Travel Skincare and Make-up

I don't travel light. Not that I'm sure that comes as a surprise to anyone. But seriously, 20kg luggage allowance just isn't enough. However, this year I was determined to be well under the luggage allowance, packing only the bare essentials - the stuff that I reach for and use continually. You may think that going on holiday gives you the excuse to be brave and try something out of your comfort zone, or that you can't decide between which shade of red lipstick to take, so you'll just take all of them. No matter how much you promise yourself "I will wear this, I'll sleep with it on if I have to", in reality, you won't use it.

Save space and be strict. Keep a drawer of make-up and skincare that you use on a day-to-day basis over the course of a week or two. When packing, allow yourself only to take away with you what is in that drawer. These are products that work for you, that you feel comfortable in and love wearing. But yes, it's bloody hard to pick between those red lipsticks.

Here's my picks:

(Simple Kind To Skin Moisturiser, The Body Shop Unperfumed Eye Gel, The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-in Moisture Mask, The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil, Malin + Goetz Lipbalm, Garnier Ambre Solaire On-The-Go Face and Body, Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden Protect Factor 30, Sainsburys Cotton Buds, Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish, Muslin Cloth, Sainsburys Cotton Pads)

(L'oreal True Match Foundation, Maybelline Baby Skin, MAC Soft & Gentle, Nars Laguna Bronzer, MAC Immortal Flower Blush, MAC Stay Pretty Blush, Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer, YSL Touche Eclat, Bourjois Java Rice Powder, MAC Fluid Line Gel Eyeline, Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24 Hour, Benefit Brow Zings, Blink + Go Eyeshadow Palette, Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette, MAC Morange, MAC impassioned, MAC Sunny Seoul, Rimmel Kate Moss 107, Clear Mascara, Maybelline Master Smoky Eye Pencil, Soap & Glory Thick & Fast Mascara)

K

MAC Lipstick Collection

I'm the first to admit I have a problem. I shop - a lot. Online, in-store, and preferably on my own because I'm a little embarrassed by the rush of adrenaline that pulses through me every time I swipe my card. Now shoes get me weak at the knee's, and I'm having a little crush on shorts at the moment, but buying jewellery just doesn't interest me, unless they're in the sale - sales get me excited about anything. But the biggest weakness? Lipstick, and unnecessarily buying it in every colour imaginable - especially if they're from MAC.

So I've come here today because a problem shared is a problem halved, right? Maybe some of you have this problem and I won't feel so bad. Here's my growing collection of MAC lipsticks, bar 'Girl About Town' who currently M.I.A.

(From right-to-left, Impassioned Amplified, Sunny Seoul Cremesheen, Cremecup Cremesheen)

(From right-to-left, Russian Red Matte, Lady Danger Matte, Morange Amplified)

K 

(Lipstick-ers Annoymous)

My No7 Makeover Experience

Hello Dolls

Those who know me personally, know that usually when offered a make over I decline politely with 'sorry, I'm far too busy'. Those words almost strike fear into me. The number of times I have come out after someone doing my make-up looking a drag queen, I'd rather just not bother anymore. I'd rather not bother standing in a public bathroom scrubbing half the make-up off, praying that I won't see someone I know and actually, it ruins my day completely.

I know it sounds silly. So when No7 offered me a free make-over, hesitantly, I pulled up my big girls panties and booked myself in. No7 is known for enhancing natural beauty, surely they should be given a chance? And I'm so glad I did. The make-up artist was lovely and we had a right gossip the whole way through. She didn't make me look like a drag queen or treat me as if I wasn't important. She listened to me and what I wanted.

I think that's the problem, people don't listen anymore. They think they know best. Rather than thinking about what the costumer would suit and like, they say what they want, and they do what they want. But, hey, maybe that's a lesson for me, in the future I should be more forceful with what I want.

I took a few pictures of the finished look,

 

(Because it's better to look ugly on purpose than by accident, right?)

♥

Always leave a little sparkle wherever you go, Kay xo

Maybelline Colorsensational Vivids Lipsticks | Review

Maybelline, Colorsensational Vivids Lipsticks, £7.19

(Left-Right, 910 Shocking Coral, 902 Fuchsia Flash) 

(902 Fuchsia Flash)

(Left-Right, 910 Shocking Coral, 902 Fuchsia Flash)

First thing I have to say about these products? Wow. I could leave it at that really, but that wouldn’t make for a good review now, would it? These are bold, almost electric colours that are absolutely perfect for this Summer. In fact, the pictures don't even give the colours justice. If like me, you tend to wear a lot of dark colours, I find that a swipe of this across my lips just adds that pop that separates you from bordering on gothic. They have such a creamy consistency that makes it like heaven to apply. And the best thing? The colour lasts, like for a long time!

In the UK, these Lipsticks retail for £7.19. I have 2 in the collection, and I am defiantly interested in buying more. I like a statement, whether it be from red to bright pink, and usually I turn to MAC for these kinds of lipstick – heck, in general most of my lipsticks are from MAC. I happened to just pass these by coincidence and picked up a colour whilst Boots had a ‘buy one get one half price‘ deal. Am I pleased? Yes. I brought Shocking Coral (910) which is a bold pink/coral colour that turned out more orange on camera than intended, and also Fuchsia Flash (902), my personal favourite that is more of a purple/pink colour.

Positives,

They have a lasting finish. Perfect for summer. Almost half the price of MAC. And 902 is an almost exact dupe for ‘Candy Yum Yum’.

Downsides, (Because even the most perfect products must have some…)
Packaging. I find it cheap and tacky looking, it reminds me of products I used to get in magazines when I was 11. Reapplying. I find it a problem with a few lipsticks, when you go to reapply old product has dried and it starts to peal off when you apply a new layer. Eek!

Overall though, these are two of the best Lipsticks I've purchased this year and I know I will get a lot of use out of these. Especially for dull college days! So if you're looking for a statement this summer, why not try these for a change.

Until next time,

Kay xo