.... I'll be back soon ...

Hey lovely people.

I am normally very up on my blogging, but I have been having some problems recently and have been quite poorly. I'll be back when I'm better though. Stick with me.

Thanks. xx

- Giorgio Armani: Acqua For Life.

Hey lovelies, I hope you are all doing well.

I was recently made aware of a really great project that is going on at the moment, with Giorgio Armani and Green Cross International.They are donating water to children in needy countries just by people like us using a simple facebook app, or buying a bottle of their Acqua Di Gio fragrance.

You can see the website for lots more information.

The Project:

Water is an essential element of life.

65% of the human body is made up of water.
4/5 of our planet is covered in water.
Only 3% of this is fresh water. Much of it is inaccessible.

When dirty or contaminated, water becomes a threat. Every day, 4,000 children die from water-borne diseases.

This is why Giorgio Armani is now working alongside the non-governmental organization Green Cross International to make a change and raise everyone’s awareness of this issue.

Acqua For Life’s objective is to provide several tens of millions of litres of drinking water to populations without any access to it. 900 million individuals are still deprived of safe, clean and healthy water for their daily essential needs. Water that is essential for drinking, eating, guaranteeing a minimum of hygiene and maintaining one’s health. The goal of this challenge: To offer this year a minimum of 40 million litres of drinking water to populations in need.

Because they are the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases and it is their future that is taken hostage by this uncertain water supply, children will be the primary beneficiaries of the donations collected by the “Acqua For Life” campaign.

The operation will initially begin in Ghana, supporting the Smart Water for Green Schools project: In this west African country some 40% of the rural population does not have access to drinking water. The money raised will then be used, over time, to finance similar operations in other countries.

- - -  

So if you buy a bottle of the scent there will be a code inside for you to start your own community, which will mean you are donating 100 Litres straight away. If you don't buy a bottle then you can join other communities (It's free!) This will donate 10 Litres just by you joining. Then you donate a further 1 litre for commenting, etc.

I have started my own community, and I would love it if you all join  me. It's really simple to do and you will be helping these poor children get the clean water that they need. If you would like to join my community all you need to do is this:

1. Go to the Facebook App. 

2. Like The Page.

3. Search for my Community by typing my name in the search box.

4. Then click 'Join' .. and you are done! .. Remember, it's free!

Here is a little example to help:

That is all, It's that easy! Please let me know if you join by leaving a comment in my community (it means you will donate more water!) 

Thank you!

Tropical Fresh & Blush. Revive your do with Batiste.

So I admit, I am a huge fan of dry shampoo, I've tried many different brands, but I always come back to one.

Batiste, yep. That's right - They are my fave .. They have a huge range of scents, coloured ones, and even glittery ones too!

I currently am using two different ones, and I love them equally. First is Blush:

The scent for blush is very floral, girlie and feminine. I love it, and I love the packaging too, it's pink, and I love pink! .. This freshens my locks, making them look like they're squeaky clean, and it leaves them smelling great, and the scent lasts too.

Then we have Tropical:

Now, I might be wrong but I think this is the first Batiste I ever tried. They were re packaging it, and so I got a bottle that was reduced. I can remember some members of my family (Mum and Nan) being surprised that you could still buy dry shampoo, and they rushed out to get some too. I never went back after buying that reduced can, and now I have been through bottle after bottle. This is a perfect summer scent, it smells fruity and coconut and mango like, very tropical. Again, it works great and the luscious scent lasts.

You can buy Batiste online at Boots, and in the store too.

If you are unsure what to get your Mum for Mother Day this year, then Liz Earle have a great little gift set put together for all the Mum's out there! This set contains a selection of their Superskin favourites, which help to plump and replenish skin with powerful naturally active  ingredients. Elegantly presented in a blue pillow pack.

The Superskin Body Cream : This is lovely stuff.. Very rich, ultra creamy and smoothing. It smells lovely and soaks in quickly to the skin leaving it feeling soothed and hydrated, and looking plump and healthy. Perfect for all over, or just on drier areas.

Superskin Moisturiser : I've been trying this out, and it is a nice face cream - It is a very nice thick unscented cream, which moisturises very well. I'm oily skinned so for me it's not great.. But for drier skin types and more mature skin it would work perfectly.

Superskin Concentrate : This is a fab pick me up for the skin. I've been applying the concentrate at night time after cleansing - and in the morning my skin looks so glowy and brighter looking. It's like a luxury treatment. It soaks into the skin quickly and works it's magic as I sleep!

Superskin Eye and Lip Treatment : I am enjoying using this, more on my eyes than my lips. It smooths the eye area leaving it looking more awake and hydrated. It's claims to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but I can't comment much on that, as I don't have too many yet *touches wood* .. It's a lovely treatment though.

You can purchase this special Mothers Day gift from Liz Earle Website for just £30, which saves you £12.90. Be quick though, the offer ends on Mothers Day - April 3rd. I know what my mum will be getting!

PR Sample.

.. My Early Morning Eye Saviour!

I have posted about this before in a post.. but I wanted to give it one of it's own, because it deserves it! Just recently I have been doing a course through the job centre which will hopefully help find me a job.. The earle mornings are something I had gotten out of the habit of, and waking up at stupid o clock with tired eyes was not a great feeling.

It's then that I pulled this bottle of goodness out. Liz Earle's Soothing Eye Lotion is designed to wake up and revitalise the eyes! I just use it with cotton wool pads. Just soak them in this and hold onto your eyes. It is a gentle soothing lotion with a water like consistency. It's instantly cooling and wakes my eyes up, making them look brighter, and helping me feel more awake!

It is non-oily, it is ideal for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, and it is make with naturally active ingredients the grassland herb – eyebright, witch hazel, organic aloe vera and cornflower to help tone, cool and refresh tired, puffy or sore eyes.

It's a winner! If you struggle in the morning with tired, itchy eyes - get this!

Available from the Liz Earle website.

PR Sample.

— Nails Inc 'Caramel' NOTD.

I got this polish a while back. This was the only colour they had left in boots, with the free bottles of Diet Coke. It wasn't really a colour choice I was bothered about, but I found that I love it more than I thought I would when I applied it.

It's a lovely bare nude colour that just looks sophisticated on, I think. Application was great, two coats for an opaque, long wearing finish. The quality of these polishes are great - but at their normal price of around £10, you would expect them to be good.

Anyway, here it is ..... (Without Flash, and with.)

It's lovely, and one of those shades that just had be glancing at my nails all day long! That's always a sure winner for me.. Do you like it?

- Random Pictures From The Week #1.

 Purity Nail Polish (Illamasqua) .. I kind of love it. Just not on me.

 My New Look Watch, So bright and funky.

 The Urban Decay Naked Palette. Perfect for lots of looks.

 Simple winged liner, with Urban Decay 'Gash' Liner above.

Miniature Perfumes, So easy for on the go!

 Rainy Days. Brr!

 An old toothbrush and hairspray sets the brows petfectly!

 CID Cosmetics iGlow 'Sirocco' - Just stunning.

Beauty UK Mini Polishes., Too cute!

- Sleek MakeUP Avoir la Pêche 'Paraguaya' iDivine Palette.

 Sleek MakeUP have yet another new gorgeous palette out, perfect for spring/summer. It's full of peachy corals and is just gorgeous! The shades are pigmented, smooth, and blend like a dream - as with all the Sleek palettes. This one is a limited edition .. There is also a blusher and a pout polish available in the same collection, which both look so lovely too.

Here is the gorgeous Palette which I was sent :

And onto the swatches.. They are just beautiful!

TOP ROW : Parfait, Blush, Cameo, Persian Orange, Peach Gold, Sandstone. BOTTOM ROW : Bellini, Redstone, Persimmon, Tangelo, Bittersweet, Stone.

 

What do you think? They are lovely and there is a nice mix of matte and shimmer shades too! Sandstone is so pigmented for a matte, I love it.. I really like them all.

If you like the look of this I suggest that you grab it while you can! It is only available until April 13th.

Available now from Superdrug stores, and the Sleek Website for just £6.49.

» Liz Earle : Gentle Face Exfoliator.

Containing purifying eucalyptus, softening cocoa butter and fine jojoba beads. Apply to clean skin and gently massage in with your fingertips using light, circular movements. Naturally active ingredients include jojoba beads to gently exfoliate, cocoa butter to moisturise and soothing eucalyptus.

This is a lovely product. It smells so gorgeous, and has such a lovely texture. The packaging is great too, if you get the 70ml you get a handy pump bottle which is so easy to use.

The cream base of this is almost like the cleanse and polish, so creamy and smooth - and then, the particles that are inside are so tiny and perfect for exfoliation. This is definitely not too rough on the skin, and it does a really good job. Just massage is onto wet skin, and rinse.

My skin is left feeling so smooth, hydrated and brighter looking.. all of my dry patches are banished and my skin is glowy. It's a loss less rougher than my last exfoliator, but does the job better. Used it conjunction with my whole Liz Earle routine a couple of times a week, this works a treat!

This can be purchased from the Liz Earle Website - Or In store.

PR Sample.

> Primark's 'Take a Brow' Kit.

This was one of my stocking filler gifts at Christmas. I didn't have that much hope for it to be honest, but my mum swears by it for her brows, and so she got one for me and my little sister. She isn't wrong! I really like this little kit, it is so handy and has everything you could need for the perfect brows.

• 2 Brow Powders (Light & Dark)
• 1 Brow Wax
• 1 Brow Pencil
• 1 Mini Tweezers
• 3 Brow Stencils
• 1 Brow Brush

As you can see from the picture, it is all housed together in a little open up book type packaging, which is sturdy and has instructions in the lid on how to get good brows, if you need them. Everything in the kit is really good to use, Except for the brush - It's stiff and scratchy, So use your own. The tweezers have a good grip and are so cute! The powders are pigmented and smooth, the pencil is great, quite dark though. The wax is a cool addition to set your brows, and the stencils are good if you need help with the shape.

The best thing about this is that it's only about £3.50.. and I would definitely recommend it!

..Winged Eyeliner + Bright Lips.

Hey Lovelies,

It's time for a face of the day post! I know that I don't do these enough - I always intend to, and take pictures of make up, but then I forget about them. My bad!

Anyway, this look was to be all about the winged liner and the bright lips.

Apologies for the miserable expression!

What I Used :
» Max Factor Xperience Foundation
» MAC Peachy Keen Blusher
» MAC Era Shadow Over Lid
» MAC Blacktrack Fluidline as liner
» Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara
» White Kohl Pencil on Waterline.
» MAC Rebel Lipstick
» New ID iGlow in Sirocco to highlight

I love some winged liner and bright lips, so simple and easy, but pretty too! I hope you like it!

- Illamasqua 'Purity' Nail Of The Day.

Hey Lovelies!

As promised here is my NOTD post with Illamasqua's Purity nail polish. One of the new shades from the Spring/Summer Toxic Nature Collection.

This is a werird one for me.. I am in love with it in the bottle, but I'm not too sure about it on my nails. It's a stunnung ocolour, and one I do keep on looking at, but because I am trying to figure out if it suits my skintone. I'm not sure it does, it will look much better with a tan.

The quality is amazing though. Opaque within two thin coats.. or one thick coat. The colour is true to the bottle shade and is hard wearing and long lasting. I love Illamasqua polishes in general, they are very good quality.

Anyway, here it is :

[Without Flash // With Flash]

So there you have it.. I look at it, and love it, adoring the colour. But does it suit my pasty skinntone? Let me know your thoughts!

PR Sample.

- Illamasqua : Toxic Nature Collection.

Sadly I couldn't make the Illamasqua Toxic Nature event that I was invited to last week, But I was very lucky to be sent a couple of pieces in the post to have a play with. The whole collection is so eye catching to me, gorgeous images as ever, and the pretty summery pastel colours are just gorgeous. If I could afford the whole collection, it would be mine.

So, let's see what I received, shall we? ...

Purity Nail Varnish and Delirium Cream Pigment.

I love them both. My first impressions of the polish was that I loved the colour, however, since using it, I'm unsure of whether it suits me or not.. My first impressions of the cream pigment was that it wasn't really my colour.. Wrong!

Here is Purity £13.50 - It's a lovely Pastel Peach Cream colour, that is so unique and just screams Summer to me. I love it, but I am currently wearing it on my nails (NOTD soon) and I don't know if it suits me personally. I think it is much more suited to someone with a tan.. So maybe it will suit me better in the Summer! - It is very opaque, fast drying and hard wearing, Illamasqua polishes in general are brilliant quality polishes.

Onto the Delirium Cream Pigment £17.00. These are a new addition to Illamasqua described as water and crease resistant cream products for use on the face and body, and even in the hair. I love this, It is a matt rose taupe shade... I didn't think I would love it, but the colour is just lovely. I have been experimenting with it and it makes a great cream blush colour, and a really nice lip colour too. I have yet to try it on the eyes, but I am sure I will love that too. It is creamy, very pigmented and it blends like a dream.

Without Flash         --           With Flash.

Delirium on my lips .. Without flash & with ..

I LOVE IT!.. What a gorgeous rosy pretty nude shade! .. It does feel a tad drying, but apply some lip balm first and I think it goes on just fine.

So there you have it.. What do you think? .. I am really happy with both products, So thank you to the lovely ladies at Illamasqua for giving me the chance to try these out. I will have the Nail Post up tomorrow!

Thanks for reading everyone.. Let me know your thoughts.

PR Samples.

- Five Good Things #1 ..

[Source]

I've never done this type of post before.. But I am going to start right now. I am going to list five good things of the moment. I feel like this is a good way to be more positive when you are feeling a big 'Meh' .. 

So here I go ...

★ I'm loved. I have close friends and amazing family, that I am lucky to have!

★ Be positive. I have some things coming up that I am feeling very *blah* and negative about. But it's down to me to turn it into something good and to be positive about it.

★ Spring is coming! We've had a few blue sky days recently, with the sun making an appearance. This lightens my mood!

★ Note to self : Remember, Life could always be worse and there are people way worse off that you. I have recently seen two programmes on TV about people with really bad things going on in their lives. It makes you realise how trivial we are about our own pathetic 'problems'.

★ Highlighter. It's a good thing! It gives me a pretty spring glow and makes me happy.

 [Source]

..

- OPI Guy Meets Gal-Veston.

Another from the OPI Texas Collection. This is Guy Meets Gal-veston.

It's a jelly finish, which is lovely a and summery coral pink shade. I applied three coats, and I still have VNL (visible nail line) which is a bit disappointing. But it is kind of worth the effort, because it just screams summer and is a nice bright feel good shade. It dries quickly in between coats too. I think four coats may be better!

 

What do you think of Guy Meets Gal-Veston?

Available from Lena White.

PR Sample.

» Sleek, Chic Hair - With Stylerush!

I was very fortunate to be sent some Stylerush straighteners recently. I love my hair when it is straightened and I always say I will do it more often, and then don't. I love the design of these, and the different colour selections caught my eye before I even tried them. They have Orange & White, Violet & White, Green & White (of course!) & then some Black ones too. I like the green, they are so unique!

"This ingenious professional styling tool is the latest straightener to arrive in the UK.  Its advanced technology within the body of the straightener allow you to master the art of creating those curls, flicks, waves in the hair you are looking to achieve.  Whatever length hair you have you can be sure to accomplish your desired look with ease..

The rounded barrel, smooth tilting plates and 360 degree swivel cord enable you to create that effortless look.  Not only have we produced a styler that is creative but is available in 4 sleek desirable colours for you to choose from. The Stylerush straightening ceramic hair straighteners takes only 60seconds to warm up with an on and off indicator. It also has a LED indicator with a 360 degree swivel cord. It has a cushion and tilting function. The Stylerush hair straightener is ideal for travel as it can be used anywhere in Europe."

Firstly, I really like the design of these, and the colour options. I have never seen straighteners like it, and I think it's a nice touch. The irons feel really sturdy and are light to hold. The exterior white plastic is really durable, and one of the things I love about it is that it has a nice pink iridescence shot through it.

They heat up super fast. It says within 60 seconds, but it is faster than that. They take about 30 seconds and get to a 180 / 200 degree heat, so pretty hot! .. There is a small LED on the On/Off switch that turns orange when you turn them on, and then flashes when they are ready to go.

They have a swivel cord so that you don't get tangled up when you are doing your hair, and they also come with a thermo bag and plastic cap to put on top while they are still hot, for safe storage, which is a great addition. They have perfectly smooth curved edges so that you can create curls, waves and flicks with them.

One of the big things for me with these is that they auto shut off if you happen to leave them on by mistake. I think after 30 minutes they turn off.. This is a great feature, because I have ruined flat irons in the past because of this. The only one thing I wish they had, was a feature so that you could control the temperature you use them at.

... So enough about the actual straighteners.. How do they perform? - Very well is the answer! The 1" plates glide through my hair with no pulling at all .. They have a cool cushion thing behind the ceramic coated plates, so that they don't pull or damage the hair. . Anyway, they glide through, straightening my hair to poker straight in a couple of strokes, my hair is thick and naturally curly too, so that is good. The ceramic plates close the cuticle of the hair, locking in super shine, and my hair is left looking glossy and silky smooth!

The proof is in the pudding ..

I can't believe that is my healthy looking hair! I never realized it had gotten so long either! The wonder of flat irons, eh?! .. I think it looks lovely!

I would say these are as good as some of the leading competitors without a doubt..

Take a look at the Stylerush Website, and the different coloured irons they have. They also sell the cutest mini's too, for your handbag, I need them! I cannot wait for the release of the curling tongs too!

I have done a video review on these on my channel.

The Irons I have, can be purchased here.

PR Sample.

» Bio Oil.

 

I would think that most of you have heard of Bio Oil before now? .. Well, I just wanted to write about it here on my blog, because I believe this is one of those great must have multi purpose products. I do so love a product that haves lots of uses, and this one certainly does!

Just some of the uses :

Reduces Scars and Stretchmarks. Evens the Skintone and Reduces redness.

 

 Bio-Oil is a specialist skincare oil for the face and body, specifically formulated to help reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone.

This is a great multi purpose oil that I use for so many things. It DOES reduce scarring overtime, I've been using it for a while on a scar on my knee which has visibly faded. It is also great to use on the face after cleansing at night time. It soaks in, hydrating my skin and leaving me with soft supple skin. I also use it for cuticles, and dry skin. It works great for everything.

A little bit of this goes a long way, and you only need the smallest drop, otherwise you will be left with a greasy barrier. It smells ok, nothing fancy. But it is a great product that just does the trick for so many things!

Available from here.
..

Megan Fox : The New Armani Code Woman.

... And what a good choice she is. She is so beautiful, and looks stunning in these exclusive shots for the new campaign.

 

I think she looks just gorgeous! ... and he isn't too bad either! :)

The soon to be revealed campaigns, were shot in L.A, California in a glass and iron villa whose mystery is enhanced by a breathtaking view of the shimmering city. In the bewitching darkness, night tension fills the air.  A man and a woman are searching for something that they cannot identify.  Fighting the attraction, they slowly surrender to the captivating power of seduction. The story of what will happen next will not be unveiled as they seem to vanish when their eyes meet.

The intrigue continues in a new chapter of the Code saga, Armani Code Sport, the new men's fragrance created by Giorgio Armani, on counter June 2011.  A story of the power of a man's body, magnetic as it moves under the surface of the luminous swimming pool at night, a woman waiting for a man. The scented night of Los Angeles is a spell that inevitably draws them together.  There is no escape. Seduction is a danger that is worth it.

Dressed in an Armani sequin gown, Megan Fox embodies the sensuality and mystery of the Code woman with her luminous pale complexion and deep red lips. "The signature red, Rouge d'Armani 400 and Luminous Silk Foundation N° 2 add smoulder to Megan Fox's porcelain skin, explains Linda Cantello, Giorgio Armani International Makeup Artist, the talent behind Megan Fox’s fascinating look. The laser cool blue of her eyes is accentuated by the modern smokiness of mixing two shades of eyes to kill intense eyeshadows (N° 2 and N°11).  Finished with eyes to kill excess mascara (N°1).  Her look is drop dead seduction."

.. For more information on Armani Code and to buy online visit www.giorgioarmanibeauty.co.uk - I have just been browing that website, and they have some absolutely stunning things! *Adds to wishlist!*
 

★ Liz Earle Clear Skin Offer!

I love Liz Earle products, as I am sure you are all aware by now!.. They currently have a very good offer on that  am sure some of you will appreciate! They have a Clear Skin Kit, which has some great products in it, worth the value of £33.15 - And all you have to pay is £20.65.. Saving you £12.50!

I personally have all of the products above, and I have reviews of them all except for the exfoliator on my blog (so you can just do a search if you want to see what I thought!) .. I love them all .. The mask is great for problem skin! The exfoliator is one of the nicest I have used (review soon, I promise) The spot on is very strong tea tree, and does the trick of drying out spots!

This offer is available from here. Grab it while you can, offer ends May 23rd.