#149 - 2012 Favourites

I know I'm slightly behind on the getting the ol' favourites of last year up, as well as being generally behind on actual blogging. never mind, I have several posts lined up for the next week or so, (including an empties post later this week, oooh) so I should be back into some form of regular posting, hopefully. no promises there, I'm only human; a human that often gets distracted by delicious food and Supernatural, so sue me.

Anyway, I've divided it up into four categories so it's a little easier to digest.
Being the silly goose I am, I forgot to include any nail items, and I couldn't be fussed taking yet another photo. but nail favourites are OPI's Nail Envy and Maybelline's Stay Strong in Ceramic Blue. Nail Envy has helped my nails in a huge way; they aren't flaking or breaking as easily as they used to, and I can grow them all to a nice length without one snapping and letting the side down. And Ceramic Blue is a shade I discovered early last year and wore it as often as I possibly could. I love it, it has a brilliant formula and barely chips.

But, onto the other stuff, I had to narrow it right down so these are just, absolute favourites. Like, if I didn't have these items I'd probably be much more inclined to stay in bed than I already am. Hard to top, I know.
I'll just do a real quick reason why I love each item so I don't ramble on too much.

SKINCARE 

Good Things Five Minute Facial Mask - I use this at least once a week after giving my face a good scrub, and before using my Liquid Gold. This brightens my skin, reduces blemishes and makes my face look generally lovely. Highly recommend it, I've had it for about seven months and I think I'm only halfway through the tube.

Re-Gen Cream - This is a sneaky gem from Home Bargain (not sure if that's just a North-West store, or what?) it's a cheaper Bio Oil but in cream form. I smother my skin in this stuff and it's brilliant. It's reduced those little bumps I get on the backs of my arms, improved the skin on my thighs and helped the look of any scarring or stretchmarks.

S&G Flake Away - This is my go-to body scrub, I use it twice a week, it smells amazing and isn't too harsh on the skin. It leaves a slight oily film after you get out the shower, but I quite like that, means I don't spend as long moisturising.


Garnier Summerbody Gradual Tan - I hate fake tan, the smell, the patchiness, just everything. I'm also far too lazy to keep it up, so this is ideal for me; slap it on before bed each night and wake up looking like you've just come back from holiday. Easy peasy.

Alpha-H Liquid Gold - I had to get it after seeing nearly everyone raving about it, and I certainly did wince at the price (£30 back in March) but I'm glad I went for it. I only use it once, maybe twice a week before I go to bed, but it's helped my skin so much. It's brighter, all blemishes and any marks left by them disappear faster, I adore it. I only have about three applications left, but I'll be purchasing another very soon.

MAKE UP

 17 Va Va Voom Mascara in Black - I love this mascara, I refuse to buy anything high-end as this does exactly what I need; lengthens, plenty of volume, rarely clumps and it's waterproof which is perfect for me and my contact lenses.

Frat Boy Blush - I recieved this in a Glossybox/Carminebox/whateverbox last Spring and I shoved it in a drawer never to be seen again as I never used blush because I always thought I looked daft in it. I have only really been wearing this for the last five months or so, but now I've perfected the application it's something I reach for everyday. It is quite pigmented so you only need a slight amount on the brush and just blend it in well.

17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive - This is looking slightly worse for wear due to it nearly being finished, and the fact I was daft enough to take it with me on a girl's holiday to Turkey in '11. It probably melted as soon as I stepped off the plane. But this is still my everyday lipstick, it's just the right amount of colour.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - Don't need to say much about this, I love it, everyone and their cat loves it. Let's face it, it's a HG concealer. The End

Elf Powder Brush - I use this brush to apply foundation and it does so flawlessly. I adore this brush, it can do no wrong in my eyes.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Liner - Best eyeliner pencil I have tried, there was no way I was forking out for a Mac or Nars pencil, so Rimmel releasing this was a godsend.

 HAIRCARE

V05 Dry Shampoo - A good alternative to Batiste, not as chalky in your hair, doesn't leave white marks and smells nice. I got it in Superdrug a few weeks ago on offer for £1.89

Tresemme Split Remedy Masque - I use this once a week on the ends of my hair in the shower. I apply it and leave it on under a shower cap and rinse it off just before I get out. Makes my hair look and feel less damaged than it really is.

Samy Fat Hair Thickening Spray - I have fine hair, which is annoying but I can deal with it since finding this. It thickens my hair without making it crispy or greasy looking, and it actually makes curling it much easier and I find the style lasts a little longer than it would without this in my hair.

Tresemme Hairspray - Little fact of the day, I do not like Ellnet hairspray. The smell makes me gag and it doesn't do much for my hair. And the fact Cheryl Cole is the face of it is just another reason not to buy it. But Tresemme hairspray is the best for my hair, it holds for as long as I want it to, and I found the huge can in Home Bargain (again) for just £1.99, in comparison to Boots selling it for about a fiver. I always have a small can of it in my bag for any flyaways or frizz that rears its ugly head during the day.

 MISC.

Vivienne Westwood's Naughty Alice - Before I got this my favourite perfume was Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb, which is still is, but that's now my Spring/Summer perfume. But since getting this last Christmas this is my Autumn/Winter perfume, I just love it, I'm not going to describe it as I'll only butcher it, but it's gorgeous and a few sprays lasts hours.

Supernatural dvds - I have every season, it's one of my favourite shows, but my mum snagged me season seven for Christmas, which I was so delighted at. You just have to watch it, it's brilliant.

James Frey & Suzanne Collins - My two favourite authors of 2012, thier books are amazing, and I have chosen to re-read several of them in favour of reading from my pile of un-read books. Check them out, just do it.

What were your 2012 Favourites? Leave any blogposts/video links for me to have a nosey :)

#148 - NOTW

 Rimmel's Lycra Pro in 431 Stormy Skies, Models Own Ibiza Mix layered ontop

This has been one of my favourite nail combos for about a month now, I've found myself removing the chipped version, only to reapply it. I just love the dark gunmetal grey/deep greyish blue background, with the vibrant eye-catching glitter packed on top.

The Rimmel varnish applies like a dream; with a top coat like this I was able to get away with just one coat, but it was opaque enought to also wear alone, drying within minutes.
Ibiza Mix, unfortunately is a little troublesome in application. For me anyway.
Only because I feel there is much more clear varnish in the bottle than is necessary, if that makes sense?
So I often find myself having to layer it on quite thickly to get a good amount of glitter, meaning it takes much longer to dry than I would like. 
But what I tend to do is apply this before bed, so when I wake up it's completely dried.

 

What're you wearing on your nails this week?

#147 - Project 10 Pan/Current Empties

I apologise for the shoddy photo quality - there's been no light 

thanks to it raining & being grey all day, best I could do!

Figured I might as well do a little update on the ol' Project 10 Pan, or my current empties as everyone's calling it nowadays.
I used the above products up throughout September & October, did pretty well I think!

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 wash/mask - I mentioned this in my A/W Essentials post and I love it, brilliant for oily skin. There are two backups waiting in my drawer already, so yes I would repurchase.

Beverly Hills Whitening Toothpaste - Bought this in Home Bargain for 99p to use in conjunction with the whitening strips I've been using. Does a brilliant job for the price, I've again repurchased already, would really recommend!

Pearl Drops Hollywood Smile toothpaste - again a whitening toothpaste, bought it on offer to see if it was any good, it was okay. It did whiten but not as much as I thought it would have. I would repurchase but not right now

Bioderma Sebium - A staple in my make up removal process, just makes everything so much easier & means I'm spending less time faffing about when I could be in bed! I buy these in bulk on Ebay, two 250ml bottles for £12 is a steal in my eyes! I'll continue to purchase this for a very long time.

L'Oréal Elvive Triple Resist Leave-In Treatment - despite the mouthful of a name, this is quite a good product. You spray it on your roots and work it down your hair after washing, then blow dry, It makes my hair feel stronger and nourished. I would repurchase again.

V05 Miracle Concentrate - When I first bought this I thought it was a HG item, but then I recieved other similar products, which did the same if not better. So I'd only repurchase once I ran out of my other hair oils and serums, which won't be for a long, long time!

L'Oréal Super Liner Carbon Gloss - Again, another staple in my make up routine. It's my go-to liner, I adore it. My only qualm with it is that if it gets wet at all it just rubs off. I am a contact lense wearer so I have to make sure I put my lenses in before I do my make up. Which isn't that hard, so I would obviously repurchase again, & again

Rimmel Instant Tan in Medium - Another steal from Home Bargain - girls, if you use this stuff, get it from there not Boots, saves you a few quid! I love this product, but I much prefer the waterproof version, just because if you spill a drink or it rains after applying this you look awful, streaky legs galore! So I would buy it again, just in waterproof.

Clearasil Overnight Treatment - Not much to say on this, it worked on spots and redness really well, but not different to any other spot gels or treatments. I personally prefer the Origins Super Spot Remover, so I wouldn't be in any rush to repurchase this.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer - My HG concealer, I will never use another concealer, I am yet to find anything better, especially for the price! I'll always repurchase this bad boy.

What products have you used up lately?
Are you attempting to us up any excess products you have laying about? :)

#147 - Lately I've been...

running errands dressed all in blue/double denim | catching up on my magazines, I adore Sophia Vergara | eating far too much Chinese food, and having to take our mains home to eat in bed at midnight | studding my new leather jacket, wasn't a fan of the studs already on it | favouring Model's Own colours for the perfect A/W nail | taking too many photos of the gorgeous sunsets we've been having, I love having a velux window :) | spending my Sunday afternoon in bed watching Studio Ghibli movies | eating too many Angel Slices, damn Sainsburys and your cheap deals | trying to also eat more healthily | lighting all my candles as it gets darker much earlier | picked up my contact lense build up at Specsavers, think they gave me enough solution... | loving 3/4 length sleeve tops, cosy tights & a flowy skirt, ala Miss Deschanel

etc:
- It's my birthday on Thursday, and I'm seriously excited. As I get older I obviously don't get as giddy, but I think it's because this will be the first time in about six months that myself and all of my friends, I mean all of them, will be gathered together. Really can't wait to go out and see everyone!
- I've been recently introduced to The XX, and I can safely say I'm a fool for only just bothering to listen to them. They're currently the band I listen to in the evening/night while I chill out. My favourite song right now is Angels, absolutely gorgeous song.
If anyone has any similar bands to recommend me, let me know! :)

What have you been upto this week? :)

#146 - Autumn/Winter Essentials

I'm definitely no expert on skin/haircare, but I thought I'd stick my two cents in on the matter anyway since Autmn has definitely arrived! There was such a nip in the air when I went out this morning, but it gives me an excuse to don my mittens & super cosy tights. 

These are just what I personally find help me get through the colder months, as my skin & hair attempt to adapt to both the freezing cold weather outside and then the suddent blasting heat inside shops, homes etc.

Palmers Cocoa Butter No. 7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2-in-1 Wash & Mask Inecto Pure Coconut Hydrating Hair Repair Treatment St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub Soap & Glory Hand Food Monu Moisture Rich Collagen Cream Tresemme Split Mend Intense Recovery Masque

 
- I much prefer the lotion to the other formula in the tub; I hate having to scrape it out, getting under my nails, warm it in my hands. I feel this applies & sinks into my skin much better than any other moisturiser I've tried so far. Basically it's a brilliant thick moisturiser, perfect!

- A lovely friend gave me a sample of the Liz Earl cleanser to try, & I just did not get on wit it; whether my skin reacted badly to the ingredients or the scent, or whatever, but my skin just got worse. I persevered for three months with it, but sadly it did nothing. When I went back to this my skin cleared up right away, so I am sticking to this. Plus it's a bargain when you use those No7 vouchers, although I heard they're now for a lesser value, sucks if that's true.

- I've used the Neutrogena 2-in-1 on & off for some years now, but when I saw Sammi at Beauty Crush rave about how amazing it is & the wonders it's done for her skin by using it regularly, I decided to give it a proper go. Using it each morning & night, swapping it for Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It every Wednesday night for a more intense cleanse.
I can safely say this has become a HG item for my skin. I'm combination-oily (but more on the oily side) & this has helped get rid of & keep spots at bay, as well as mattifying my skin; it genuinely looks the best it has in over a year!

- I've used St Ives for about eight years now, my mum's always used it and she has fantastic skin. I always compare other facial scrubs to this and so far they haven't come close as far as I'm concerned.

- Not much to say about Hand Food; it really is a great hand cream, but it was honestly the first one I found. Any decent hand cream will do the trick, as long as it doesn't take too long to sink in; greasy hands are the worst.

- I got this full-sized sample of Monu in a Glossybox a while back and I adore it. It's a thick cream that sinks in so quickly, making my night-time skin routine an absolute doddle. I wake up and my skin looks plump, and healthy. I was hesistant to buy it again once it runs out, but Feelunique have it for just £16 so I may have to pick one up when this runs out, I've had this tube for about six months & it's still going strong despite me using it every night.

- The Tresemme masque & Inecto coconut treatment are absolute saviours for my hair any time of the year, but especially in the A/W. I have fine hair that tends to frizz in humid/changing temperatures so I need something that will help keep it as calm as possible.
I use both once a week to keep my hair looking remotely sleek & make it look quite healthy. Both are relatively cheap too & will last for a while depending on how often they're used.

Hopefully this has interested someone, and if anyone wants any more information on how I've gotten on with a certain product or anything at all, please comment or send me a Tweet :)

Has anyone got any products they always reach for in the colder months? :)

#145 - NOTW

Yep, I am an awful blogger, yadda yadda. Basically life got in the way, and I just didn't find the time to blog over the last month or so. But I have several posts lined up over the next couple of weeks, and a few ideas that I'll build on, see what happens. I've written up a vague "schedule" of when and what I can realistically post. It probably sounds quite lame having done that, but I am such a procrastinator, so f I don't have something like that I just won't end up doing it, and that's no fun is it?

So starting off lightly with a quick NOTW (admittedly from three weeks ago, oops) but this has fast become one of my favourite shades for A/W.


 




It's a thick, creamy off white/cement/super pale green shade, opaque in two coats and dried really quickly. 
It lasted on me about four days without chipping at all, and that's with using the OPI Rapidry topcoat - my new found favourite.

I would apologise for the state my fingers are in in that last photo, but my basket of fucks is empty I'm afraid. I prefer to let it come off itself, which it usually does by the end of the first day.

I'll be back Wednesday with a little updated photo post and some details about what I've been up to, if it's of any interest that is. I've been making cakes and watching lots of Breaking Bad! Oh my god, I love Breaking Bad. and food. Nothing much has changed really.

#144 - week in photos

finally printed off photos from my holiday in Turkey last year! | Cocktails & nachos outfit downloaded every WWE PPV in '01 & spent this weekend watching them | my mum got mini bottles of ice tea from somewhere | day trip to Ikea! my outfit | Hope playing in children's 

tents | toffee & cinnamon ice cream (admittadly not from Ikea) | Ikea food, amazing!
got round to watching Dexter, I'm hooked | reliving the hilarity that is Green Wing
my Spiderman mug I got free at Odeon; the spider's black but goes red when it's hot
sneaky night out in Popworld

Had quite a lazy week, but somehow I've got a lot done. Spent about five hours in Ikea playing House & hunting down the mirror I've been after; we also might've gotten hot dogs & milkshake after tea for the car ride home...
I've also got a couple of job interviews and some other interesting things in the pipeline for this upcoming week. I'm also going to find a good spot to take some proper outfit photos so I can get back into the swing of doing them :)

What've you been upto lately? :)