Nail gallery...naillery?

Recent nail adventures: 

Camouflage shorties / Love Gold Sailor Lettering / Underwater Green & Blue Leopard / 

Nude, Red & Black Chevrons / Neon Partial Leopard / Glossy Black Squared /

Gold, Black & White  Mix 'n' Match Stilettos / Pointed Love Hearts / Valentine's Sparkles

Some of my recent, free-hand nail art designs. As you can tell some of these are on false nails, and some are on my natural shorties. Some are better than others - it depends what was on TV at the time, Dexter or Breaking Bad equals messy nails! Next time I do a mani, I'll upload better pics and details of polishes used.

I am loving using Pinterest for nail art inspiration - my board is here: www.pinterest.com/fashionbandit/nail-it/

Make up bag overhaul

My make up bag has been an embarrassment for some time. Dirty, battered and filled with products I rarely use, I have been hunting for a replacement for more than a year!

I have had my old make up bag for many years, the cheeky monkey print is cute, but it was the boxy shape that originally drew me to it. I've found the style perfect for holding all my daily kit, and the wide opening also makes it easy to rummage through. I have struggled to replace it because I have been looking for one the same...but, you know, with a functioning zip.

When I popped in Primark the other day I spotted this beauty, which is not only the same shape as my original trusty bag o' tricks, but it is even bigger and has a mirror, which is a bonus. Oh, and it was only £5! I saw this as the perfect opportunity to clear out my make up collection and make sure my bag was filled with just my daily products.

I am rather fickle when it comes to make up products, but this is what I am currently using (as pictured);

• Eye liner: Bourjoius Liner Pinceau, £6.99. I have been using this eyeliner for a while and have been impressed by its neat application and staying power. With a thin brush it is easier to apply than many liquid eyeliners I have used before, and this one tube has lasted me months, with daily application.
• Foundations: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, £10.99. I bought this foundation after being impressed by the concealer of the same range. When my skin is fairly clear this is what I am currently using for day-wear, it has medium coverage and a nice light feel to it. However, when my skin has a major breakout, I want more coverage or I have a night out, I tend to use Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation, £27.50. With heavier coverage, it certainly conceals well, but it sometimes makes my face feel a little clogged and the counter didn't do a great job of colour matching me, so I have to make sure I bend well to avoid mask-face.
• Concealer: Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer, £7.49. I have been using this for a couple of years, and I am yet to find a price-matched alternative that does the job as well. It is by no-means perfect, but it conceals both blemishes and under-eye circles, better than most.
• Highlighter: Mac Strobe Liquid, £22.50. A small brush and the tiniest amount of this highlighter have served me well for years, needless to say, it is well worth the money.
• Mascara: Benefit They're Real Mascara, (I can't remember the price of this trial size but I think it was about £10). I had wanted to try this for a little while, so when I saw a trial size on offer in Boots I had to give it a whirl. I really like the brush, which gives minimum clumps and maximum separation. I wouldn't say I am fooling anyone into thinking my lashes are fake, but they do look pretty damn good.
• Eye Shadow: Clinique Colour Surge Eye Shadow Duo in Shimmer Almost Peach and Velvet Bewitched, (price unknown). I was bought this as a present years and years ago. I never used it as I never liked brown eye shadow....until I had my Alter Ego shoot. It opened my eyes, literally, to these shades. On clearing out some make up I found this unused, and since then I use it practically everyday. Almost Peach is a soft shimmery nude colour which serves as an excellent base eye colour, while the brown Bewitched colour blends in really nicely to give shape and depth. I don't think Clinique make this duo any more so I will be gutted when it runs out.
• Blush: Benefit Coralista Box of Powder, £23.50. A pretty coral and shimmering gold blush, this colour seems to suit any skin tone, even my pasty one, and it smells lush too.
• Pressed powder: Bourjois Healthy Balance Unifying Powder, £8.49. I bought this after the success of using the liquid foundation and concealer from the same collection. It isn't bad, but doesn't live up to its 10hr shine protection promise - so I am looking for a replacement - any suggestions?
• Bronzer: Bourjois Delice de Poudre Broning Powder, £6.99. I won this in a Bourjois Twitter competition, and although I don't usually go in for bronzer, I have been using this to give a bit of subtle colour to my neck and collarbone-area...and it smells like chocolate too!
• Eyebrow shaper: FashionistA Brow Kit, £7. I love this kit, and reviewed it in detail back in July last year, read the full review and see before and after pictures HERE.
• Kit: Bobbi Brown Raspberry Face Palette, (price unknown - around the £40-mark). I was lucky enough to be given this as a press sample back when it was launched in 2008, it remains in my daily make up kit as I often mix the raspberry blush with Coralista for a different look. I sometimes use the grey eyeshadow, 'Fog', as an alternative to the Clinique duo. I do love Bobbi Brown make up, by my budget rarely allows such fun!

So that is it - my daily make up kit. Currently a lot of Bourjois and a couple of Benefit, plus a few other brands, from the bargainous to the luxury. Anything here that you use? How is your make up bag organised? Any product recommendations?

February Round Up

Left to right, top to bottom:

1. Calorie counting with My Fitness Pal. I used this app and website last year and got on really well with it. You input your height, weight, age and activity levels, plus how much weight you want to lose, gain or if you want to keep your weight consistent. There is a website, as well as the app, which I use on Android. I particularly like using this on my phone as you can use your mobile's camera to scan bar-codes on food to quickly add it to your food diary. I am not attempting to use it to lose loads of weight - just be a bit healthier and trimmer in time for the wedding.

2. Poor little Boots was neutered, so that when she goes out in a week or so we don't end up with kittens. She wasn't too happy about being a cone head, but it is off now, so she is just concentrating on growing back the large amounts of fur they shaved off her belly!

3. Nail studs using the studding kit I got for Christmas - very simple, but I do like the effect.

4. I have just finished reading the first Dexter book by Jeff Lindsay. Here at Bandit HQ we are massive (read: obsessive) fans of the TV series, but I have to admit I didn't really enjoy the book, so will be sticking with the TV show.

5. Beautiful roses, just one of my Valentine's gifts from my man. I also got two pairs of awesome heart printed tights and chocs.

6. Vintage-style swirly hair for a cinema date - I might do a tutorial on this as I often get asked how I do it, I is much simpler than it looks.

7. Drippy mint and black nails, not my best effort, but I was a bit distracted watching telly when I was doing them!

8. Trying T-Zone's spot zapping stick with Manuka honey. I have used the regular version before, and I know Manuka honey has some amazing anti bacterial and healing properties, God knows my skin needs some help at the moment. I got this in Home Bargains, one of my favourite haunts for cheap beauty supplies.

9. We picked up our certification for marriage this week, and handed it over to the registrar. In fact we have had a very busy week sorting all sorts of wedding stuff, including flowers, catering and invitations  Although I have been feeling the wedding stress we are definitely getting there, and have made some noticeable progress this week.

Thanks for all the entries to my blog birthday competition - I will be drawing the winner and contacting them soon.

What has everyone else been getting up to?

The Story of Goldilocks

A totally different post today...but it is all for a good cause!

This is my friend Lizzie - she is lovely, isn't she? Look at all that fabulous hair, so long, so naturally fair, wouldn't you just kill for such a wonderful head of hair? Well Lizzie here is about to CHOP OFF all her amazing goldilocks, for charity.

The aforementioned charity is called Little Princess Trust, who make real hair wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatments. These wigs are provided free of charge, and I think it is important to mention that the charity provides wigs for both girls and boys, from age two-to-18.

Lizzie's donation to the charity intends to be two-fold, she will donate her hair to be sent off to make a wig for a child, but she is also trying to raise at least £350, which is the average it costs the charity to make a wig. I don't know about you, but I know people who have spent that much getting extensions so their hair can be as long as Lizzie's!

Here I asked her all the questions I had whirring round in my head after she told me about her plans...

FashionBandit: Why have you decided to donate your hair to charity?

Lizzie: "I have thought about it for a while, I think, I’m lucky enough to have really long hair – it is a luxury, that some people don’t have. The thought that a child is going through something that hard and I can do something to help. The opportunity to make a child’s life a bit better for something that is just vanity to me – it is like why wouldn’t you do it? Rather than why would I! I have this thing in my life where I want to help people and I feel you should do something to help people that are less fortunate. I don’t have loads of money to donate to charity, and an action is more important to me.

"It is also about exposing the vanity of people in my position, my age, it is all what they look like and how they present themselves – it is actually about the bigger picture. I don’t like to submit to the way society thinks I should look."

FB: Ahhh, but you do also love getting dressed up?

L: "I have two different sides to me – I love getting dressed up with fake tan, big heels. What I’m doing shows there is more to me. I like doing it (getting dressed up) because it is fun and I don’t do it that often, but there is more to life."

FB: Your hair is one of your (physically) defining features - so this must have been a tough decision?

L: "My dad called my hair one of my most valued assets, I’ve always had long hair. It is my shield, my safety blanket. It also dresses me up, it is my accessory, I don’t always wear loads of make-up but when I have my hair down – it is my ‘thing’. I’m fussy in what I do with it. I rarely let other people do my hair. I spent time on it – blow drying it, conditioning it, using products. I wear it down pretty much all the time.

FB: So how do you feel about the impending haircut, where you will loose at least 10 inches?

L: "I’m dreading it…I’m scared that I am not pretty enough to have short hair and I’m going to look like a boy. At the minute I don’t have to do much to it, I can wash and go, but I’m scared I’ve have to ‘style’ it or it will look like a mop on my head! I’ve got some celeb pictures, I just hope it suits me and I don’t hate it. I hope it will look effortlessly stylish. I think I’m deluded!"

 Lizzie's hair in motion - It would be rude not to!

 

Personally I think Lizzie is amazing, and her hairy adventure is very inspiring! Sadly my hair isn't long enough to donate to charity, but I'll certainly be supporting Lizzie. If you have also been inspired, please check out her fund raising site: www.justgiving.com/lizziebailes, and donate, even if it is just a small amount - to help Lizzie smash her £350 fund raising target! 

Lizzie will be going for the chop at the beginning of September and has already booked in with her local salon, Changes, in Stony Stratford Milton Keynes - who have kindly offered to do the deed, and restyle her short hair, free of charge. In September I'll make sure I photograph her freshly cut hair and report back on how her fund raising got on.

Would you ever donate your hair to charity? Have you ever done anything drastic to raise money?

 

Brow, By Definition

Morning all.

Today I thought I'd talk to you about eyebrows and my never ending quest for the perfect product to get them looking their best.

When I was in school I had a girl tell me 'you'd look quite pretty if you bothered plucking your eyebrows'. So I went home and destroyed them with a pair of tweezers. I over-plucked and was left with barely a thin line above each eye...my hideous excuse for eyebrows limped on for years, until I realised said girl (with equally pathetic eyebrows) was wrong and thick eyebrows were actually far more beautiful.

The problem I was left with, was that my hasty plucking has left me, even after years of growing, with uneven brows. So eyebrow pencils and powders have long been very handy. I feel defined brows really 'finish' my face and make me look 'done' - these days I don't feel like me without them! And, yes, they may verge on a 'scouse brow' occasionally, but that is just how I roll...

For the past couple of years I have been using Benefit's Brow Zings, which I love, but I've been on the hunt for a more purse friendly alternative. I came across the StyleBrows by FashionistA (RRP £5) in Superdrug at the weekend. FashionistA isn't a brand I've used before so I was interested to see what this little kit had to offer.

Kit includes:
x3 shades of brow colour
eye brow wax
mini tweezers
double ended brush

Packaging:
The packaging on this product is very neat , clean and simple, which I like. When the clear exterior sleeve is removed the case is matte black with black writing on it, in fact it reminds me of Benefit's Brow Zings' packaging.

The product:
At first I found this a bit tricky to apply, but I am going to put this down to the brush/applicator supplied, which I found was too soft to apply clean strokes. This is also the problem I have had with Benefit's Brow Zings, and I ended up using another brush from my collection, which is firmer and stubbier. Once using my trusty brush with the FashionistA Style Brows product, I found it fine to apply. The darkest colour in this palette isn't as dark as the Benefit one I have been using, but I think I actually prefer this shade. However the powder is a little firmer than I'm used to, which makes it less easy to apply. Like with any brow definer much of the finished result is down to the application technique, rather than the product itself...as you can see from my 'before' and 'after' shots I still haven't managed to get them perfectly symmetrical!

I really like the clear wax in the kit and have found this is best applied by dabbing a very small amount with a finger on to any potentially unruly areas. The tweezers, like all of this size, are a bit fiddly, but they do the job and would be handy for a quick tidy up.

Verdict:
In all I think this is a handy little kit that will last me some time, and although the colour isn't as soft and powdery as Benefit's, the finished result is very similar and the colour is more suited to me. For £5 this kit is also a bit of a bargain, and I know those tweezers will certainly come in handy when I am on holiday.

Do you use a brow definer? What is your favourite? Have you ever tried any other items from the FashionistA range & what do you think of them?

Totally Tropical Nail Art

I've got to admit, I'm pretty proud of my most recent foray into the world on nail art, my tropical leopard print design, you can see above. Previous attempts have included studs, flowers and transfers, lettering, clouds and leopard print. And to be honest, anything freehand, was a bit, a lot, on the messy side.

After drooling over amazing and creative nail art designs from the likes of WAH! and several sexy varnish blogs I decided to re-kindle my love for nail art. I've seen quite a few gradient nail varnish images recently, and was eager to give this a go. I also decided to invest in some Seche Vite, widely regarded as the best top coat in the world (am I exaggerating? I don't think so).

So if you like the above effect here is how I did it....

1. Base coat: Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat. After filing, cuticle tidying and cleaning, I applied this base coat. It seems to do the job well and after a few uses it still applies evenly and smoothly.
2. Main colour: Models Own Hedkani in Hedonist x 2 coats. I could probably have gotten away with one coat of this colour as it is highly pigmented, but I ended up doing a couple to make the edges as neat as possible.
3. Gradient colour: Models Own in Golden Peach. For the gradient I tried a couple of techniques but ended up painting a stripe of this Golden Peach colour along the tip of the nail, then, once it was dry I added some of the same colour to the corner of a sponge and lightly dabbed to blend the middle section of the nail.
4. Nail art: Models Own WAH Nail Art Pen in Black. I carefully, and rather slowly, used my nail art pen to draw on the leopard print design to all but my ring finger on both hands. Using the nail art pen again I drew the palm trees freehand.
5. Top coat: Seche Vite. Once the whole design was dry I added the top coat and sat very still while it dried...

(You may notice I also reversed the colour gradient on the ring finger, to make the palm tree stand out!)

My manicure lasted for five days before I got any chips, which I think, considering the number of coats of varnished used, is pretty good!

Although I spent quite a long time doing this, (to be fair I was multitasking, I was watching Pirates of the Caribbean at the same time and Johnny Depp is quite the distraction), I think it is the neatest and most professional looking nail art I have done to date. It has also inspired me to try some more designs - has anyone got any recommendations of other styles I can try?

What do you think of my nail art? What is your favourite design to paint on your nails - I'd love to know?

There was a girl, who had a little curl

Recently I have been trying my hand at pin curling. Beside the fact that pin curling is one of the best ways to create a retro-style hair-do there are also several other benefits to this hair-styling technique:  

♥ You can let hair dry naturally - so no heat damage from hairdryers, 

curling tongs or straighteners  

♥ You can prepare your hair before heading to bed, when you have time, 

and wake up with just ten minutes of 'fluffing' time needed for a gorgeous 'do  

♥ If done well, a pin curl set can last for a couple of days - 

making the time spend curling even more worth while

The pictures above are from my second ever pin curl set, which was a couple of weeks ago. As you can see the final result looked quite nice, if not perfect. The sets I have done since then just seem to be getting better and better, and I can do them quicker, so it is worth practicing.

You'll need:

• Hairgrips
• Hairspray
• A metal and plastic barrel brush
• A slumber net or silk head scarf

Method:

Start with damp hair, and take small sections and wrap them around a couple of fingers in whichever way you want your pin curl to go. I tend to curl mine towards the face either side, and downwards at the back (due to my slightly graduated bob, this seem to look best for me). You then place two hair grips in an 'x' formation over the curl, securing it to the head. Every tutorial I've read or watched has recommended using flat hairpins, not those with the wavy edge you normally use, but I have had real trouble finding any of these anywhere in more than a pack of ten, and you'll need quite a few. I have ended up just having to lump the wavy hair grips, which means I don't get a perfect curl as they can crimp the hair where they grip. At the front of the hair - your fringe if you have one - try placing some elevated curls (instead of pinning flat, pin it vertically) to give your fringe some height. When you have placed all your hair in your setting pattern spritz with some hair spray and pop on a slumber net or silk headscarf for sleeping in.

Yes, it is not the most comfortable night's sleep you'll ever have, but pain equals beauty and all that. In the morning you unpin your curls, run your fingers through and spray with more hairspray. Then use your metal and plastic barrel brush to brush your curls in the direction you'd like them to go, you can be quite rough with the curls and they will bounce back - part of the joy of pin curls! When you are happy with your look you may want to run a little serum over the hair if it looks dry and finish with...you guessed it, hairspray. Before pin curling you can also experiment using different products, such as gel and mousse to see what effect this has on your finished result. At the minute I have been using a curl enhancing mousse, before pin curling - which seems to give my finished look a bit more bounce.

On the second day of wearing your pin curls, brush again and try pinning sections back or incorporating a head scarf and you'll be able to make use of all your hard work for another day.

One of the tutorials I found really useful for pin curling was by an American lady called Aja aka VividMakeup on YouTube - so check out her videos for a range of techniques to get different 40s and 50s looks.

Have you ever pin curled before? Have any tips? If you haven't - is this a style you might try?

Precious Silver

Been a bit poorly the last couple of weeks - I'm so full of a cold and can't even remember the last time I had one before now, basically it means I have had a headache for nearly two weeks!

I've also been doing lots of wedding research (including venue viewings) and been working on my freelance business, I've been a busy bee.

For the past three months I've been using a new product that I was kindly sent for reviewing. I normally like to give products at least a two week test before writing about them, but due to my hectic diary, I've ended up using this for much, much longer. Although it means I should have blogged sooner, the benefit it that it has had a very thorough testing!

Cor Silver Soap is made especially for people with problematic skin, and is a cleanser and toner in one. It harnesses the anti-bacterial properties of silver, so is reportedly very effective at targeting acne, sun damage and even pigmentation problems.

How you use it: Wet your face and hands, gently rub your hand over the soap (place it back in the handy dish/box) then rub your hands together until you get a lurrrrverly foam, apply to face. Then just rinse off - and you'll see all your make up floating around the sink! You can leave it on for a bit longer to get a stronger boost of the ingredients.

Now, I have to admit, my skin is not noticeably different since I started using Cor's Silver Soap. I have about the same about of breakouts and the condition is also the same, which is fine. Having said that, although I've not noticed a big change in my skin (which wasn't bad to begin with), I do like the product. And here is why;
♥ It is eco friendly, as you can remove your make up (except eye-make up) in one step, no cotton wool or plastic bottles of cleanser and toner required.
♥ It is quick - great for when you just want to hop into bed - so is perfect for girlies adverse to a cleanse, tone, moisturise routine.
♥ A little goes a VERY long way. I was sent a 30g travel-sized sample - it was about the size of a golf ball - and after using it twice a day, every day, three months later, it is still going!
♥ It is perfect for travelling, the neat plastic box, which also serves as a stand, is much smaller than lugging around bottles of cleanser and toner.

In summary, Cor's travel-sized Silver Soap is perfect for quick, easy and hassle-free make-up removing and cleansing. It does its job very effectively and at £35 for 30g, which has lasted me more than three-months, I think it is also rather good value for money. If you want to find out more, you can here.

What do you think? Have you used Cor's Silver Soap before? How did you find it? What sort of cleanser do you use, and would you be tempted to try this one?

Testing, testing...win!

Hope you've all good weekends. Got something special on the blog today - because Sundays are good!

For the past month I've been testing a couple of products I was very kindly sent. The first is Trilogy Vital Mosturising cream SPF15 (RRP £24.50). I have quite sensitive skin that is rather prone to the old breakouts so I was interested in trying this skin that promises to lock in moisture and restore elasticity. The cream itself is incredibly rich and contains evening primrose oil and organic rosehip oil. Plus has SPF15, which, of course, is very good!

It is the sort of cream you can apply before going to bed and you wake up, still feeling like you have it on. For me, the cream is probably a little too rich to use on a daily basis, but it would be great if you suffer from very dry skin. After I've been on a night out, come home, and taken off my layers of make up, this is the perfect time for Trilogy to come to the rescue to rehydrate my knackered chops! On the website it suggests using one of the other moisturisers as a hydrating mask, applied in a 2mm layer, left for half an hour or so, then rinsed - I think this would work equally well with this product, I might try this next time I have a pamper sesh.

If you like the look of Trilogy you can check out their website here: trilogyproducts.com, where you can also learn more about brand founders, sisters Sarah & Catherine.

The other product I've been giving a thorough testing to, is Barefoot SOS Soothing Face and Body Wash (RRP £16). Reportedly a favourite of Frankie Sandford off The Saturdays, this wash is especially for very dry and sensitive skin. I suffer from eczema on my legs, and this time of year it is particularly bad, so I was hoping this might help.

This creamy formula contains jojoba and evening primrose oil (is there some sort of evening primrose oil revolution going on that I've missed?) which are meant to condition and soften skin, vitamin B5 and allantoin to maintain skin's moisture level, plus chickweed and burdock botanical extract to cool and soothe. 

One of the other, more obvious ingredients, is geranium and lemon tea tree essential oil, which smells amazing. Clean and bright, the smell is a gentle wake up and (perhaps weirdly) reminds me of citronella - which I quite like! I can't say I've noticed a massive difference from using this product on my face, but on my legs it certainly seems to have calmed down my eczema. Because Barefoot is really mild you might also notice it doesn't lather-up when mixed with water, which does mean you tend to use more per-use, than you probably would with most body washes. I really like the clean simple packaging too. I'd definitely recommend this product if you have sensitive skin, suffer from any dry skin conditions, or equally if you just fancy trying a more mild face and body wash.

Find out more about Barefoot SOS here: barefoot-botanicals.com.

Luckily for you I've got both the Barefoot SOS Soothing Face and Body Wash, worth £16, and also a Barefoot SOS Daily Rich Body Lotion, worth £22, to give away to one reader!

How to enter:

♥ You must follow this blog via Goggle Connect or Blog Lovin'

♥ Leave a comment below telling me you'd like to enter the competition

♥ For an extra entry Tweet:

  "I'm entering @Fashion_Bandit's Barefoot SOS competition to win some products. You can enter here: http://bit.ly/zeCI4f"

You've got seven days to enter - I'll be closing the competition Sunday 5th February 7pm.

Good luck all!

Beauty Fix: Smooth as Silk

Wow, what a couple of weeks. I have been snowed, thankfully in the non-literal sense, with work and home stuff. Today I have finally had time to sit down and tell you about Corn Silk, which I was sent to review!

The 1960s - just think The Beatles, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Mary Quant and Edie Sedgwick. I think the 60s was such a stylish era, and I can't see a better way to celebrate it that carrying around a Corn Silk compact in my bag.

Although the name is decidedly unsexy, everything else about this product is really stylish. I love the cute gold-detailed vintage-style case, and the fact that, unlike many pressed powders, it has a handy mirror. The powers that be have told me the Aimee Adams, who is a make up artist to likes of Fearne Cotton, Pixie Lott and even the X-Factor girls, uses Corn Silk. She said: "I recommend Corn Silk for getting make-up to stay in place and give you a flawless complexion...the only face powder I use on my famous faces!"

I was surprised to learn that Corn Silk only comes in one 'colour' - so although it looks peachy in the compact, it is actually translucent when applied - which saves spending 40 minutes in Boots trying 31 shades on various bits of your body.

Corn Silk has quite a 'classic' floral smell, in fact, it smells like something my grandmother would have worn. It might not be the most 21st Century scent, but I quite like it - it make be feel like a laydeee!

I found this powder left my face shine free for most of the day, and didn't clog up my pores, so no cakey-face here! Most of all I really really impressed by the price: (from) £7.40. At the same pricing level as most decent high-street brands, but with a superior quality  - I honestly think I've found a new favourite.

Corn Silk is available at Boots & other leading pharmacies.

Have you ever tried Corn Silk?

Could it be Magic?

Morning campers! 

I've had another manic week, they seem to follow each other at the minute, but I am using the extra hour allowed by good-old daylight savings, to do some blogging. In particular, to share a beauty review.

I like to believe in magic creams. In my heart of hearts I know a cream won't make me slim, rid me of cellulite altogether, or make me look 16 again, but still the promise of some sort of miracle is nice isn't it? I'm sure many women feel the same, after all, we keep buying.

So when I was asked by Elemis to test their pro-collage body cream from the gorgeous new sp@home range, I, of course, said yes. This anti-aging cream body cream has the aim of smoother, firmer and younger looking skin. But are these magic promises?

Elemis pro-collagen body cream

Here is what Elemis says: "Designed with lattice technology to help restore surface cell cohesion, promote intercellular communication and reinforce skin's natural moisturisation factor...a unique complex of Mexican skin tree, silk protein and amino acids with marine extract padina pavonica."

So because I am a hopeless-romantic when it comes to products I have so far tested this cream for over seven days, with my fingers crossed (not some new fangled application technique just metaphorically). Thanks to close to four years writing for a magazine where I looked after the beauty content, I have tested a fair amount of these magic creams, and not many of these proved to be all that magic.  Thankfully, (drum roll) I've fallen in love with this one...
 
Aside from the slick packaging - something you can always rely on with Elemis - this cream has a luxurious feel. It is incredibly light and instantly hydrates skin, (instantly hydrates sounds a bit like marketing-speak, but I really can't think of a better way to describe it!).

As you can see from the above photo, this is not one of those gloopy heavy creams - it is genuinely light, luxurious and hydrating all the way! You might also be able to see that there are tiny reflective particles, which when applied leaves a lovely light shimmer. Nothing too sparkly or in your face.

This cream includes three exotic oils, babassu, castanha and bilberry seed - which claim to help skin recover from environmental damage. Now for the magic - I have been slathering this cream on my most problematic area of my skin, my thighs. And I have noticed a big difference. The condition of my skin has improved, it is noticeably smoother, all my lumps and bumps seem to have disappeared. I can't promise my thighs are firmer, but they certainly feel a bit taughter, and it definitely isn't from any exercise.

I don't know if this Elemis pro-collagen body cream is magic, but I get the feeling it is about as close as we are going to get!

You can find out more about the product here, it is priced at £49.

Have you tried Elemis's pro-collagen body cream? Did you get good results? Any other magic creams worth a try?

Colour Rush!

Happy Wednesday evening greetings! I've been getting back into my nail polishes lately - perhaps it is an autumn thing for me, curling up in front of the TV painting my nails in the evening, nowadays accompanied by a cat on my lap too. So I recently treated myself to few new shades as some of my vast collection is in dire need of throwing out.

Good old Boots had a 'buy two get one free' offer on, so made the most of it and bough this lot...

L to R: Models Own Glden Peach, Models Own Wah Nail Art Pen, Models Own Mystic Mauve

I was attracted to these two shimmery Models Own shades because I've been really impressed with the super sparkly gold Models Own nail varnish I got earlier this year, and I thought these shades were also very different (albeit a little summery) from the others I own. The nail art pen I've wanted for ages so it was bit of a treat to finally pick one up.

L to R: No17 Supreme Shine Polish Mink, No17 Supreme Shine Spiced Plum,Rimmel 60 seconds Grey Matter

To completely utilise the offer I also got these three polishes as they were all a similar (and very cheap) price. These three shades are very autumnal so I'm imagining them with lots on my (yet-to-buy) A/W wardrobe. I've not used the No17 Supreme Shine polish before - but it boasts up to 10-day wear, which will be interesting to try out. I have a few of the Rimmel 60 second range of nail polishes - and all the others wear very well indeed, so that was quite a safe buy!

Sex and the City, New York Nail Bar, polishes and file

How cute is this little set? I was bought this as a leaving present from a friend when I finished at the magazines - I love that each of the girls have their own shade, so I think these will be fun to wear. Hard to see from this photo, but the polishes are quite opalescent so I'm hoping this will transfer once painted - we'll see.

Got some good posts lined up for over the next couple of weeks, including a gorgeous new product to test which will hopefully banish wobbly bits and a fabulous must-have A/W fashion item at a really bargainous price! Are you feeling in the autumn mood yet?

Bowl - Take Two!

Before (above) and after (below) my new hair stylings!

Hello there! I have had a rather hectic first week in my new job - I've got a rather long commute that is going to take some getting used to, but apart from that I'm enjoying my new role.

As it has been such a hectic week I haven't had time to upload the above photos of my new hair that I got done last week. It isn't a massive change - I'm trying to grow it dontchaknow! So I've had it cut into even more of a bowl shape as this allows me to keep the length but still retain a 'style' of sorts. Obviously I've had it coloured too - bye, bye roots. I've had a slightly creamier blonde put in this time, which I like but does mean I have to pile on the make up so I don't look like a ghost!

I hate having in-between length hair and was very close to having it cropped again, but I'm persevering, at least for the time being.

As for today - I'm off to the supermarket (so much for making the most of the good weather), then the cinema with James and a BBQ if it stays nice. Hope everyone else is enjoying the sunshine this weekend.
Tomorrow I've got some jewellery pics to post - and better than that - you can buy them too!

Just a Touch of Decoration

My excuses may be feeble - but at least they are true: I've spent the past  three weeks in house-buying turmoil. We were mean to move over Easter, then over the Royal Wedding/May day bank holiday weekend, then on Thursday, now? Who knows! - more of that in my next post.

In the meantime I believe I owe you some nail pictures...here are some recent 'nail jobs'.

Mine (left) and my mum's nails (right), I love just sticking jewels on the ring finger for a bit of bling, it is so quick and easy to do too, I'm all about the easy.

My sisters nails looked really cute with flowers on the ring finger as an alternative to stones. This picture makes her hand look really diddy, so before anyone comments about me painting small children's nails, she is 22.

I used the usual technique for this leopard print, I think the practice is paying off because this is definitely one of my better attempts. I went for classic leopard colours for a change as well, which make the effect even more convincing!

I used my nail tattoos seen in my last post, plus tried out my new dotting tool, needless to say should have done another coat of colour before applying, and need more practice with the polka dots!

Finally, a photo not take in the best of conditions, but you can see the polka dots getting a bit better. Forgot to clean up the cuticle area on the thumb before taking the photo - oops! Chose some bright spring colours for an Easter egg look!

What designs have you guys been trying? Got any other tips for easy stylish nails?