A "Naked" Face With W7*

The good folks at Aqua PR and W7 sent me a few goodies to review this week. I've tested them all week and I'm here to report back. I was sent the Pore-fection Primer, Naked Nude shadow palette, Nude Kiss lipstick in Naughty Nude, and the Style Eyes clear brow gel.

The Pore-fection primer is a very close dupe for Benefit and their Porefessional.  The colour of the product, the consistency, the finish on the skin, even the long wearing nature of it stands up to Benefit. I've worn this under my foundation for days now and it's beautifully suited to even the most sensitive skin! You can wear this alone, wear it under BB Cream or under foundation, it's fab. As for longevity, I tested it at Zumba twice (Tuesday and Wednesday) and my foundation never moved. That's proof, this primer is a real winner! 

The Naked Nudes shadow palette has four very generously sized pans of light wearable shades. I blended all four together on the first day to see what kind of range I was working with, as you can see in the picture at the bottom. Mid-range pigment saturation mean the shades in this palette are buildable and blendable. If you want a contoured eye or a very light wash of colour, you're in safe hands. This palette is wonderful for neutral, simple and quick eye looks. If you work in a job where you need simple, quick, natural make-up, this is the palette for you. A perfect look for this would be for a very soft neutral eye, a 50's wing and red lips. 

Enter stage left, the Style Eyes Brow and Lash Shaping Gel. I wouldn't be inclined to use this on my lashes, but it's perfect for fixing your brows into place after pencilling them in or using brow powder. I'm really impressed with this Brow Gel because it fixes the brow hairs in place but not for one second does it make your brows all stiff and crunchy. I don't think those words are even in the collective vocabulary of the people at W7. 

The only product that didn't impress me, not for formulation or anything (it's well formulated, don't get me wrong) but for the shade, is the Nude Kiss lipstick in Naughty Nude. It's just a little too concealer-y in tone than I care for. With that said, it's creamy, moisturising and has a beautiful sheen. Perhaps if you have a warmer skin-tone than I do, this would suit you. As you can see in the picture below, it makes me look a bit washed out and frankly, a bit sickly looking. I tried everything to like it, I did! Maybe if I was tanned, it would go better!!

Finally, here's a look from the last few days, brows, base, shadow and lips all courtesy of W7! 

What do you think of these products?

Let me know! 

Amy 

xx

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**All products contained herein were sent to me by W7 and Aqua PR for consideration.**

**All opinions are my own**

Recommended To Red - Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser and Toner

I rarely take recommendations off my boyfriends mum when it comes to skincare. However this has been a staple in her skincare regime as long as I've been with Chris and that fact hasn't been lost on me. 

I picked this up doing the shopping a couple of weeks ago and have been using it daily ever since, sometimes I've used it twice daily, depending on whether it's a deep cleanse day. This lovely creamy cleanser cuts the time you spend at the vanity in half, and it takes away all the dirt and grime from your skin, leaving you feeling cleansed and refreshed. 

Apply it with cotton pads and follow with whatever you usually use in your skincare regime. 

Thanks to this bottle of loveliness, my pores haven't been so small and tight in a long time. 

The verdict? A real time saver, and really effective skincare. 

Let me know if you've tried it!!

Amy

xxx

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Putting The "Argan" in Bargain!!

Shampoo and conditioner is not normally something I get attached to, because I flit from brand to brand like a butterfly on a rosebush. I rarely find myself as taken with shampoo or conditioner as I have with the Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner range. I picked these up in Tesco on a special offer, for 1.49 each and they've performed above and beyond my expectations. 

The main reason I picked up this shampoo and conditioner duo is because Argan Oil is known for its uses in skincare and haircare. It moisturises and seals dryness and cracks in skin and the hair shaft, strengthening and nourishing and adding shine.

The shampoo makes claims that it "nourishes and moisturises", while the conditioner promises it "rejuvenates and rehydrates". All of these claims are pretty on-point, I have to admit. No, I wasn't holding out much hope for less than three quid, but honestly, the shine, the body, the moisture and the tameness of my hair have me so taken that I may well be stepping out to stock up on a few tubes of each.

Never has a shampoo or conditioner wedged itself into my life under the Holy Grail heading... until now. The active ingredients, the scent, the lasting softness and shine, the whole lot has just wowed me. 

Have you tried these? Will you?

Let me know! 

Amy 

xx

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17 WOW! Skin 3 Way Highlighter

You know how they say that the more you build something up, the greater the chance of being disappointed? That's one of these times. 

I passed over this 17 WOW! Skin 3 Way Highlighter in Boots the length and breadth of the country. Every time I was tempted, I decided to get something else. It's probably why I have a mountain of powder highlighters. Eventually, I decided to pick it up, when I went birthday shopping with Kayliegh a couple of weeks back. I've tried it in all its uses and I've some things to say. 

As A Primer:
This claims to be an illuminating primer, and I was hoping it would be a cheaper alternative to Loreal Lumi Magique, but it did not even vaguely come up to it. The illumination that it gives on the face when you apply it is all but overwhelmed by your foundation. 

It doesn't lengthen the time my foundation lasts, in fact I've found it shortened the life of it. I felt my base slipped and moved and eventually, I had to just strip it off. I set it, I tried different foundations and nothing seemed to help.


As A Highligher:
Worn alone, with no foundation, or as a liquid highlight on your base, this is lovely. It gives a dewy finish without being too overpowering. When it's on its own it gives your skin a radiant glow that looks beautiful. 

For a pared back, natural look, just use this over your moisturiser, do your brows, add a swipe of mascara and a slick of a tinted lipbalm and you're gorgeous!! 

Mixed With Foundation:
If you mix this with your foundation, it gives a dewy finish. However I found that some foundations work better than others. It didn't bode well with my Loreal Infallible, but it was nice with Revlon Nearly Naked, sheer and glowy... 

You could also mix this with your moisturiser for a more toned down glow. 

Verdict? It's not a primer, but it's not a total write off, just disappointing... Especially when you have such high hopes. It's peddled primarily as a primer but I assure you, there are better ones out there. Save youself the 7.49 or so that it costs in Boots. 

If you want a good primer, you should check out my review of the W7 Prime Magic Camera Ready Primers. 

What do you think of this? 

Have you tried a decent illuminating primer that you think I should try?

Let me know!

Amy 

xx

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W7 Absolute Lashes

Absolute Lashes, my newest mascara purchase from W7. I'm a bit obsessed with this budget brand, and this mascara has WOWED me like nothing has ever wowed me before!!

The tube is exactly the same as the Benefit They're Real tube, even down to the font on the outside. The wand is the same plastic spiky offering, with a round spiky tip on the end to reach those difficult to coat outer-end lashes. It separates, lifts and coats each individual lash, spreading them and making them look amazing.

The formula is lovely, it holds a curl really well, but unlike Benefit, it's easy to remove at the end of the day. There's no scrubbing, rubbing or fruitless hunting for oil-based eye-makeup remover!

If you're a fan of Benefit's They're Real, this mascara might be up your street, because compared to the Benefit offering, this is cheap as chips!! I cannot justify 23.40 for Benefit, when Absolute Lashes 7.99 and it's exactly the same, if not better, in my opinion.

As I've said before about W7, you could put this on, claim it to be the high-end sister product, and nobody is going to know. Again, I wouldn't do that, because the whole world and her mammy needs to know how lovely W7 is.

Pick this up in The Cosmetic Outlet for 7.99!! 

What do you make of this mascara??

Drop me a comment and let me know!

Amy

xxx

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Review - Sleek Single Blush - Rose Gold

Sleek Rose Gold

I love Sleek. I can't put it explicitly enough, I LOOOOVE SLEEK! Please, allow me to wax lyrical for the the next few minutes on this absolutely gorgeous, flattering blush!! 

Rose Gold is commonly beheld as a dupe for Nars Orgasm. It comes in sleek (ahem!) black packaging similar to Nars, It has a highlighting effect because of its glowy sheen, which is flattering especially in the winter months, as it makes you look healthy and your skin radiant, rather than dry and dull. 

Compared to Nars, it's more pinky-toned comapered to Nars' peach tones. It's just, if not more pigmented and lasts well for that reason. By the end of the day, it has only faded slightly, but the radiant finish had remained. 

For 5.49, this blush is fast becoming a staple in my life. For a "glow from within" look to your skin, this blush wont be beaten in terms of price or quality!! I'd be afraid, if I were you, Nars!!

Have you tried this blush??

Let me know!!

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Dream Dots For Spots*

I've never looked forward to getting a spot, until the good folks at Dream Dots sent me these babies!! I have been waiting to get some pimples so I can try them and see how they fare. 

However, when you are waiting to get a spot it seems like your skin gets really good just to spite you... 

The premise is simple, get a spot, stick on a Dream Dot, go to bed and wake up with a smaller, less inflamed spot. You do this for between 1-3 nights, and every morning when you get up, the Dream Dot will have changed colour, having turned white as it works. When you take off the Dream Dot, you cleanse your face as normal. The dots are soft and comfortable, they move as your face moves but never come unattached!

The packaging doesn't tell you what the active ingredients are, but I have to say I'm leaning heavily towards either magic or fairy-dust. These things are the business, make no mistake. Add to that that they are Cruelty Free and Vegan, what more could you want from a product. They do a great job on spots, and they are not causing harm or suffering to lovely furry creatures!! 

I wish it was worth me attaching a picture of these little round dots of love, but they match my skin so closely, there's no point. I tweeted Dream Dots and we were joking about playing "Spot The Dot", that's how invisible they are. You're going to have to trust me that after two nights on a big, dirty spot, and one on a little pimple on my top lip, there is nearly no trace of either and no scabbing to boot. The redness on my chin spot is gone, the skin is soft and I'm so impressed I think I may be in love. 

Dream Dots retail for 14.95 for a pack of 24 and 24.95 for a pack of 48. You can get them in most pharmacies and on the Dream Dots website. 

Be sure to check out these little circles of magic, I promise you wont go wrong! 

If you've tried these, let me know what you thought!! 

Amy

xx

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*This product was sent for consideration by Dream Dots, all opinions are my own*

W7 Prime Magic Camera Ready Primer

Anti Redness

A while back I was in The Cosmetic Outlet with Kayliegh, and I was not leaving without a primer for under my make-up. I wound up getting two W7 Prime Magic Primers. I picked up the Original clear version and the green tinted Anti-Redness.

The first thing I will say about these is you need to shake them up before you use them! I opened the clear one to try it on the back of my hand and a watery residue ran out of the nozzle of the tube. When you shake them, they mix back together, which I can only assume means they separate when left for a while. 

Original

I've found the Anti-Redness version being used more as I have redness around the nose and on my chin. It slightly tones it down which is good enough for me, because with a good concealer and foundation, it'll all be covered anyway. It does apply well and when you rub it in, the green pigment dissipates, so you don't run the risk of the dreaded Hulk look. 

The Original, clear formula is no different to the green version, it just lacks the colour correction qualities. It's as silky, smoothing and wonderful as its Anti-Redness counterpart. If you have good skin with no redness, then your best bet is the clear one.

Other than that, these primers are silky, they fill in pores and smooth the surface of your skin. The finish is so smoothing and even wearing them alone makes your skin look better. Neither are radiance enhancing but somehow they make your skin look glowy and lovely. If you were inclined, you could smooth some of this on your skin, do your brows and be done!! How much better can you get.

These primers make my make-up last all day and well into the evening, with no breakdown of foundation that I could notice as I gawked at myself in every available shiny surface to check. I will definitely be loving these for a long time to come!! 

These primers are €8 each or two for €15 in The Cosmetic Outlet! 

Let me know if you try these, and tell me what you think!!! 

Amy 

xx

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My Holy Grail Nude feat MAC Creme Cup

I've never really been a girl to wear a nude lip. I've worn nude lipstick maybe twice this year, tops! However all that is about to chance because when I was swatching the lipsticks in MAC at Brown Thomas, I couldn't get over how much I liked it.

Creme Cup is a cremesheen finish, meaning its moisturising and as the name would suggest, has a creamy sheen. It's a slightly pink-toned nude, which on me looks like my own lip colour but slightly more pleasing to the eye. It doesn't show any imperfections the way I've found Ruby Woo to.

It lasts well and smells good, all extra points in its favour by my judgement!

It's the perfect accompaniment to a deep smoky eye look. Perfection!

MAC Creme Cup can be found at all MAC counters for 19.50.

Have you tried this lipstick?

What do you make of MAC lipsticks in general?

Amy 

xx

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W7 In The Night Palette

12 pans of beautiful festive shades

Another beautiful tin by W7

Another W7 palette, yes I know! I'm a bit obsessed!! This palette has been tugging at my heartstrings lately, with its decadent purples and berry toned shades. Nothing makes me happier than a deep purple smoky eye, it looks sultry without being as harsh as a full-on black smoky eye would be by comparison, and it stands out in a sea of browns and golds.

This palette is as buttery soft as its counterpart, the Lightly Toasted, which W7 sent me a couple of weeks ago. Having finally tracked this one down, I was hell bent on trialling it ASAP. As with the Lightly Toasted, it comes in a beautiful tin that clicks closes satisfyingly, with a double ended applicator.

Lets look at the shadows!!

Such an awfully lit photo... I apologize...

Dusty - shimmery light pink
Wonderland - dusty rose toned shimmer with micro glitter
Summer - very light silvery grey shimmer
Atlanta - mauve toned silver shimmer
Abracedabra - cool grey-purple with silver shimmer
Top Hat - royal purple satin
Razzmataz - deep purple micro glitter
Lady Luck - vibrant pinky purple with silver shimmer
Laura E - deep blackberry purple satin
Party Pooper - cool taupe satin
Gate Crash - deep steel grey satin
Bologna - matte black

Party Look: 

First I took Atlanta all over the lid and up to the brow bone as a surface to blend on, and smudged Lady Luck on the outer two thirds of the lid, blending the edges. Then I very lightly used Razzmataz to define the crease and the outer V. Finally I smoked out the look a bit using Laura E. I used Bologna as a smudgy liner and finished the look with a couple of coats of Absolute Lashes mascara.

In order to balance the dramatic eyes, I used MAC Creme Cup on the lips, which isn't pictured here because I'm forgetful as sin!


I know for sure I'll be rocking this palette at my Zumba Christmas party on the 5th!!

What do you make of this luscious, festive, and dramatic palette from W7?? Tempted?? Let me know!!

Amy

xx

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Review - Mondss Underarm Wear*

Mondss!

When Jane McTernan contacted me about reviewing Mondss Underarm Wear, I was intriuged. 

At the time, I was after starting a new job and I thought they would be perfect to keep me fresh in the kitchens, where the heat, the sweat and the lack of comfort can be rife. When you sweat in a kitchen, you'd want to be sure your anti-perspirant is on point. So when these dropped through the letter box, I knew I was going to put them through one HELL of a trial, just to see what they are really made of. 

Mondss are shaped like a blunt wedge shape, with sticky adhesive all the way around bar a small section in the middle of each side to allow your armpit to bend. They are SO comfortable, they're soft and they are discreet. They lasted me for a whole afternoon the first time I used them... 

Now since they arrived I got let go from that job, so I've trialled them during a hardcore session in my own kitchen, where I have no whites to conceal the sweat and the potential for whiffy-ness. I used them last time I made a cake, which took 2 hours to bake and left the kitchen absolutely stifling, and meant I had to prep, cook, clean and finish all by myself. I wore a grey-marl Hobbit shirt, known for showing sweat stains and everything was perfect!! 

Last week I wore them to Zumba to see if they would be suitable for wearing in the gym, out running or for a general workout, and I'm pleased to report that they are as much suited to active-wear as they are to wearing to work or a party. Admittedly the extra movement encumbers the adhesive and means it wont last you a whole day but if you find you sweat like a beast in the gym, these are for you!! 

Check out Janes wonderful product at Mondss.com.
They retail for 9.99 and at the moment, if you buy 3 packs, you get free shipping! 

If you have tried Mondss, let me know how you got on!! 

Amy

xx

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*Sponsored post, all opinions are my own

The Christmas Tag!!

Hey all!! Christmas is coming rapidly this way and when I saw this tag on Sunshine & Skittles, I knew I had to do it!! I love the run up to Christmas, more than I enjoy the day, actually! Check out my answers down below! 

Image: imgion.com

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

I always loved The Santa Clause, and though it's not a Christmas movie per se, I love the original Willy Wonka movie. That and Singin' in The Rain. They always make me feel so festive!

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

I open my family presents on Christmas Day, and then I get to have a mini-Christmas with Chris cause we live so far apart. Usually my Uncle Charlie (mums brother) gets me my present early and gives it to me early too. It's a tradition to have one really early to build the excitement! 

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

When all my sisters lived at home, there was 4 of us, and my mum and dad. We used to have to queue for the bathroom and it was always so funny to see the line of us waiting down the hallway. 

4. Favourite festive food?

I'm a demon for Christmas pudding. As I've gotten older, my mum has made me my own pudding to have all to myself. I'm a glutton around Christmas though, plain and simple. 

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

Probably the year my dad got me a laptop. He had just retired from work with his heart and my family told me he probably wouldn't be able to get me anything which was totally fine. You should have seen me when he produced this giant box and a big card. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Home baking. We make a veritable deluge of Christmas fare, mince pies, cake, puddings, trifles, buns, you name it! Yum! 

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

We all go to mass and then go home, watch a film and have a glass of Baileys! 

8. What tops your tree?

An angel! 

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

As bad as this sounds, I always got what I wanted for Christmas. Some years though my family insist on getting presents rather than vouchers with bothers me. I'm hard to buy for so vouchers make life easier. 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Getting to eat my mams amazing dinner, watch awful old movies, eat a whole tin of roses and then slip into a serious sleep. 

Now for the tagging! I tag:

Kayliegh, 

Chloe, 

Robyn, 

Zoe, 

and Nirina 

Hope you're feeling festive ladies!! :D 

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Review: Tresemme Liquid Gold

Image Credit: Usagi-Bun.blogspot.com

Having partly bleached hair can be a nightmare, but I've finally lain hands on something that REALLY helps. 

Tresseme Liquid Gold is a beautiful product, which when applied to damp hair before blow-drying adds extra moisture and softens your hair. It can also be applied to dry hair for added shine and extra protection. With Winter coming in I think this product will be a staple in my arsenal to help me keep my hair protected from the biting cold and wind. 

One pump on dry hair and two on damp are enough to help keep your hair in top form. The oil is infused with Argan and antioxidants to nourish your hair from the inside out. 

A steal, at 7.99 in Boots and Tesco nationwide!

If you have this product, let me know your thoughts in the comments...

Be sure to enter my Water Wipe Giveaway to be in with a chance of bagging yourself 12 months supply

Amy

xx

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Empties

My name is Amy and I never finish products. They usually go off before I can and I wind up throwing them out. Or at least that's my excuse. Occasionally though I do finish one or two things! So here's the recent empties I'm about to sling. 


Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff. 

Can we take a moment to appreciate how I managed to accumulate not one, but two tubes?? I thought I lost my first one and then lo and behold it turned up without so much as by your leave. I've squeezed these two poor tubes to death, trying to draw the last few drops out but they're dead now. 

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I admit that this has been beyond its best before for a month or so, but sugar doesn't really go off so I finished it off. It's been a good run, I get a year from each little pot so I can't say it didn't do the job!

Garnier Pure Skin Toner

I adore this stuff and will be repurchasing for definite. The active ingredients in this toner calm down any spots threatening to break the surface and it helps eradicate any which have shown themselves. It smells very strongly but the scent is slightly medical which I like a lot so it's not a problem really. 

Loreal TXT Hairspray

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 Foundation

Hello, holy grail hairspray! Flexible hold, but still in a good degree of control. I love the hold, I love the scent, I loved the price. Yes, very good, on we go!!! 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

Holy grail status again, let me tell you. This is my ultimate foundation. It's pale enough for me, with a pink undertone so it doesn't make me look funny. It lasts all day, it's lightweight but with medium to full coverage and I've had this bottle for over a year.  This is literally my beauty addiction. If I don't have this foundation, I am a very sad little lady. Shout-out to my friend Kayleigh over in the USA for being my supplier! 

Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool

Another seriously well loved product. It takes care of shine, adds a slight hit of coverage, doesn't look caket and lasts for ages. I've already repurchased it, and will continue to because for 3.09, I cannot fault it on any grounds. 

What are your recent empties, my lovelies??

Drop me a line; let me know, and be sure to enter my giveaway HERE where you stand to win a 1 YEar Supply of Water Wipes. 

Amy 

xxx

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Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur Primer

Image Credit: Pretty Chit Chat

Primer is a minefield for my sensitive skin. Since it's the first thing to go on, it's usually the first thing to irritate me. Case in point: I had to wean my skin onto the Rimmel Primer that graced my make-up bag for the last year. It made my skin tingle in a way that was just plainly not pleasant. But I persevered little by little and eventually it became part of my routine, steadfast and immovably etched into my life. 
Not anymo-ore!! 

Enter, stage left, the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Fatigue Blur in Cool Rose. I picked up the anti-fatigue version a couple of weeks back and I'm well and truly converted. The liquid is a happy medium between thick and runny, allowing it to be spread quickly and evenly and worked into the skin well. There is a slight pink pigment in the product itself but it doesn't show on the skin at all. 

The pink tone is actually rather illuminating, serving to take any tired look off the skin. This allows any foundation applied over it to glow ever so slightly, even if the foundation does not specifically state a dewy, glowy finish. It also fills in pores well, though deep lines are more of a challenge... Rather than filling the deep lines, it instead keeps overlying foundation from settling into them. That's alright if you ask me!! 

The packaging for Baby Skin is a lovely peach coloured tube with a thin nozzle for easy application direct to the face if you want to use it that way. This makes it much easier to apply than my Rimmel one ever was. It can also be worn alone due to its light illuminating qualities. This takes that "skip-dwelling hobo" look of me when I decide to rock a bare face... Great stuff!! 

The fact that this primer is water-based is good news for anyone out there with sensitive skin, too!! If like me you find yourself having to build up your resistance to silicone based products, you are going to adore this. It does the job and has not bothered my skin once! 

In any pictures you've seen of me since Halloween, I've been wearing this and loving it!! 

Baby Skin retails in Boots for 11.49 for 22ml. Get it HERE. 

What do you think? 

Are there any other primers you think I should try? 
Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE where you could win 12 months of Water Wipes!!

Amy

xx

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Christmas Wishlist Volume 1

I'm the first to admit that I'm the hardest person to please when it comes to gifts. I've very specific taste, I like a few things a whole lot, and a lot of things I hate. If people try to surprise me it usually doesn't go very well and if the person does succeed in surprising me, I have been driven to panic attacks and sleep disturbance because it plays on my mind so badly.

That's where this comes in. This is my Christmas wishlist, volume 1. I've picked 5 items I would adore, and am going to talk about them here.

The Beauty Blender

Kandee Johnson, Lindsey Hughes and Gigi never stop going on about this little sponge of flawlessness. I need one in my life, badly! 20-ish euro depending on where you get it. 

Urban Decay Naked Illuminate

This one is more of a Pre-Christmas item. I am obsessed with this highlighter for the festive season. It will be mine, by hook or by crook!! 29.00 in Debenhams

Katy Perry for Eylure Oh, Honey! Falsies

These are much more affordable on my list, catering to people like my dad who like to get something small to accompany the annual Penneys Giftcard. These are volumising, natural and reuable, what more would a girl want!! 8.50 in Boots Nationwide

Asics Gel Noosa Tri-9

AS a runner, I've been eyeing these for well over nine months. Seamless, suitable for running, cycling and wearing in the water, they're the ultimate shoe for comfort, support and traction. YUM! 149.99 from Asics (ish, luckily I've a friend who can get me them with his staff discount!)

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Eau De Parfum

I've literally been coveting this since the sales of January past. It's perfection. Nicki, you know how to make a damn good scent girl!! 37.99 in Boots

What do you think of my first round of choices?? 

Drop me a comment and let me know!

Be sure to enter my Water Wipes Giveaway, if you haven't already!!

Amy

xxx

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Review - W7 In The Buff: Lightly Toasted*

The Beautiful Outer Casing

Did you know if you Google the W7 Lightly Toasted palette, there are reviews in every language but English?? But now there is!!

Commonly beheld as a dupe for the cult favourite, the Urban Decay Naked palette, this bargain offering had a lot to stand up to, it's more popular cousin has held the attention of the beauty community for years.

The Lightly Toasted palette comes in a lovely lightweight yet sturdy tin, much like Naked 2 and Naked 3. This immediately sways it with a point in its favour as I cannot abide the packaging the Naked 1 comes in. Tin is much easier to clean, sturdier to travel with and it makes a reassuring click sound when the lid closes. Inside the tin you will also find a double ended applicator, a sponge tip on one side and a brush on the other.

Just like the Naked 1, this palette has 12 shadows ranging from highlight shades, golds, bronzes, browns to grey and black. Each shadow has a different name and there's a mix of shimmer, satin, glitter and matte shades. 

Lets have the run down of the pans, shall we??

Teddy Bear - pinkish cream satin, perfect for highlighting the inner corner or brow bone
Wonderland - light rose gold shimmer
Cracker - very light nude matte shade, flawless transition color
Happy - a warmed toned light golden satin
Lady Luck - matte taupe
Twister - yellow gold shimmer

Di Di - warm bronze satin
Delilah - deep bronze cool toned satin
Magic - warm copper satin
Its A Dream - warm toned deep brown shimmer
Up In Smoke - black with silver micro glitter
Dawn - cool silver shimmer

12 Gorgeous Shadows 

I cannot fault these shadows in the slightest, they are buttery soft and so easy to blend. The layout of the pans in the palette is very reminiscent of the Naked layout and to be honest, I doubt that anyone would know the difference if I wore these shadows in a day or night eye look and claimed them to be their Urban Decay cousins... 

I wouldn't dream of doing so, because the value for money with this palette far outweighs the UD version, but that's how similar these shadows are...


Soft, Sultry Day Look;

Start with Essence I Heart Stage Primer, then taking Cracker through the crease for a base to blend on. I then packed Happy onto the lid and lightly buffed the edges into the crease. Then taking Its A Dream on the outer corner, blending it into the Cracker base all the way into the inner corner, finishing by deepening the outer V with Up In Smoke, blending all together until you are satisfied.

If you lose any of the intensity of Happy, don't hesitiate to pack more onto the lid and lightly blend to create a seamless look. To complete, take Teddy Bear onto the brow bone as a highlight. 

In order to truly polish this look, I used Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner to create a winged out liner look and added some light corner lashes to add subtle drama to the look. 

Soft Sultry Day Look

There is so much you can do with this palette, from subtle day looks to dramatic night looks. You can wear one of the shadows alone or use more than one to blend together to create personalized looks for any occasion.

At 6.99, the W7 Lightly Toasted palette is a bargain. 

You definitely need this palette in your life. 

Get it, thank me later!!

Don't forget to enter my give-away HERE for a chance to win yourself 12 months supply of Water Wipes with thanks to the good folks at Irish Breeze.

Amy

xo

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The Doctor Will See You Now - Outfits Inspired by Doctor Who; 10th Doctor

If I ask you, “Who played The Doctor?” You would probably answer with “David Tennant”. He wasn’t the longest running Doctor (pardon the pun), because that accolade is held by Classic Who’s 4^th Doctor, played by Tom Baker (7 years) to be exact, but David Tennant is surely the best known player of the iconic alien Time Lord. Most people I know identify Tennant as “their Doctor”, paying tribute to the saying “You never forget your first Doctor”.

David Tennant’s Doctor may be the most difficult to emulate as it was absurdly simple yet masculine. A suit, tie and red converse high-tops and a long brown trench coat... C’mon, on anyone else that would look silly, but not 10. I am going to have to say here and now that I had to use some artistic license to create a 10^th Doctor inspired outfit. In fact, I have created 2 boards for the 10^th Doctor, one inspired by him, and one more true to the original style.

Board One: In True Doctor Style

I think first, we will start at the bottom, with the iconic red Converse High-Top sneakers. Since The Doctor is always running around saving the human race, the high top converse are necessary to keep The Doctor on his feet and comfortable at all times. The suit is a two-piece available from Amazon, and the tie is from Hugo Boss. You could layer any light coloured shirt under the suit for a perfect homage to The Doctor. Fantastic!!

Board Two: Allons-y! Inspired by 10!

Again, this outfit would be nothing without the classic red high-top Converse All Stars. The Juicy Couture roll-leg jeans add a further casual touch to this ensemble, which is needed to balance out the sleek Vivienne Westwood Waistcoat and Jacket. Throw on your Karen Millen Trench Coat, add 2 coats of a red nailpolish and you're ready to hop in the TARDIS and stop the Daleks! Allons-y!! 

Which of these outfits do you like best?

Drop me a comment below!!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway HERE for a chance to win a 12 month supply of Water Wipes!

Amy 

xx