End of year review

Well it’s almost a new year, 2010 has flown by. It’s scary to think 2011 is only round the corner.

This is my end of year post. A round up of everything from favourite products, favourite bloggers, product wishlist and more!

Products I loved in 2010

• Mineral foundation - Collection 2000, Lily Lolo
• Revlon mascaras - Double Twist and Grow Luscious
• Good Things skincare
• No7 kabuki brush
• Avon freeze dry nail spray
• Vaseline cocoa butter lip therapy
• Burts Bees lipbalms
• Colour B4 hair colour remover

Favourite bloggers of 2010

I follow so many different beauty blogs but there's only a select few which I read religiously and this is because the bloggers are so down to earth and it feels like you're reading something written by a friend. So with this in mind my favourite bloggers of 2010 are:

• Olivia - Olivia Writes
• Lou - Sprinkle of Glitter
• Sherrie - Mirror, Mirror on the wall
• May - May Loves Make-up

And all these lovely girlies are on Twitter so get following them on there too!

2011 product wishlist

This next year Im not going to go mad with buying new things, my post coming up in a couple of days will detail more, but I do have a product wishlist which I've been collating over the last few months. And it's quite lengthy! So here it is:

A’Kin

Lemongrass shampoo - £7.49

Mandarin shampoo - £7.49

Jojoba conditioner - £7.49

Naked

Salt scrub - £6.99

Orange blossom body wash - £3.99

Sensitive shampoo - £3.99

Sensitive conditioner - £3.99

White ginger body wash - £3.99

Facial toner - £4.49

Facial cleanser - £4.49

Organix

Coconut shampoo - £5.25

Coconut conditioner - £5.25

Vanilla shampoo - £5.25

Vanilla conditioner - £5.25

Everyday Minerals

Matte base

Intensive base

Nick Nack blusher

Like lady bird lake blusher

Multi intensive concealer/eye primer

Dark brown brow colour

Benefit

Bella Bamba face powder - $28 (released mid January in the UK)

Lily Lolo

Nude concealer - £7

PeepO - £7

Barely Buff foundation - £12

Une

Mineral foundation powder - £9.99

Nip + Fab

Tummy Fix - £18.95

Cellulite Fix - £17.95

Bust Fix - £15.95

The majority of these brands have their own websites which you can buy from but if not they're all available to purchase off the net.

Blog posts

I've got lots of ideas for blog posts to do next year and loads of reviews to write including:

• Veet in shower hair removal cream
• Veet pre -epilation spray
• Philips Satin Perfect epilator
• Eyeliners
• Soap & Glory Sit Tight
• Toni & Guy brunetter shampoo & conditioner
• Schwarzkopf got2b collagen lift hairspray
• And many many more!

And finally.....

All that I have left to say is that I hope everyone has a happy new year and I'll 'see' you all in 2011! xXx

Review - Vo5 strong hold weather resistant hairspray

I’ve had this since it first came out in the summer of last year and I’m alway apprehensive about trying different brands of hairspray as I know which one I like and others don’t seem to compare. But this one claims to have 5 vital benefits:

• All day hold that brushes out easily
• Weather Protection which provides a shield against humidity for 24 hours, preventing frizz
• Ultrafine Fast-drying spray, with no sticky residue
• Healthy Shine to finish your style
• UV Filter to help protect against environmental damage

I have also used many dehumidifiers and haven’t found one which wow’s me so I didn’t have high hope for this.

I used this during the extreme snow we had and after having to walk for an hour to and from work and wearing a woolly hat I think it had it’s ultimate test.

I have to admit my hair did stay humidity and frizz free all day and it did dry fast and was non-sticky but I still prefer my normal hairspray (Boots Essentials). I would buy it again but purely for it’s protection against humidity. 

Have you used this? What did you think?

VAT increase

This is abit of a boring post but on the 4th January VAT is due to increase from 17.5% to 20%. So I thought that I'd remind you that if there was anything you were thinking of buying in the next few weeks, buy it now! I know that you might not save much but every little helps and what you do save you could put towards that new pair of killer heels or the next must have MAC collection!

(Image borrowed from weheartit)

Review - Toni & Guy brunette shampoo & conditioner

After my 21st birthday I started dying my hair, I think I was going through some sort of early mid-life crisis, but the need to re-do my roots every few weeks soon took it’s toll so I decided to try Colour B4 (review here) which stripped the colour out of my hair. The only problem was that it stripped it down to a coppery brown colour and not back to my original dark brown. I tried to get hold of John Frieda’s colour glaze to use as a toner but I think it’s discontinued so the next best thing I found was by Toni & Guy and it was their brunette shampoo and conditioner (£5.69 from Boots).

This is just a normal shampoo and conditioner but it does have colour enhancing pigments which help to intensify your colour. I use this maybe once a week just to boost my colour and now my hair has grown quite alot I don’t need to use it as often as it’s grown back it’s ‘proper’ colour.

(On the left is the shampoo and the conditioner is on the right.)

I was impressed with how well it did darken my hair and one time after using it I went to work and people kept asking my if I’d dyed my hair because it looked that much darker!

I would buy this again and they regularly have Toni & Guy on offer at Boots (2 for £8 or something similar) which means it’s really affordable to try.

Save vs Splurge - Eyeliner pencils

This is the first of a new set of blog posts which I'm going to so which will try to find out whether cheaper products are better than splurging on more expensive ones.

There are so many different eye pencils on the market these days and they all vary in price. Some are a couple of quid and others are nearer £10. So why spend more money on one when you can get one for under half the price? I’ve got 3 eyeliners (all near enough the same colour) which vary in price £3.99, £4.25 and £7.75 so I aim to answer this question. And is the old proverb “you get what you pay for” true?

Products

• First is the cheapest option. 17’s Metallic eyes pencil in green. This is £3.99 and available from Boots.
• Second is Bourjois’s intense waterproof metallic eye pencil. I believe this is £4.25. This is available from Boots but I can’t find it on their website.
• Finally is No7’s metallic eyes pencil in green. This is £7.75, so the priciest, and is also available from Boots.

Apologies that the eyeliners in the photo aren’t in the correct order. (Top: 17, Middle: No7, Bottom: Bourjois). They will follow this order in the next 3 photos.

I did a simple test to show the difference in quality but I have also worn all these quite alot so will tell you what I think at the end.

To test them I drew each eyeliner onto the back of my hand (the same amount you would put on your eyes).

(Top: 17, Middle: No7, Bottom: Bourjois)

Once they had had time to dry/set I brushed over them with a baby wipe.

With only one wipe it’s obvious that the 17 one has practically dissapeared. No7’s has dulled slightly but Bourjois’s is still going strong.

After another brush with a baby wipe 17’s has gone, No7’s is on it’s way to disappearing but Bourjois’s is still going strong. It’s not as vibrant as it first was but it still has an intense block colour.

So the results of my very scientific test is that the middle priced product won!

What do I think?

• 17 - I normally use this all over my eye instead of an eyeshadow but I find that it creases terribly and within a few hours has practically gone. Reapplication is key to using this product. Something which I don’t have time to do at work.
• No7 - This is better than 17’s eye pencil, it doesn’t crease but the formulation is chalky and it does feel like it’s being dragged over your eyelid.
• Bourjois - My favourite! This is such a smooth pencil (slightly reminiscent of Urban Decays 24/7 pencils) and goes on very easy. It doesn’t fade or crease and does last all day. The only bad thing is that when it's first applied to does print slightly onto my upper eyelid so I have to wipe it off.

In this case the cheaper brand is the worst but the most expensive isn’t the best. It pays to be open minded when buying products as paying more doesn’t always mean you’ll end up with the best quality.

New look blog!

I've been toying with the idea of changing my blog look for a while and have just taken the plunge! I wanted something which looked simple, easy to use and tidier!

I hope you all like it and let me know what you think!

xx

Christmas present haul

I hope you all had a lovely christmas and got lots of lovely presents. Just thought I'd do a quick haul post to show what I got. There's nothing really exciting but thought I'd show you anyway!

Yankee candle tarts - from my secret santa at work

Bath bombs from Bomb Cosmetics - From my friend Kerry

Heart necklace and earring set - from Chris

Buckle bracelet from New Look - I returned something Chris bought me

and bought this instead.

Lancome Tresor in Love giftset - From Chris's mum

Cat key ring and dog compact mirror - from my friend Sharon (I call her mummy number 2!)

All of the above are from my mum and dad

Picture from Next for my livingroom

Sweets from Next (I'm polishing the Snowies off as I type!)

Handmade bracelet off a little jewellery stall on our town's market. It was only £3.90,

I was with my mum when she got it!

Decoupage sheets for my card making and crafting

Naked body wash and hair care

The hand mixer in the photo below is also off my mum and dad

Mirrored tea light holder, Dannii Minogue's autobiography and

£40 for some new cutlery all off my Grandma

I have some more presents off some friends but one I haven't had time to catch up with and one present is stuck in the post somewhere.

What did you get for christmas?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Just a quick note to say for tomorrow:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hope you all have a great day, get loads of lovely prezzies and eat for too much food!

Image borrowed from weheartit

Recipe - White chocolate & cranberry fudge

I found this recipe last year in a magazine from a supermarket (Tesco I think) and thought that it seemed quite easy to make so I gave it a go. And it's gorgeous!

What you need

• Weighing scales
• Measuring jug
• Spoon
• Pan
• Greaseproof paper
• Baking/loaf tin
• Timer

Ingredients

• 350g (12 oz) granulated sugar
• 25g (1 oz) butter
• 175ml (6 fl oz) evaporated milk
• 100g (4 oz) dried cranberries
• 300g (10 oz) chopped white chocolate

Method

1. Cut a piece of baking parchment large enough to line a shallow 25x20cm (10x8 inch)baking tin or a 1kg (2lb) loaf tin

2. Put the sugar, butter and evaporated milk into a large heavy-based pan. Heat gently until the sugar has completely dissolved

3. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes (set a timer for this)

4. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the cranberries and chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and pour into the greaseproof paper lined tin straight away

5. Even out the mixture and place int he fridge for at least an hour to chill

6. When set, cut into squares......

AND ENJOY!

Review - Vaseline cocoa butter lip therapy

I don't like vaseline. Strange thing to say at the beginning of a review but I don't. The only thing I use it for is when I've got a cold and my nose is sore! But when I saw that vaseline had released anew cocoa butter lip therapy tin I though I'd give it a go as I love cocoa butter.

When I bought this I had a cold and my lips were really sore and cracked so thought I could smear this all round my mouth to rehydrate!

I have the original vaseline and the aloe vera tins and I think that this one is less gloopy which is why I love it! It also smells and tastes gorgeous and I use it all the time.

It does soothe chapped lips and in this crazy UK weather is a god send at the moment.

This was only £1.89 for a 20g tin which will last me for a very long time but I would definitely repurchase.

Have you tried this? What did you think? Which is your favourite Vaseline lip therapy tin?

The week that was....

Blimey, another week gone! Time is flying by!

I thought we'd have another sprinkling of snow but luckily we were just on the edge of it and only had a little which didn't settle so we got away with it! Unfortunately we just have FREEZING temperatures. Brrrrr.

I also got my hands on the Soap and Glory offer of the week at Boots!

I was so excited to get one of these and have filled it with all my new goodies from recent hauls. I’m going to keep these separate to my other toiletries so I can use my old stuff first.

I also can't believe these are being listed on ebay for £35-40! This makes me mad as people who genuinely want one can't as people have bought them just to sell.

This week was also the BF's 28th birthday. He's old! We didn't do anything as he was working but he had a good day as I was working so he could play on Gran Turismo 5 all day!

So this is the last week before christmas so I'll be busy working and getting everything ready for christmas day. It's madness we get all stressed out just for one day!

Review - Lee Stafford blow dry faster spray

Currently Boots are giving out £2 off professional haircare when you spend a certain amount in store (not sure how much) so I thought I would try the Lee Stafford blow dry faster spray which I had been eyeing up for a while.

Like it's name suggests it's meant to enable you to dry your hair faster and as my hair is really thick and holds loads of water I thought this could be my wonder product. I was wrong.

It suggests you spray this onto your hair before combing it through but I comb my hair, towel dry it and then spray it on.

Normally I wait 30 mins before drying my hair because it's just too wet and takes forever but one day this week I vigorously towel dried my hair and then dried it straight away. This took me 4 minutes. When I washed my hair the next 3 times I used the spray but there was little difference in drying time, either 3 or 4 minutes.

The only good thing about this spray is that it left my hair really soft and manageable which it normally isn't if I've dried it straight after washing it.

This is £5.99 for a 200ml bottle and with £2 off is quite a good buy but would I repurchase? No, not even with money off. I will continue to use it just because it makes my hair lovely and soft but that's the only reason why.

My first award!

I've been awarded a Stylish Blogger Award from Donna who runs the PTD blog.

This is my first award so am really shock to have been given it, especially as I've been neglecting my crafting blog lately.

Once Awarded this award you are supposed to:

• Thank and link back who awarded you this award
• Share 8 things about yourself
• Pay it forward to 4 other Bloggers
• Contact them bloggers and tell them about their award

8 things about me:

1. My nickname is Mooney which was given to me by my lovely boyfriend
2. I'd love a dog, in particular a Westie, I think they're so cute
3. I love baking and cooking
4. I'm an organisational freak! I have lists for everything and everything is filed away nice and neatly
5. I have a degree in Health Studies but I currently work in retail
6. I'm an only child and have a mild form of only child syndrome!
   
7. I have a slight addiction to cherry coke which isn't good for the teeth
8. And I will one day own a Fiat 500 who I will call Daisy!

This was awarded to me on my crafting blog but I'm going to post it on here and forward it onto beauty bloggers. And I have chosen:

1. Olivia
   
2. Sherrie
3. Lou
   
4. Sabrina

I've chosen these bloggers because I love reading their posts and they are really inspirational!

This is unlike myself who has been a bad blogger BUT I have lots and lots of posts coming up so I will be dedicating a whole day to blogging to try to redeem myself!

Boots Soap & Glory offer of the week

Starting friday is the last OOTW at Boots for 2010 and boy have they left the best until last! Yep it's Soap & Glory! Last year they had the infamous hat box and this year they have created the Pink Big Tote bag which is filled with lovely goodies and the best bit is that it's reduced from £60 to only £25!

Included in this is:

• Clean on me shower gel - 500ml
• Righteous butter - 330ml
• Flake away body scrub - 300ml
• Girligo scented body moisturising mist - 100ml
• Glad hair day shampoo - 250ml
• The breakfast scrub body smoother - 300ml
• Hand food - 125ml
• Scrub your nose in it face scrub - 125ml
• Sexy mother pucker lip gloss - 7ml
• Off your face cleansing wipes - 25 wipes
• Shower puff
• Tote bag

This OOTW is one which I'll certainly be buying! Will you?

December crafting post

This is the last crafting post I'll be doing this year so there are a few more cards on here than usual which I post on my other blog and on Pear Tree Designs where I am a member of their design team.

Card 1: Shaker card

(glitter/beads/confetti behind a sheet of acetate)

Card 2: Colourful

(no dark boring colours)

Card 3: Sketch design

(had to use this layout)

Card 4: Winter Wonderland

Card 5: Christmas

So there we are, my last cards of 2010! I will be continuing my design team duties next year so will continue to post monthly updates on here.

The week that was....

Sorry that this post is a little late this week but I've been super busy.

So, the snow/ice is melting....slowly. My street is just like a sheet of ice, it's loose so if the council got a digger and scooped it up the problem would be gone but nooooo! And apparently it's all coming back at the end of this week. Great. Hense the photo below (which was borrowed from weheartit):

But I've been at work all this week and it's been so busy. Absolute madness!

Also the BF has been away, he's gone to Belgium to see his mum so he's either coming back tonight or tomorrow, I'm not sure. And his phone doesn't work abroad because it's rubbish! Well his network is not his phone!

I've put my christmas tree up and wrapped all my presents so all I need now is a few more foodie bits and then I'm done!

Are you all organised for christmas?

Boots Gorgeous by Gok offer of the week

This week the OOTW at Boots is the Gorgeous by Gok limited edition deluxe collection. This will be on offer from the 10th - 16th December and will be reduced from £45 to £22.

This contains:

• Bodywash
• Shower scrub
• Bodymask
• Body oil
• Body butter
• Body polisher

I'm undecided about this one, I've heard good things about the Gok collection but not sure whether I'll buy it or not. Will you?

Weather moan

Snow, ice, freezing fog, severe frost, freezing temperatures. Things aren't getting better, they're getting worse.

I made the BF shift his car so I could get mine out and braved driving for the first time yesterday and as long as you go steady it's ok and actually safer than walking on sheets of ice (or more commonly known as pavements).

One thing I hate about driving in this weather is the fact that it takes about 10 minutes to defrost my car in the morning once I've melted the ice which is freezing the door shut and then having to do the same at work when I want to come home. Not good.

When I left work at 5pm it was -11 degrees and temperatures aren't going to improve until thursday and boy do I hope that they will. Snow and the cold temperatures I can cope with but...

ICE PLEASE GO AWAY!!

Image borrowed from weheartit

Product use up

First of all apologies for the crummy photo, my Blackberry didn't like the light source in my bedroom.

So products left from last month and previous months:

• Soap and Glory greatest scrub
• Soap and Glory sit tight
• L'Occitane verbena body gel
• Toni and Guy brunette shampoo
• Toni and Guy brunette conditioner
• L’Oreal make up remover

It will be a challenge just trying to finish those products up before the end of the year!

But this month I'm going to try to finish these off too:

• Dove grapefruit and lemongrass deodorant
• Boots Extracts cocoa butter body wash
• Nelsons pure and clear tea tree face wash
• Boots Extracts almond body scrub
• Molton Brown mini shower gels (I have 3 of these even though there's only 2 in the photo)

How have you done this last month in using up old products?