E103 (£1.99 each). 
Read on to  see what I think of them.
MakeUp Revolution
MakeUp Revolution
MakeUp Revolution
The shade names from left to right; top row:
Bias, Neutral,  Personal, Vogue, Trend, New-tral, Tone, Custom
Bottom row:
Cool, Style, Partial, Mode, Adapt, Buff, Suit, Strong
MakeUp Revolution
MakeUp Revolution
I'm sorry about the uneven lighting, it was a nightmare! Bias and  cool are very pale shades, hence why they don't show up too well.

Pros:

Cons:

-The shadows are very pigmented
- They're a creamy powder consistency
- They blend beautifully
- Nice combination of mattes and shimmers
- Perfect for those who enjoy a bold look or a more neutral one
- By the end of the day they had creased and basically absorbed into my eyes completely , even with a primer. This was after 13 hours wear though, so it's to be expected.
MakeUp Revolution E101 and E103 brushes

Pros:

Cons:

- The E103 (right) blended and diffused the colour wonderfully without totally removing it
- Both brushes have really soft synthetic bristles.
- The E101 (left)  left more pigment on the brush than it did on my eye. I'm going to put this down to it being brand new, as I find that when brushes are too clean, they're not as good.
MakeUp Revolution Oil Conntrol Fixing Spray

Pros:

Cons:

- Smells delicious
- Comes out in a nice even spritz
- Nice size bottle
- I found it made me look more shiny  and didn't help control my oiliness . I really like a matte finish though whereas you might like more of a glow.

Verdict

Overall I was a bit disappointed with the fixing spray,  I would have been very happy to find something to keep my shine at bay. I've only been using it about a week though so maybe it'll improve with more use!

I like the brushes, the fluffy blending one is going to become one of my favourites, I can already tell.

The palette is beautiful. I'm a sucker for eyeshadow  palettes anyway but I especially love the mix of  regular neutrals and  some unusual ones such as  the pinks, its a very versatile palette and you can create an array of different looks. I love the shimmers and think this is a perfect palette for autumn/winter.


Do you have this palette? what are your thoughts on it? I know the pink shades put some people off. Leave me a comment with your  thoughts and follow me on Bloglovin!

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,

Abi xxx
2 Comments

Blog's 2nd Birthday

1/9/2015

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Hello everyone!
Sorry I haven't blogged in a while, I've not really been in the right frame of mind. 
Today marks the 2nd birthday (anniversary?) of my blog, though, so I just had to post about it!

If you want to read the blog post I wrote about my blog's first birthday last year, you can do so here.
Blog's 2nd birthday
Comparing last year's stats to this year's stats, I've seen a massive improvement which is so lovely and reassuring. 
This is last year's: 
Blog's 2nd birthday
Blog's 2nd birthday
In my first year of blogging, I accumulated roughly 3.3 thousand unique visitors and roughly 3.6 thousand page views.
Compared to this year's stats: 
Blog's 2nd birthday
Blog's 2nd birthday
As of the 1st of September last year, and the 1st of September this year; I've accumulated 4.9 thousand unique visitors and a whopping 17.8 thousand page views! 
A lot of those visitors and page views are from people stumbling onto my blog for about two milliseconds and then hopping off again, but I still think that's an improvement, especially with the page views. 

As of this moment I have 17 Bloglovin followers and if you'd like to follow me (and I think you should- who'd want to miss out on the possibility of more thrilling statistics?) you can do so by clicking here.

This year I have written 66 blog posts (67 if you include this one) which I think is quite an achievement, considering I haven't been feeling my best these last few months. 

Goals for next year of blogging: 
- update the look/design of my blog
- improve the quality of my photos 
- create a logo/identity for my blog/Nail Art Instagram
- change blogging platforms? (Suggestions would be wonderful- blogger, Wordpress etc)
- write more blog posts to improve my state of mind. Blogging makes me happy. 
- continue to improve, with page views and followers and content. 
 
I love that I have a place to talk about beauty and lifestyle and express my passion. I like being able to contribute to the beauty community, too. 

Is there anything you'd like to see me post about? 
I'd love to do a q & a but I don't think I have the following for that, haha!


Thank you for reading and making this blog what it is. The lovely comments you guys post mean so much to me and they make me so happy. 


Speak soon, 
Abi xxx
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Top 5 Red Lipsticks

9/8/2015

2 Comments

 
Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday!
Just a quick post today, showing you my top 5 red lipsticks, as red lipstick is definitely a staple of mine. I'm sure you've heard me talk about some of these before. 
These are in no particular order!
Top 5 Red Lipsticks

1. Barry M Lip Paint Stain Paint 
(Matte finish '1 Absolute Burgundy') 

Top 5 Red Lipsticks

2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick 
(crème finish 'Revlon Red')

Top 5 Red Lipsticks

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
(Crème finish 'Fire & Ice') 

Top 5 Red Lipsticks

4. MAC Viva Glam Rihanna 
(Frost finish, I think this was limited edition)

Top 5 Red Lipsticks

Collection Lasting Colour Lipstick
(Matte finish, '1 Queen Of Hearts')

Top 5 Red Lipsticks
Those are my top 5 red lipsticks!
What are yours? Are there any I absolutely must buy? 
Leave me a comment!


Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon, 

Abi xxx

Don't forget to follow me on Bloglovin! 



2 Comments

Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products

2/8/2015

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Hello Everyone!
Happy Sunday!
I wasn't sure if I was going to post today, hence why I'm posting so late.
I bought a couple of new beauty products on Friday and wanted to use them today. I was pleased with the look so I thought I'd share it with you. 

It's a grey smokey eye with a pretty pink lip. 
Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Let's ignore the split in my fringe and the fact that my skin is rubbish at the moment (thanks hormones).
Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products

Face

Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Primer: Rimmel 'Fix & Protect Pro'
Concealer: Rimmel 'Lasting Finish Concealer'
Foundation: Rimmel 'Lasting Finish 25 Hour With Comfort Serum' 
Powder: Rimmel 'Stay Matte' in '004 Sandstorm'
Blush: *new* Make Up Revolution in the colour 'Sugar' 

Eyes

Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Brows: (product not pictured because I'm an idiot) Rimmel 'Professional Eyebrow Pencil' in the colour 'Dark Brown'
Eye Shadow Stick (used as a base): *new* 'GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick' in '04 Brown'
If you read my last post (here) you'll know I wanted more of these eye shadow sticks, so I bought two more, haha!
Eye Shadow: 'Resist' from the Urban Decay 'Naked On The Run' palette
Eye Liner: Maybelline 'Lasting Drama Up To 24H Gel Liner' in 'Black'
Mascaras: Maybelline 'Lash Sensational' in 'Black' and Collection 'No Clumps Definition Mascara' in 'Black'

Lips

Make Up Of The Day, Featuring New Products
Lipstick: *new* NYX 'Butter Lipstick' in the colour 'Little Susie' 


So that's what I'm wearing on my face today! 
I've basically booted summer out of the door and am sooo ready for smokey eyes and dark lipstick and all that good stuff! 

What season do you like best for make up trends? 

Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon, 

Abi xxx
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GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Sticks

26/7/2015

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Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday. 
My GOSH Forever Eye Shadow stick soon became a staple while I was on holiday. I've had it for months but threw it into my make up bag last minute and I'm so glad I did. 
Today I'm going to talk about all the things I love about my little eyeshadow stick because I think it's fab and feel that everyone should know about them (although you probably already do!) 
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
They are metallic eye shadow sticks and I have the colour '03 Light Copper'. I bought mine from Superdrug and it was £5.99 which I think is a perfectly acceptable price for the amazing quality. They do loads of colours; I really want to get more but when I looked the other day I was looking for more 'everyday' colours and they only had dark blue and violet. I might still go back and get them though as they'd be perfect for a quick smokey eye! 
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
Out of direct sunlight.
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
In direct sunlight
The colour pay off of this little crayon is insane. I love how you can vary the degree of intensity too- you can either cover your eyelid with it and blend it out, or you can add a little to your eyelid and blend it for a subtle shimmery look. 
They're waterproof too which was perfect for when I was in Spain because boy was it hot! My eyeshadow didn't crease or absorb into my skin at all. 
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
Out of direct sunlight
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
In direct sunlight
They are so creamy that they blend like a dream. 
They're also perfect to use as an eyeshadow base, especially with shimmery eye shadows on top as it'll really make them pop. 
I use a brush to blend it out but you could easily use your fingers which makes these eye shadow sticks perfect for on the go. 
GOSH Forever Eye Shadow Stick in Light Copper 3
Can you tell that they're super long lasting? This was after a few vigorous rubs with some make up remover on a cotton pad. Don't let that make you think that you have to rub at your eyes to remove it though because you don't. I just wanted to show you how good the staying power is! 

I honestly can't get enough of this eye shadow stick! 
It's a real time-saver in the morning too as you don't need to spend a lot of time applying and blending eye shadows. You can just pop this on, blend it out and move on to eyeliner (or whatever's next in your routine!) 


Have you tried any of the GOSH Forever Eye Shadow sticks? 
Let me know your thoughts! 


Thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,

Abi xxx

P.s when will I stop using so many exclamation marks? Probably never.
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Holiday Lookbook

21/7/2015

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Hello Everyone!
I've had a wonderful two  weeks away in Nerja, Spain with my family, but it's so nice to be back blogging!
How have you all been?  Tell me what you've  been up to in the comments!

Today I've put together a post featuring some of my favourite outfits that I wore on holiday and thought it might give you some outfit inspo, as  there's still some summer left to enjoy (glances  out the window and thinks maybe not).
Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
We arrived late Sunday night so this is the outfit I wore on our first full day (Monday). My top is from Primark, my shorts are also from Primark, but I found them in my wardrobe and didn't even know I owned them? and my sandals are from H&M.

I really stepped out of my comfort zone this year as I bought quite a few crop tops (shock horror) . I'm not really a fan of my stomach (it's podgier than I'd like) but paired with high waisted bottoms, I really liked how the outfits turned out!

I bought the orange sandals and an identical pair in white and they were £13 each so I thought £26 for two pairs of sandals was a really good price to pay but when I got to the till, they must have been in a deal as they only came to £14! I was  thrilled!


Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
This is the outfit I wore on out first night out. My dress is from Primark and has little butterflies on it and I really love the neckline as it really dolls up the dress. 
My  wedges are from New Look and I love them so very dearly; not only are they so beautiful with all the little diamantés but they're also so comfy and easy to walk in - a rarity in shoes with height!

Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
I  wore this playsuit one evening, when we had dinner at one of the restaurants along the beach.
I wasn't overly thrilled with it when I first bought it as I didn't think the neckline was very flattering but once I wore it out, I realised it was much nicer than I thought. I really like the cutout at the back and it was so comfy too.
The playsuit is from Primark and the sandals are from H&M.
Holiday Lookbook
We went to the beach one day so I wore my Figleaves swimsuit with my high waisted denim  shorts from Primark, a white t-shirt (not pictured) and my white H&M sandals.
I really like the pop of coral in the swimsuit as it adds more shape and definition - a definite bonus for busty ladies like me!

Holiday Lookbook
Holiday Lookbook
This is one of my favourite outfits, despite the simplicity. 
I think the blouse and shorts are so pretty; I like the fitted shape of the blouse and the little pom pom detailing on the hem of the shorts.
My blouse is from Primark a few years ago, my shorts are from Primark recently and my sandals are from H&M.
Holiday Lookbook
(This is not the most flattering photo- ick) We visited Frigiliana (a pretty town not too far from where we were staying) one day and I wore a crop top from New Look (which was in the sale!), my high waisted denim shorts from Primark and my orange H&M sandals paired with orange lipstick for a pop of colour.

Holiday Lookbook
On one of our last nights in Nerja, there was a festival starting up in the town, so we went along to watch the fireworks and grab some dinner. I wore this playsuit that I bought from Debenhams a couple of years ago. It's such a flattering shape and I love the floral pattern and the little details like the buttons and the collar. I wore it with my jewelled wedges from New Look.

Holiday Lookbook
One night I wore this playsuit from BooHoo. I like the aztec print and the tie front and the V-neck is very flattering. I wore it with tan heels from New Look. You can't really see from the photo but they're platform with a wooden heel- I feel like they'll go with lots of outfits.


There's a little insight in to some of the outfits I wore while away. 
What was your favourite outfit?


As always, thanks for reading and I'll speak to you soon,
Abi xxx
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'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics

28/6/2015

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Hello everyone!
Happy Sunday!
As usual I'm going to start by apologising and explaining a few things...
If you read my last blog post (here) I mentioned that my next post was going to be about my favourite pieces that I had bought from Primark the day before but when I looked back over the stuff I bought, it was all very boring! 
Plus I've worked the past three Sundays, the weather has been very hit and miss and I've worked a lot of evenings (never my choice!) so trying to find time and the right light to take photos of anything, has been a huge problem. 
So like I said, I won't be posting every week just for the sake of posting, especially as I'm trying to feel more 'me' again. 
Anywaaaay, enough of the waffle and excuses! I just hate not posting but I can't do three million things at once either!
This is going to be a looong post, so brace yourselves. 
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
I'm going to explain to you the major ordeal that was involved with this order... It's just a long explanation of why it took so long for the delivery to get to me so if you want to skip over this part, feel free!
Shaaanxo (a beauty youtuber) posted on Instagram a promo code that Gerard Cosmetics had given her to give to her followers and the deal was a lipgloss, lipstick and whitening pen (as the company used to be Whitening Lightning) bundle for £17 (plus all their worldwide shipping is all free),
 so I thought 'ooh I've wanted to try their lip products, I'll make an order'...
I made the original order in March, and it arrived on Thursday, haha. 
Here's the thing, at the time I made the order, Gerard Cosmetics were switching to Fed-Ex as their delivery company so I made the order, got the email to say it should arrive within about two weeks of the shipping confirmation email. I waited about a month and never got anywhere so I emailed them again and they explained that as my order is international (as it is an American company) it would take about 3-6 weeks, so I waited again and still nothing so I emailed them back with my order number and a girl emailed me back (the ladies I spoke to were so helpful and friendly) saying that my order had been lost (probably due to the change over of delivery companies) so she sent out my order again for me and told me that it should arrive within a couple of weeks of the shipping confirmation order email. I never received a shipping confirmation order email. So I emailed them back again and this time I received an email with the Fed-Ex tracking number and a link to track my order. It finally arrived on Thursday and I'm so pleased! 
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
Even though it was such a long-winded order, the ladies I emailed were so helpful and gave me a discount code for my next order because of the inconvenience. I think I will make more orders in the future because the price is right and they do everything with such a personal touch. 
I ordered 'Rose Hill' and '1995' because they are Jaclyn Hill's creations (another beauty youtuber) when she paired up with Gerard Cosmetics. There were so many colours to choose from, I didn't know what to pick! So as I love Jaclyn I thought it'd be nice to try out her own lip product concoctions.
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
It arrived in a box and inside the box was this pouch wrapped in beautiful pink tissue paper. I was already thrilled before I'd even opened it!
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
I even received a personalised thank you card! Plus how perfect is that hand writing?
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
Picture
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
'1995' Lipstick by Gerard Cosmetics
'1995' Lipstick by Gerard Cosmetics
Jaclyn called it '1995' as she created it during the time when the '90's lip was back in fashion and trending everywhere. This is a great browny nude with a touch of red in it. I was also swayed because I was born in 1995, haha. 
It's a lovely matte formula but not a long laster unfortunately as it's quite sheer. Maybe if I layer it and blot it a few times it might have a longer wear. 
'1995' Lipstick by Gerard Cosmetics
'1995' Lipstick by Gerard Cosmetics
It's a bit more brown in real life as it looks quite red here. Struggling with the natural daylight!
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss by Gerard Cosmetics
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss by Gerard Cosmetics
You definitely cannot fault them for their packaging! It is gorgeous. The gold is beautiful and so shiny and they just look really classy and high end, I wish my camera could have picked it up more. The lipgloss has a little mirror on the side of the tube and even two bright LED light bulbs in the cap so you apply it anywhere!
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss by Gerard Cosmetics
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss by Gerard Cosmetics
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss by Gerard Cosmetics
It looks more red in the photo but it is quite pink in actuality. I can't really remember the reason behind naming this 'Rose Hill' I think it was because she wanted a rosy pink colour and her last name is Hill (?), she explained it in the video when it was originally released so you can see that on her channel if you wish!
It's a lovely summer pink, think of watermelon and roses and you're there. 
It's quite a thick, sticky formula, it isn't noticeable on the lips but it does make it a bit trickier to apply. It might be better worn over a lipstick as opposed to on its own. I'm not sure how long it lasts as I haven't worn it outside yet! 
Whitening pen by Gerard Cosmetics
Whitening pen by Gerard Cosmetics
I'm excited to start using the whitening pen! Once I've been using it for a while, I'll make sure to do a review on it and let you know my thoughts on it. 
'Rose Hill' Lipgloss & '1995' Lipstick By Gerard Cosmetics
Congratulations, you've made it to the end!
I'm sorry that was such a huge post but I had a lot to say, and a lot to show you! 
Hopefully that makes up for not posting last week. 

Have you bought anything from Gerard Coametics? 

What are your thoughts about them?
Let me know in the comments!


It's highly unlikely that I'll be posting next Sunday as I fly out to Spain with my family in the afternoon! I'll be there for two weeks, so it's going to be some time before I'm back blogging!
I'll hopefully have lots to share with you when I get back though. 


It's nearly July, so have a wonderful month and I'll speak to you as soon as I can!
Thanks for reading,

Abi xxx
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A Trip To Marwell Zoo | Part 2

8/6/2015

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Hello everyone!
Welcome back, in this half I'll be showing you my photos of the giraffes, zebras, and meerkats.

Enjoy!
Picture
Giraffes at Marwell Zoo
Giraffes at Marwell Zoo
Giraffes at Marwell Zoo
Giraffes at Marwell Zoo
Zebras at Marwell Zoo
Zebras at Marwell Zoo
Zebras at Marwell Zoo
Picture
I can't remember what this little guy is called but he's too cute not to include!
Meerkats at Marwell Zoo
Meerkats at Marwell Zoo
Picture
Couldn't resist!
Marwell has some really beautiful grounds to walk around as well, so I couldn't help but take a couple of snaps. 
Marwell Zoo
Marwell Zoo
So that is the rest of my photos from my trip to Marwell Zoo!
In all honesty, I could have probably put them all into one blog post but I thought that might be a bit too overwhelming and possibly boring. 


We were so lucky to have such lovely weather on the day, and I'm so pleased with my new camera! 

Have you ever been to Marwell Zoo? Let me know.

Thanks for reading, 
I'll speak to you on Sunday!

Abi xxx
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