Nail Inc. Bluebell

I got this nail polish as a magazine freebie. Unfortunately the neck of the bottle snapped yesterday :( It is not the first time it happened to me, weird...
The formula is very streaky! I had to be very very careful and precise to get a smooth finish. After a few attempts I finally managed to get an ok finish, but still a little bit streaky.  It needs two coats and the drying tome is about 10 minutes.  I really like the colour- a lovely shade of pastel blue/lilac. I have got another nails inc. nail polish from InStyle magazine and I need to admit, I don't like the formula. I would never pay the full price for their products.

Stila lip twinset review: Demi-Crème + Shine

Hello everyone!
Today I am adding a quick review of another Stila bargain I got from TKmaxx. I absolutely love this little duo!

STILA LIP TWINSET: DEMI CREME+SHINE IN DEMI TULIP link

I couldn't  find it on Stila's website, but I found a link to it on ebay for £4.99. The Demi Creme has got a matte finish and you can use it on its own if you like this kind of look. The same applies to the lipgloss, it can be used on its own, the finish is glossy and it gives my lips a lovely shine. I use both sides together, the Demi Creme first and lipgloss on top. The colour is a lovely shade of pink, very vibrant. I like the formula, it's not sticky at all and doesn't  leave my lips dry. I am very pleased with this purchase. It came in a set of 3 Stila products for £7.99. Great bargain.

Essie Super Bossa Nova Swatch and great news :)

Here is the last swatch from my Essie purchases. This colour is called Super Bossa Nova :) I love the name! It is a bright fuchsia pink with a delicate purple/pink shimmer. The formula applies beautifully but unfortunately the drying takes ages. Don't worry, the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri will rescue you :)
I needed 2 thin  coats to get an opaque finish. I am an Essie convert and I want to spend all my money on their nail polishes! :) haha

Neal's Yard Remedies organic makeup range review. Lip Gloss, Eyeshadow, Bronzer and blusher

Hi everyone,

I became a big fan of mineral and organic makeup lately and I was sent some Neal's Yard Remedies makeup to try out. I received NYR Lip Gloss in Goji Berry, Mineral Pressed Eyeshadow in Silver Birch, Mineral bronzer in shade 51 golden bronze and Mineral Blusher in shade 54 peony.

I loved using all the products and my face became much clearer since I stopped using high street makeup brands. I really try my best to stick to natural and organic brands now, as I can see a big difference on my skin.

SILVER BIRCH MINERAL PRESSED EYESHADOW 2g* £11.50 link

INFO:Captivating colours with smooth, even, lasting coverage.Our stunning new Eye Shadows are a blend of natural minerals and light-reflecting mica in a base of super-fine organic corn starch, for beautifully smooth, even, lasting coverage.All are enriched with antioxidant white tea and wild rosehip seed oil, with organic skin-nourishing oils to nourish, nurture and protect the skin. Talc free. 16% Organic 62% Mineral. No talc. No parabens. No silicones. Certified by the Soil Association

MY OPINION: I am very impressed with this eyeshadow. First of all it is a lovely colour. I like grey, silver and black shades for a smokey eye look. Most of the time I use this eyeshadow allover my lid and I usually add a light shade in the inner corners of my eyes and on the top of the lid. I didn't use a primer and it stayed on all day without creasing. Depending on the brush I was using, there was a little bit or a lot of product fallout, so I used an ordinary eyeshadow applicator and there was no fallout at all. You can go for a more natural look if you apply it lightly or if you like a smokey eye look it can be done as well, as the colour goes to a dark grey if you apply more product. It gives a nice shimmery finish and looks lovely.

I used the NYR mineral eyeshadow In Silver Birch for this look, with Urban Decay Bootycall.

GOJI BERRY LIPGLOSS 15ml* link

INFO: Lavish lips in organic gloss. Add a stunning slick of skin-nourishing gloss, while helping to protect and perfect your pout. Each juicy natural shade contains antioxidant white tea and a minimum of 92% organic ingredients, including our essential fatty acid-rich Organic Beauty Oil, tasty signature organic sweet orange oil, conditioning organic castor seed oil and beeswax, to nourish, nurture and protect while adding stunning glossy colour. No parabens. No silicones. No carmine

MY OPINION: It is such a lovely lipgloss. The colour is beautiful and looks very natural on my lips. If I apply it lightly it gives a little bit of colour (picture below), but if you apply a generous amount, the colour becomes more intense (see the pictures above).

The formula is very smooth, not sticky at all and it smells lovely- very fruity/citrusy. It also tastes slightly citrusy :) Yummy! It is highly moisturising and leaves my lips very soft.

It is packed with organic oils to protect and nourish. I use it very often, instead of my usual lipbalms.

MINERAL BRONZER IN GOLDEN BRONZE 5.5G* £16.50 link

INFO:Natural, even, lasting mineral bronzing. Create a lasting natural-looking sun-kissed glow, contour and define with our new mineral bronzers, infused with natural mica for a subtle light-reflecting finish. All are enriched with antioxidant white tea with organic skin-nourishing sweet almond, sunflower and avocado oils, with deeply moisturising organic shea butter, to soothe, moisturise and protect your skin.11% Organic 84% Mineral. No talc. No parabens. No silicones.

MY OPINION: This bronzer is perfect for summer, it is very light and gives my skin a lovely sun kissed look. I use it allover my face with a powder brush or a kabuki brush, to get a bronzed look, or with a contour brush if I want to give my face a bit of contour. Applied in the morning, it should last all day, unless you are exercising :)  I really like using mineral powders and bronzers, because they are full of goodness for my skin.

MINERAL BLUSHER IN PEONY 6g* £16.50 link

INFO:Natural, even, lasting, matt coverage. We use natural mineral colours in an organic corn starch base, enriched with antioxidant white tea and acai, with skin-nourishing organic sweet almond oil, avocado oil and shea butter, to soothe, moisturise and protect your skin. 19% Organic 65% Mineral.

No talc. No parabens. No silicones.

MY OPINION:  It is such a lovely subtle shade of light rosy pink. It looks very natural and I don't think you can overdo it :) I apply it onto my cheeks with a blush brush. Remember to tap off the excess, before you start applying it. If you don't, you will waste a lot of product.

It gives a nice matt finish and add a nice glow to my face. I think it is the most natural looking blush, I have ever tried and the fact that it contains nourishing  oils and is free from nasty ingredients just won me over. I am addicted to this blusher!

FOTD with NYR makeup: 

FACE: Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in shade 02 Beige*, Liz Earle Natural Finish Loose Powder in shade 01 ivory*, Liz Earle Perfect Fix concealer in shade 02 Fair*, NYR Mineral Bronzer in shade Golden Bronze*, NYR Mineral Blusher in shade Peony*, LIPS: NYR lipgloss in shade Goji Berry*, EYES: NYR mineral pressed eyeshadow in shade Silver Birch*, Urban Decay Naked 2-bootycall, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara, Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama gel eyeliner

 *PR SAMPLES

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Beau Boutique GIVEAWAY: Win a Sugarhill Boutiqe Merry Go dress or a Dainty Damsel Skull Bracelet

Hello ladies!

I have got some very exciting news for you! Beau Boutique is sponsoring a giveaway for my lovely readers. One of you can win a Sugarhill Boutique Merry Go dress, or if you are a jewellery lover, you can win a gorgeous Dainty Damsel Skull Bracelet!

I would like to say a big big thank you to Hania from Beau Boutique for being so generous and lovely!

Beau Boutique stocks celebrity fashion brands like Sugarhill Boutique, Hedonia, Ax Paris, Helen Rochfort and Dainty Damsel. For fake tan lovers- there is a full range of Laurens Way fake tan available. I got sent a couple of products to review and I will be reviewing them them this week.
I am using Rafflecopter for this giveaway again. It is UK only (sorry)
The giveaway ends on Sunday the 17.06.2012 and I will announce the winner asap :)
Remember that the first 2 entries are MANDATORY!  You need to follow @TheBlackPearlB and @BeauBoutiqueUK on twitter to take part in this giveaway. Rafflecopter checks all entries and disqualifies the ones that didn't follow the rules.
Good luck everyone!

This gorgeous dress can be yours! It's available in sizes XS,S,M and L.

or if you are a jewellery addict you can pick this lovely Dainty Damsel Skull Bracelet

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Herbalife NouriFusion Multivitamin Cleanser review

Hi everyone.

I received this cleanser last week and I have been using it every day since (3-4 times a day). You will probably think... Why would I wash my face so many times? Here is the answer: When the weather is so hot, my face goes extremely oily and I need to wash it a couple of times a day. If I don't - I feel horrible. Normally I would use it twice a day (morning and evening).

 

HERBALIFE NOURIFUSION MULTIVITAMIN CLEANSER 200ml* £15.65 link

My latest 5 minute DIY - cute flower headband

I made this cute flower headband today to match my new DIY skirt. It is really simple.

1.You will need a plain headband, ribbon or a long strip of fabric, thread and needle (or glue) and some plastic flowers to attach to the headband.
2.Wrap the ribbon around the headband, securing it with thread or glue.
3.Make a flower out of leftover ribbon (any shape you want) and attach the plastic flowers.

Sunday mix

Hi everyone!

I know I have been saying it all week, but I can't believe how hot it is!!! I hope you are having a lovely Sunday. We got the pool up in the garden so hopefully Zachary will enjoy it :)

Here is my week in instagram pictures.

 

1.yummy salad with grilled Quorn fillets. 2.Essie smooth sailing. 3.OPI New York City Ballet Collection. 4. New Essie Minis. 5. OPI New York City Ballet Collection. 6.Fruit and fibre for breakfast. 7.InStyle magazine with Nails Inc Bluebell nail  polish. 8.9.My husbands birthday cake. 10.Summer wedges. 11.Arm candy. 12. Zachary sleeping in the car. 13.Me. 14. HM fruity necklace. 15.FOTD. 16.EYE MAKEUP

Antipodes Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator Review

Hello ladies,

I hope you are enjoying the sunshine. Remember to use sun protection!!! :)
Today I am reviewing another Antipodes product. It's the Reincarnation Pure Facial Exfoliator.
I already reviewed Antipodes face creams here and I am starting to fall in love with this amazing natural and organic brand and there is more reviews to come :)

TANGERINE FOTD

Hello everyone!!!

The sun is shining today so I decided to do summery makeup using different shades of orange.

I used my Revlon Lip butter in Tutti Frutti, Stila blusher in Gladiola and orange Urban Decay eyeshadow. On my nails I am wearing Essie Braziliant. I added an orange necklace to go with the look.

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Review: Stila Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Cream in Gladiola

Tonight I will tell you a little bit about my experience with Stila. I have never heard about the brand until I started looking for an illuminating foundation. I bought the foundation from Buyapowa and when I received it I wasn't happy, it was half empty and the formula was weird, with bits of oil and some dried up product as well. I sent it back and got my money back. It's a shame, because I really wanted to use it.
When I was shopping in TKmaxx I came across sets of Stila makeup for £7.99 and £9.99! I couldn't resist it and I bought 2 sets. Five products in total. It was a great bargain. The shades were a guess, because of the cardboard packaging, but I took the risk. I got a foundation, concealer, lipgloss, lipstick and convertible color cream. Today I am reviewing the Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Stain in a very bright shade- Gladiola.

 

STILA CONVERTIBLE COLOR DUAL LIP AND CHEEK CREAM in GLADIOLA 32g £16.00 link

Essie Braziliant Swatch- perfect for summer!

Here is my second Essie swatch. This colour is called Braziliant and it is a very bright  orange/tangerine colour with micro shimmer. Although it is bright it is not a neon colour, so if you are not a fan of neons you can feel safe about this one. It looks lovely with a tan, but also suits pale skin.
PS.Excuse my paint work and cuticles. I swatched over 20 nail polishes that day.
I am currently giving my nails some TLC and I will be doing a post about it soon.

Myroo Lemon Body Butter Review and discount code

I love Body Butters, especially if they smell divine! I got this one about a month ago and I've been using it quite often allover my body, or just on my hands, elbows and knees.

 

MYROO LEMON BODY BUTTER* £15.00 for 115g link

May GlossyBox Review: The Birthday Edition

The Glossybox Birthday Edition is finally here! Happy Birthday Glossybox! I was very excited about this months box and I was hoping for something special.

I got a selection of 7 items in total including a Glossybox compact mirror. There was also a birthday balloon :) The box itself is the classic powder pink colour, the tissue paper is printed with bows, cupcakes and makeup and tied with a cute ribbon. I really like the attention to detail when it comes to the packaging. It is very pretty, but it is all about the content and I need to admit- this months box was average. I liked everything I received, but it isn't anything special. I received much better boxes before.

Unfortunately I had to cancel my subscription :( credit cards need to be paid off etc... I hope I will be able to subscribe again in the future, I love the idea of beauty boxes!

 

CONTENTS:

1.Noble Isle Summer Rising Bath & Shower Gel-It smells lovely and fresh and is quite a good size. The full size costs £20 (sample worth £6) so it is an expensive shower gel that I wouldn't normally buy, but I am happy to try it and see if it is worth the price.

2.Eldora eyelashes- I already tried Eldora eyelashes and I loved them. The ones I got this time are covered with gold glitter, so not suitable for day time, but they would be perfect for a night out. They are very light weight and look natural. I just don't know if I will ever use them.

3.Osmo Berber Oil hair Treatment- I am very excited to try this. I have been using Argan Oil on my hair for the past 2 weeks and it really made a difference to my hair, so I am planning to get more hair oils soon. This one smells lovely  and is specially formulated to restore life, lustre and shine, the exclusive blend of oils includes the renowned Argan Oil which is rich in Vitamin E and a powerful anti-oxidant that provides intense nourishment to suffering hair.

4.Apivita Express Beauty Masks- I love face masks and I am always searching for a new miracle one :) I can't wait to try it. 

5.Lolita lempicka Si Lolita EDP and Lolita Lempicka EDP- I really like to get perfume samples in beauty boxes, as I usually stick to one perfume, so it's a nice change. I like both fragrances, but I wouldn't buy a full size.

6.Glossybox compact mirror- perfect handbag size, I will definitely use it.

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Liz Earle SuperSkin Concentrate Review + Cleanse & Polish offer and an amazing project

Hi everyone! Today I am reviewing another lovely Liz Earle product. This time it's from the Superskin range. It is the Superskin Concentrate roller-ball*. I have also got some very exciting news for you.

LIZ EARLE SUPERSKIN CONCENTRATE 10ml* £19.75 link

INFO: "The intense, aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils in this rich, restoring night-time treat is suitable for all skin types. It helps to soften dry or mature skin and balance combination or oily skin.

Use at night after cleansing and toning (but before moisturising). Naturally active ingredients include softening argan and organic rosehip oils, soothing neroli, lavender and chamomile essential oils plus antioxidant natural source vitamin E. Suitable for all skin types"

MY OPINION: I love using oils on my skin, especially on dry areas of my face. Since my cheeks became really dry and red for some unknown reason a couple of months ago, I have been looking for a facial oil that will help to combat this problem. I am currently using this concentrate at night time, 3-4 times a week along with a deeply hydrating moisturiser, after cleansing my face with Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (review here) and toning with Liz Earle Instant Boost Tonic (review here).

The concentrate smells absolutely amazing. Really strong herbal scent that will make you feel like you are in a SPA. If you are not a fan of very strong scents, it will probably be a bit too much for you. I love it and it makes my night time skin care routine extra special.

Since I started using this oil, the redness on my cheeks became less visible and my skin is starting to look more balanced. It helps to combat  and prevent breakouts and leaves my face looking radiant and fresh. I really like the roller-ball format. It makes the application easy and I only use the amount I actually need. I use it on a small area of my face, so this tiny bottle will last me for a couple of months. If you want to treat yourself to a very indulging oil, this one is perfect! The full size comes in a 28ml bottle with a pump and costs £40.25. You can also get 2ml of the concentrate for £5.75- great way to try it out, before you buy the full size.

CLEANSE AND POLISH OFFER

Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish is available at its original launch price of £9.50 (100ml plus two pure muslin cloths) instead of the normal price of £14.25! This offer starts today- Wednesday 23rd May and is available until Friday 25th May, or while stocks. If you want to stock up on this amazing product or you haven't tried it before and want to give it a go- now is the time!

LIZ EARLE CHARITY CAMPAIGN WITH PRINCE'S TRUST

Another exciting news. Liz Earle have teamed up with The Prince's Trust to mentor 26-year-old Rebecca Taylor from Doncaster to design a new Liz Earle product that will be sold in aid of The Prince's Trust- a charity that helps disadvantaged young people into jobs and training. The Prince's Trust have launched a new nationwide campaign called the Tomorrow campaign to inspire a generation facing record levels of youth unemployment. Liz Earle is joining other industry faces such as designers Zandra Rhodes and Wayne Hemingway and the iconic photographer Rankin to urge employers to recognise young people as tomorrow's industry leaders. Liz will mentor 26-year-old Rebecca Taylor, who was helped by The Prince's Trust and has a fantastic story of how she turned her life around. Rebecca was unemployed, homeless and pregnant when she came to The Prince's Trust for help to set up her own beauty salon, which she has turned into a successful business. Now, together with Liz, they are going to create an exciting new product for Liz Earle Beauty Co to raise money for The Trust. What an amazing project! I can't wait to see what the product's going to be!

*PR sample

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Essie Smooth Sailing Swatch

Here is the first swatch from my new Essie purchases. This shade is called Smooth Sailing.

I like the creamy formula. One coat looks a bit patchy, so I  needed two thin coats to get a lovely opaque finish.

I love this colour, it is a dusty blue shade, but purple at the same time with a little bit of shimmer to it. I am not an expert in describing colours, so here are the swatches.

NEW IN: Essie Minis in Braziliant, Super Bossa Nova and Smooth Sailing

I really wanted to try Essie nail polishes, but I am on a tight budget at the moment, so I checked ebay and found three lovely minis from this ebay seller. I will be adding posts with swatches very soon.

DIY: How to make a galaxy nail polish ring

I love to make jewellery and when I seen nail polish rings on etsy, I decided to make my own. I thought it will be fun to make a Galaxy inspired ring. Here is what you will need:

1.A flat clear gemstone ( I couldn't find a clear one, so I used a pink/peachy colour)
2.A ring base (available on ebay)
3.Nail polish of your choice: I used Essence Blue Addicted and Edward, DL Mermaids Dream
4.Superglue.

 

Unreal Tan review: Rapid Bronzing Mist, Body Buff and Body Silk

Hello everyone!
I am doing a series of fake tan reviews and today I would like to introduce you to a brand called Unreal. I have never heard about this brand, until lovely Elizabeth contacted me asking if I would like to review some of their products. I love trying new self-tan products, so I was very happy when I received Unreal bronzing mist, body buff and body  silk.

 Unreal Rapid Tan Bronzing Mist 150ml* £24.00 link

INFO: The latest in tanning technology Unreal Rapid Tan Bronzing Mist delivers an amazing natural looking colour without having to wear the colour guide all day/night.  This means after 2 hours you can go to the gym, go out to dinner and not wear it in bed worrying about rub off on your sheets. What does Unreal Rapid Tan Bronzing Mist offer? A fast tan in 2 - 4 hours. A realistic natural looking bronze colour (no orange tones). A long lasting tan which fades evenly. No fake tan smell. An exclusive hydrating skin conditioning formula with potent anti aging, skin firming properties. As if that isn't enough we also have powerful antioxidants of Green Tea Extract and Algae which give you a skin treatment all in one.  You choose the colour depth you want to achieve by showering off at 2 hours for a medium tan, 3 hours for a deeper tan and 4 hours* for a darker intense tan. * A light colour only is visible after 2 hours whilst the tan continues to develop up to 12 hours.

MY OPINION: I really like using fake tan in a spray or mist form. This one is a mist, that turns into a liquid in contact with skin, so I had to spray it onto my tanning mitt. I found it the most convenient and efficient way to use this product. It sinks into the skin right away and if you exfoliate before, there will be no streaking, no patching. It looks fabulous! The colour is quite dark, the longer you leave it on the darker it gets. You can see the difference on the pictures below. It doesn't look orange, it is a deep bronze shade that looks very natural. You can leave it on for about 2 hours to get a medium tan, or like me, leave it on for longer or overnight for a very dark tan.  The formula is packed with goodness to leave your skin soft and nourished and it really works. Most sprays would leave my legs really dry, this one leaves them soft to the touch. Like most new self-tan formulas, it doesn't come with the horrible fake tan smell that everybody hates. It fades evenly, especially if you use the Body Silk.
I really enjoyed using it and I will probably purchase more in the future, as a little goes a long way and the effect is amazing!

 

Body Buff Exfoliator 180ml* £12.61 link

INFO:Featured in More Magazine - Body Buff is the must have skin preparation product essential for preparing your skin before professional application or your own application of fake tanning products.  Not only that but Body Buff is becoming a cult product for those who want to keep their skin in "tip top condition" throughout the winter as well and not just for fake tanning.  It's fantastic hydrating properties keep the skin moisturised counteracting the drying effects of central heating.  It's gentle exfoliation allows you to use it on the face where it will help brighten facial skin by removing dead skin cells revealing younger skin cells beneath.  For fake tanning use it effectively sloughs off the dead skin cells leaving beautifully prepared skin which will allow your tan to fade more naturally and evenly giving longer lasting results. Contains micro poly beads to ensure gentle exfoliation without scratching the skin. Mango, Shea, Coconut butter whipped in shower gel base along with botanical extracts and amino acids effectively washes off without drying or stripping the skin. This unique pH balance formula allows you to exfoliate on the day of your spray tanning session as it washes off without leaving any residue on the skin. Helps to create smooth skin surface for even application of our Unreal sunless tanning products. Citrus fragrance from essential oils.

MY OPINION: Preparation is the key to a nice looking tan! If you love self-tan you already know, that exfoliating is a step that you can't skip! Body buff is a very creamy and gentle exfoliator. It smells lovely and citrusy. It removes dead skin cells and leaves my skin perfectly smooth and ready for fake tan application.  I use it with Soap & Glory exfoliating gloves to make my skin as smooth as possible, but you can use it with your hands or any exfoliating gloves.

 

Body Silk Moisturiser 180ml* £12.82 link

INFO: The Unreal Body Silk moisturiser is a naturally inspired, paraben free daily moisturiser lotion, which uses a combination of plant oils and rich butters to nourish the skin, plus plant extracts and amino acids, and vitamin E to fight against the daily environmental effect on our skin.Nurture and indulge your skin with our rich creamy quick absorbing lotion, made with exotic shea butter, nourishing jojoba and olive oil; infused with Milk Thistle Extract, Green Tea Extract and Oat Amino Acid, Rice Amino Acid and Soy Amino Acid for soft supple skin.Very hydrating formula for all skin types. Leaves skin feeling soft, supple, moisturized and refreshed. Citrus scent from essential oils.

MY OPINION: My first impression was- Wow! It smells amazing. I love anything with a green tea and citrus fragrance to it. It is packed with plant extracts and vitamin E. It leaves my skin perfectly moisturised and very soft. I use it every day after fake tan application to keep my skin looking lovely. If you moisturise every day the tan will fade gracefully and it won't go patchy.
I also use it on dry areas of my body (elbows, feet and knees) before I apply fake tan, to prevent them from going really really dark. You know what I am talking about, if you used self-tan before.

 

*PR samples