The Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask & NOTD.

A week or so ago I bought this Body Shop Warming Mineral Mask, and I said I'd do a full review on it. I've been using it once or twice a week, and I think it's worth sharing how good it is. I'm a fan of clay masks, I think Kaolin Clay is great for drawing out all the impurities, and is especially good for oily skin as its very absorbent. I'm also a massive fan of warming masks, I love the way they feel on my skin and it really helps to open up pores for optimum cleaning. It also contains "ginger and cinnamon oils to invigorate and algae to purify and condition". 

I love using natural, mineral ingredients. I always try (and mostly, fail) to use natural ingredients on my skin because I don't believe theres any need for anything synthetic. 

The mask is quite thick, and warms when rubbed in to the skin which opens the pores. I use a mask after exfoliating, so my skin is cleared of dead cells and the mask can cleanse deeper. I try and not leave it on for too long either because apparently it can starve the cells of oxygen (possibly an urban myth!) but sometimes I've watched all of Take Me Out before I realise that I still have my face mask on... 

The product leaves my face so soft, cleansed and refreshed. I get a few blemishes afterwards because the clay draws out all the bad stuff, but after a while it clears up so it's worth it in the long run. 

It also gives my skin a bit more of a matte appearance, especially as sometimes my t-zone can be a tiny bit oily. Kaolin clay isn't usually recommended for dry skin, but the mask does state it's suitable for all skin types. I'd definitely recommend this for anyone who needs a deep cleanse, especially if you wear a lot of makeup and need to give your skin a rest and clear out pores. 

I think I will repurchase this, as I can't fault it. 

Last night, out of sheer boredom, I did a little nail art. Which is impressive for me as I'm the most impatient person in the world! My hands are so shaky as well, what is with that? My left hand is a farce, which is why it's a bit bare (I'll pretend it was meant to be like that). 

I used Models Own Top Turquoise and Coral Reef polishes. I think it turned out quite well considering I am in no way artistic! I used Gem Fatale's tape nail tip as well, which was an absolute winner so you should definitely check it out. 

Smashbox Haul.

I recently bought quite a few things from Smashbox, which I think has some really lovely products. I bought the Publicist Powder Blush, Double Exposure Lip & Cheek Colour in Irresistible, Proof Sheet Powder Blush, Cream Eyeliner Pencil in Antique Gold and Eyelights Palette in Special Effects.
I can't stop buying blushes recently, I'm pretty sure they all look the same anyway! Such lovely pink colours, I can't wait to try them.


I just swatched the blushes on paper, but you can see the Smashing Publicist blush is a gorgeous peachy colour, and I think this is my favourite one. The Proof Sheet blush is a bit more of a rosy pink, which is nice and natural for day time & work.
The lip and cheek colour is a bit more of a coral/pink, which looks lovely on my lips. I will probably end up wearing this more of a lip tint because I tend to wear powder blushes.
It's so lightweight, it doesn't even feel like I have any lipgloss on. It doesn't feel sticky either, which is a massive pro! It's quite natural, it gives a slight pink tint to the lips rather than a full on gloss. It's also moisturising which is a plus for me as my lips are constantly chapped!

The cream eyeliner just glides on, so creamy and easy to apply. I've never worn a gold eyeliner before so it's definitely something I want to try. I always wear black eyeliner which is getting a bit old now.
I'll probably use this with the palette I bought, or maybe use it above my black liner sans eyeshadow.






I absolutely adore this little palette! It'll be so good for taking away with me when I travel. I love nude and natural colours, I'm not brave enough to wear anything too bright. I can't wait to try this on, I haven't swatched it but I'll take a picture of it on this week.
I'll use the first shade (L-R) on my brow bone, the second on my lid and the third on my eye crease.
The palette comes with a reasonable sized mirror and a little brush (which I usually throw away if its the sponge applicator but one side is a small angled brush which may be good!).
I love the Smashbox packaging, it's simple and chic. Although the rubber exterior does get really dirty but I think it can be wiped away with a wet cloth. I love the plain font, I think it's really classic.

I'd definitely recommend the Smashbox brand if you haven't tried it already, the products are amazing quality and good value. I've got a few products from Smashbox in the past and most of them I use every day.

I also got a sample of the Photofinish Primer (which I already have and love) and the High Definition Foundation which I'm excited to try. I love samples!

What are your favourite Smashbox products? Any recommendations?

OOTD: September Sunset.

New orange jumper. I'm in love with block, clashing colours at the moment. I'm wearing peach earrings, an orange jumper and turquoise nails.
This isn't my favourite outfit, but I really love the orange and turquoise together.

My hair is a mess, I was in town today having a shop and it was windy so I didn't bother doing much with my hair.
I have so few clothes at the moment because all my stuff is still at home in Scotland but I'm not living in Leeds. I think I'm moving it down this month though!
What's everyones plans for the weekend?

MAC Haul Inc. Wonder Woman

This morning my MAC delivery turned up, including my MAC Wonder Woman powder blush in Amazon Princess. I was going to buy Mighty Aphrodite but it sold out while I was choosing what else to buy! However, I am so glad I bought Amazon Princess as it's absolutely gorgeous. 

It's a bright magenta shade with a small section of plum. Quite a bright blusher so I wasn't sure if it would suit me. I was actually planning on getting Mighty Aphrodite in the shop today and selling this one but I've fallen in love. 

I absolutely love the packaging. I can never bring myself to throw away MAC packaging for some reason (although I always eventually do). 

I would never have picked this up in the shop, it seems far too bright for me and also a bit dark but I absolutely love it. It doesn't look a magenta shade when it's on, more like a lovely pink, a bit like I've just been out for a walk in the snow which is what I aim for. 

I also bought two eyeshadows, in Naked Lunch and Pink Venus which I didn't swatch because I didn't have my SLR (hence the rubbish picture quality) and also because I'm sure everyone has seen these colours before! If not, Naked Lunch is a lovely light gold beige and Pink Venus is a sparkly but subtle pink. 

I also bought this frost lipstick in Sandy B, which I bought because I'd seen it somewhere (on a blog) and totally loved it. BUT I had a problem putting my order through (as the Mighty Aphrodite sold out whilst I was shopping) so had to go back and re-do my basket, but I accidentally selected Frost instead of Matte. Slightly gutted, because this doesn't really suit me so I might have a blog sale in the near future. 

I definitely recommend the blush and the eyeshadows. Did anyone else get anything from the WW collection? 

This and That.

Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I've just started a new job this week and I'm constantly shattered! Absolutely love it though, so really pleased about that.
I just wanted to do a small feature on some blogs i've really been enjoying this week.

Lauren Rhiannon: A lovely blog from one of cutest girls ever! All things beauty and fashion related. Definitely check this one out! This girl has good taste, too.

Mia O: Another gorgeous blog from a gorgeous girl. Excellent for fashion and beauty advice, lots of outfit posts and wishlists!

Devea: A fashion and beauty blog; amazing and original posts.

I've just bought a heap of MAC and Smashbox makeup so I will be posting about that when they arrive!

SPRING 2011 NAILS

My newest glitters from sparklesnailproducts.com

I'M ON CRACK

CRACK-le that is :) I finally got my hands on a bottle of this. I couldn't find it at any of the stores around town and finally had to order one off Ebay. I used it over yesterday's purple loose glitter mani I had on.






Left blurry to show the sparkles :)