NOTD

Hi lovelies.

Here's my nail of the day. It actually came as quite a shock as I didn't expect to like it. Basically I was in Boots today and I had a half price voucher for the Natural Collection. I don't particularly wear any of the make up in the range so I thought - cant go wrong with a nail varnish - and went for this gorgeous red colour. I think it's called 'Burgundy', I'm pretty sure it is anyway!

It went on really well, two coats for it to be completely opaque which I find is pretty usual even for high end nail varnishes. Dried really quick and looked gorgeous when it was done.

Overall impression: really happy with this nail varnish and will probably try more. However, I would recommend a good top coat as this nail varnished chipped so fast!!

Hope you enjoyed this NOTD: Have you tried any of the Natural Collection nail varnishes?

Lotsa love
Lullahblog xx

Favourites: September 2012

Hello lovelies!!

Hope you're all well.

I thought while I was on a roll getting my blog posts up to date I would do my September favourites. I've been loving lots of products this month, but here are my faves!

Phil Smith Be Gorgeous Daily Defence Blow Dry Cream

I've been using this loads this month, well every time I've washed my hair! I squirt a blob into the palm of my hand and then smooth it through damp, towel dried hair and the brush through then I just blow dry as usual. I do use a spray heat protector when I straighten, but that's just as extra insurance as I'm putting so much heat on my hair. I have to say, the condition of my hair has really improved and I have hardly any split ends. I'm so pleased with this product. I'm not keen on the smell, I find it a little masculine but other than that I absolutely love it. It doesn't weigh my hair down either which is a big thing as I hate that feeling in your hair when you've got too much product in. Phil Smith products are available at Sainsbury's.

Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream

This moisturiser is divine! It's really thick and luxurious feeling and it smells like shea butter! My skin is much less dry since I've been using this and I have the day and night creams so they are a big part of my skin care routine. This is such an amazing line in general and so reasonably priced, definitely worth checking out next time you're in Superdrug.

Rimmel 25hr Lasting Finish Foundation

As you can see from the manky state of the bottle, I have been using this a lot this month! In fact, there's only a tiny bit left and will probably be in my October Empties. This foundation gives a pretty full coverage and leaves you with a dewy glow and it just lasts and lasts and lasts!! I have fallen asleep in this before and still had it in tact the next morning (not perfectly in tact but definitely still on!). The only thing I don't like about this foundation is that it leaves my skin feeling tacky, I like to feel like I'm not wearing anything on my face so if I can still feel it hours later it really puts me off. However, I have stuck by this foundation as it is so amazing in every other way! I probably won't repurchase this for a while once it's gone, just because I have so many others to use, but I will be repurchasing at some point in the future. Also, I love that this foundation comes in quite a large range of colours as well, I hate it when there's about six colours to choose from and you end up looking like a ghost or slightly too orange!!

Charles Worthington Glossing Spray

Just jumping back to hair care just for a second, I wanted to mention this glossing spray. My hair is a dark red colour at the moment and when I use a light spritz of this product when my hair is straightened it shines like nothing else. I have honestly never known my hair to be as shiny as this makes it, it's gorgeous. I think I got this from Boots and I urge you to give it a go, you won't regret it!

M&S Limited Collection Blusher

I had heard great things from the M&S make-up line so thought I'd try one of the products out. This is a gorgeoys rosy pinky colour and is very pigmented. It goes on really nicely with a blusher brush and lasts all day. It has a slight shimmer to it but nothing too 'jazz hands' - a really really nice blusher.

MUA Every Lash Mascara

The hype surrounding this mascara in the online beauty community has been unbelieveable and, as I'm a sucker for a bit of hype, I had to give this a go. It reminds me a lot of the Collection 2000 Skyscraper Mascara with the flexible wand and it is a really nice mascara, nicely lengthens and volumises my lashes. Smells of apple as well which is a random bonus! Honestly, for four quid you can't go wrong with this!!

Mac Moisture Cover Concealer

Aaaah my trusty old Moisture Cover concealer, how I love it! Hides my (substantial) eye bags and has a dewy finish which fits in nicely with my favourite Bourjois and Rimmel foundations that I am favouring at the moment. I can't find anything wrong with this concealer, I absolutely love it and am getting a little scared that it may be about to run out so am going to get a back-up just in case!

17 Lasting Finish Nail Varnishes

These are brand new to Boots and they are amazing! The one on the left is called Potion and is a greeny, goldy metallic colour and the one on the right is called Copper and is a metallic copper colour. Both absolutely stunning colours and perfect for the Autumn season. I wish my camera would do them justice as tghey are absolutely beautiful - worth checking out when you're next in Boots!
So there you have it, all my favourite products of September.

What are your current beauty favourites?

Lotsa love
Lullahblog xx

Empties: September 2012

Hello lovelies!

Hope you're all ok.

Can't believe it's empties time again, September went so fast. I'm still on Project Use-Up but don't feel like I've really made that much headway with it, which is so annoying as I'm dying to go shopping!!

Anyway, not too much to show you but here goes anyway:

Benefit Bad Gal Lash

I've had this sample size mascara for so long now and it's not so much used up as completely dried up! I liked it when I first got it and used it quite a lot but I don't think I would go out and purchase the full sized product. I think this mascara is a little dated now and there's just so many others out there that I want to try - such as Benefit's They're Real, which I really must purchase soon!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

I love love love this foundation and have bleated on about it quite frequently in my previous posts!! It gives a medium coverage and leaves a gorgeous dewy finish to your skin, ideal if you have dry skin but I probably wouldn't recommend it for oily skin. It smells gorgeous as well and is just an absolutely amazing foundation. I've recently been and bought the Revlon Photoready foundation and I'm gutted that I didn't repurchase this instead - I'll definitely be repurchasing next time I'm in town! It makes me sad just looking at this empty packaging!! :o(

Lush Happy Hippy Shower Gel

I got this as part of a gift box a little while ago and have just got around to using it. It's a gorgeous citrussy smelling shower gel and shampoo. I don't use it on my hair but it leaves my skin feeling fresh, cleansed and moisturised. I suffer from dry skin on my legs and this totally sorted it out. Gorgeous and on my list to repurchase when I do my next Lush shop!

Nivea Invisible 48h Deoderant

I don't usually harp on too much about roll-on deoderants. They usually just do their jon quite happily and never really get any attention! This one is really nice, it smells really fresh and doesn't leave white marks. The mark of a good deoderant to me is how fresh it makes me feel and how long it lasts and this deoderant lasts from 7am in the morning til I get in the shower at night, it's really really good. You can smell it on you (in a clean way not in a manky way!!) and it's just a really nice product. Definite repurchase and recommendation!!

Sex and the City Perfume

This is a bit of a surprise entry really. My husband knows how much I love Sex and the City and he came across this cheapy perfume set in Savers. I think it was about £20 for 5 different perfumes in this set and it was bought as a jokey/novelty gift. However, I absolutely love the smell of all five of them! I've now used up three of the five out of the set, this being the third one. It smells quite fresh but a little musky as well, it's just a really easy to way, day perfume. I can't really recommend you go out and buy it as I think it was a special Christmas set last year but it's Empty so I have included it anyway!!

Freederm Sensitive Facial Wash

I bought this when I had my last break out and thought I'd give something new a try and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed using this face wash as it wasn't really strong like some of the spot control face washes can be. It was really gentle and could even be used on my eyes to remove mascara which I love as I'm nothing if not lazy and hate having to use different products, I love a good 'all in one'!!!! It did dry my face out a bit which I always expect as I do have quite dry skin on my face and I always slap on the moisturiser anyway. Definitely worth a shot if you're looking for a new spot control fae wash.

So that's it for September! I haven't got through as many products as I would like to but I do have a few that are on their last legs that I will include next month. I have loved all of this month's empties and I think it's because if I don't love something I tend to lose interest in it and not use it up so if I've managed to use it all, you know I love it - ha ha!!

See you next time!

Lotsa love
Lullahblog xx

Lip Balm Collection

Hello lovelies!

Hope you're all ok.

It was a conversation with a friend of mine that inspired me to write this post. I was at a Lov Beauty party the other night chatting away and I mentioned that their lip balm was really nice and she asked what lip balm was for and how to apply it. I was really shocked as I thought that everyone knew all about lip balm but apparently not. So I dug around in my handbag and discovered that I actually had five lip balms in my bag!! So anyway, when I got home and had a look at what else I had in the deep dark depths of my make-up collection I discovered erm... a few more...!!

Here's my collection for you to be disgusted at!! I'm still blogging from my phone so I've had to insert the picture at the end...

Vaseline Lip Therapy

Ok, so I have the original, the Rosy lips, the Aloe Vera and the Ltd Edition Creme Brûlée. Without really realising it, I've become to collect these and I do use them often. If you know of any flavours that I haven't got - please do let me know!

Tin o' Tint Lip Tint in Cherry

I've actually included this in one of my Favourites posts so I won't bleat on about it again here. It's scrummy though, and one of my faves!

Nivea Lip Balm

I have these in Soft Rose and Milk & Honey and I was particularly impressed with the Milk & Honey one. I know it's been massively hyped on the Internet so the sucker that I am just had to have it and I'm glad I did! It smells gorgeous and it makes my lips so soft, what more could a girl want??

Lypsyl Lip Balm

I only have this in mint and I'm not sure why I bought it as mint is not one of my usual choices. However, I love it! It smells and tastes like spearmint and is really moisturising - yummy!

Palmers Cocoa Butter Moisturising Lip Balm

I'm a huge fan of the Cocoa Butter range so when I spotted this it was a no brainer, I had to have it! Palmers have replicated that buttery smell perfectly and it's one of my favourite lip balms, I always have it with me.

Boots Kisses Lip Balms

I have three of these: Cocoa Kisses, Toffee Kisses and Sherbert Kisses and to be honest I don't really like them or use them. They're just so pretty in their stripy tins, I can't bear to throw them out. They smell pretty odd especially the Sherbert one but if I had to choose, I'd say the toffee one is the best out of a bad bunch!!

Body Shop Born Lippy Lip Balms

I have two of these: Satsuma Shimmer and Watermelon and they smell divine. We all know that Body Shop fruity smell and these do not let you down! I haven't actually used them yet as I haven't had them long but will definitely have to soon!!

Tropic Lip Love

I've done a review on this previously so won't repeat myself. All I'll say is it smells divine, all natural ingredients and you only need a tiny bit to make your lips feel amazing. It leaves a sheen to your lips as well which is an added bonus!!

Girls2Go Pout and About Lip Balm

This was a cheapy buy, think it was only about a pound but it's actually really nice. Comes in a cute little oblong tin with a slide off lid, a really sweet little lip balm that definitely makes your lips soft.

Body Shop Delipscious Tinted Lip Balm

This is lovely as it adds quite a natural tint to your lips as well. I can't place the scent though, can't decide if it's fruity or not.. Hmmm... Quite a thick consistency (thicker than lipstick) and has a nice shimmer to it. Think I got it in the sale as well - bonus!!!

Neutrogena Lip Balm

This is one of two that I keep by my bed (I'll come on to the other one below). It's quite a thick and intense moisturiser and I like to put it on at bed time and leave it on over night. I usually wake up with nice soft lips after using this however, I'm not keen on the smell of it...

Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

This is the second lip balm that I keep by my bed. I tend to alternate between this one and the Neutrogena depending on my mood! This one smells like menthol which is unexpected but not unpleasant and it makes your lips tingle slightly. I always think it feels like the type of product you would find at a spa, but I think that's true of most Burt's Bees products!

Chapstick

This has got to be one of the more popular brands and I have the cherry and apple flavours. The scents on these are quite strong which I love but if you're not into that, they may not be for you. I usually have a least one of these in my handbag, really great lip balms.

Girls2Go Pocket Beauty Up The Volume Volumising Lip Balm

Phew, that's quite a title and, for a cheapy brand, quite a claim! I'm not sure that my lips feel more 'volumised' when I've used this but it's a nice enough product and smells quite sweet, maybe toffee but I'm not 100%. Not sure I'd buy this again as its just not my fave :o(

So there you have it, my lip balm collection. To be honest, I probably have a few more in the bottom of various handbags but I'm sure you get the gist from the above!!

Hope you've enjoyed this post - what's your favourite lip balm?

Lotsa love

Lullahblog xx

Tag: 50 Random Questions

I am in the mood to do a tag so I though, why not? The time of waiting for someone to tag you is already far away and to be honest, who cares?

I saw this 50 random questions tag on you tube (on Joey Graceffa's channel) but I decided to just write the answers down. Here goes...

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?
I was at Sainsburys picking up some biscuits for my cat!

2. Who are you in love with?
My husband of course!

3. Have you ever eaten a crayon? Never! I used to like to eat Play-doh though!!

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?
Always! There are pink roses on the mug I am drinking hot chocolate out of!

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
We don't have malls in the uk, we have shopping centres - but about a couple of weeks ago, I went to get a cool bag


6. Are you wearing socks right now? Yes, posh striped ones from Hobbs in London!!

7. Does your family have a car worth over $2,000?
Yes.

8. When was the last time you drove out of town? Saturday, I went to my in-laws 60 miles away and came back yesterday (Sunday).

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
No, I live in a small town and our cinema is rubbish!!

10. Are you hot?
Of course!! Ha ha - only kidding! Although temperature wise I am as we have our woodburner on, toasty!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
Hot chocolate - perfect for a cold rainy evening

12. What are you wearing right now?
Trousers and a jumper, not very exciting but it's what I wore to work!

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
Car wash - I'm lazy!!

14. Last food that you ate?
Scampi and a big salad.

15. Where were you last week at this time?
Home, painting my bathroom.

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Unfortunately not :o(

17. When is the last time you ran?
Erm... Is it bad that I can't remember???

18. What’s the last sporting event you watched?
I went to see Women's Wrestling at the Olymics in London, it was an unforgettable experience.

19. What is your favorite animal?
Cat! I have one called Charlie.

20. Your dream vacation?
L.A. We're hoping to get there next year.

21. Last person’s house you were in?
My in-laws yesterday.

22. Worst injury you’ve ever had?
I broke my wrist when I was little

23. Have you been in love?
Yes

24. Do you miss anyone right now?
Yes, family in heaven :o(

25. Last play you saw?
The school where I work did a production of Oliver! It was fantastic!!

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
I try to make them laugh. It's certainly not my dance moves that's for sure!!

27. What are your plans for tonight?
I'm spending the evening in front of my woodburner - might treat myself to a girly film seeing as hubby is out!

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment?
I’ve never been on MySpace.

29. Next trip you are going to take?
Sea Houses in Northumberland in October - yay!!!

30. Ever go to camp?
Nope

31. Were you an honor roll student in school?
No I wasn't a very good student which I regret now!! Stay in school kids!!!

32. What do you want to know about the future?
Absolutely nothing, I like the surprise.

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Yes, I'm wearing Clinique Happy Heart, my favourite at the moment.

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor’s visit?
Yep, just got a letter on Friday, don't make me go!!!

35. Where is your best friend?
Back in my home town, I miss her!

36. How is your best friend?
She's very happy which makes me very happy.

37. Do you have a tan?
Nope, I'm very pale!!

38. What are you listening to right now?
Wood crackling on my woodburner and the news which is very depressing.

39. Do you collect anything?
Makeup! And also Body Shop Body Butters, I have nearly all of them!

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
Probably me!!

41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
Never!!

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Of course!

43. What does your last text message say?
It's from my husband asking me to drop something off at work for him that he had forgotten this morning.

44. Do you like hot sauce?
Nope but I do like sweet chilli dipping sauce - yum!!

45. Last time you took a shower?
Just before bed last night.

46. Do you need to do laundry?
Always!!

47. What is your heritage?
British

48. Are you someone’s best friend?
Yes

49. Are you rich?
I wish!!

50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
Sleeping.

And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this 50 Random Questions tag and I tag you all to do it too!

Lotsa love
Lullahblog xx

Empties: August

Hi everyone,

So here I am again with this month's empties. Not too many this month as I have a few products that I'm still trying to use up, so should have plenty next month! Anyway, let's get on with it!!

Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover

This has fast become one of my favourite nailo polish removers as it doesn't dry out my hands or nails. My nails have been a lot less flaky as well since I've been using this although it says it has a nail whitening formula which I didn't notice at all. All in all, does it's job with a little extra and I'll definitely be repurchasing.

The White Company Verveine Orange & Lemon Hand Wash

I was bought this originally as a gift and I loved it so much that I repurchased it and am very sad that I've used it all up. It smells absolutely gorgeous, more lemon than orange but still very citrussy and fresh. Leaves my hands feeling quite soft as well - I'll be repurchasing this, it's lovely!

Vie Honey Bath Treat

This is another of the products I have purchased from my many Vie at Home parties that has now gone into liquidisation. This is a lovely bubble bath that comes with a cute little honey spoon thingy (if you know what that's called - let me know!!). Its a lovely bubble bath that is really thick and luxurious and smells like.... honey!! It lathers up really nicely as well and it's just a real treat to use this product. I'm sad now as it's discontinued, booooo! Otherwise I would definitely re-purchase.

Natural Collection Wild Strawberry Bath Cream

You can tell I've been loving my baths this month as this is another bubble bath! I think most of us have used the Natural Collection range at one point of another so I won't go into too much detail other than to say that it lathers up really nicely and the smell is much less that fake strawberry smell you usually get and much more natural, it smells gorgeous - yummy! A definite repurchase although I may go for one of their other scents, not decided yet!

Icare Eye Make-up Remover Pads

These are a little gem that I found in Poundland, but I know that they sell them in Bodycare as well. They are perfect for using to remove those last scraps of eye make-up if you're cleanser has missed anything. I also use them for repairing my make-up if I go wrong, which I normally do - I get mascara under my bottom lashes all the time - so annoying!! I got two packs of these for £1 so an absolute bargain and think I've repurchased them around 3-4 times now. Definitely worth checking them out!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Tissues

These aren't an 'empty' as such (although it is empty!) I just thought they were so cute and had to show you! I got a multipack of around 8 packs of these so still have plenty more - they're adorable!!!

So that's it for this month, very short and sweet!

What's been your favourite product of the month?

Lotsa Love
Lullahblog xx

Mini Haul: Accessories

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all well.

So I have done a little bit of jewellery shopping lately and thought I would share my purchases with you.

The first item I got is this owl necklace.

I have seen quite a lot of people raving about this style of necklace online over the last few months and I just think it's really pretty so treated myself to one. It's a bronze colour and has quite a long chain, although I don't think you can tell on this picture (really need a new camera!!).

The next item I got was this bracelet.

It's silver with large black 'pearls' and it's the elasticated type so just slips on and off. I thought I could dress this up or down and wear it with a lot of outfits that I already have.

Lastly, I got this bracelet...

This is another item that I have seen raved about online so I thought "why not?".

This is my favourite item, it's just so funky and cool!! It came in either this gun metal colour or in silver and I'm glad I went for this colour. It's elasticated so just slips on. Can't wait to wear this out!!

So that's it! Just a couple of pieces to add to my jewellery collection. I'm so happy with them and may even purchase a few more bits when I next go shopping.

What do you think? What's your favourite item of jewellery that you wear all the time?

Lotsa love
Lullahblog xx