Brow Wow!

Brows have never been my thing. I over-plucked as a teenager but in recent years they've grown back a bit so I just leave them most of the time. Then I started seeing all these blog posts about Benefit Gimme Brow... all these wonderful reviews - "miracle product", "big brows in a flash", "couldn't be easier". So off I popped to Boots to have a little nosy and sure enough, there were these cute little tubes of seemingly magical brow gel. I tested the shades on the back of my hand and wanted to wait before making a decision so I left without buying a thing (I think I should get some sort of medal for that...). By that evening I was convinced that I needed Gimme Brow in my life so I went straight on the internet to order some. I went for the medium/dark shade to suit my colouring and lucky for me there was an online offer for extra points if I bought another Benefit product, so I stuck with my theme and ordered High Brow. I also ordered Burberry Brit Ryhthm - my review can be found here. 

I was ridiculously excited to try these products with my new love of blogging so I went a bit snap-happy getting every stage of the process!

Before Gimme Brow:

After Gimme Brow: what a difference!

At this stage I was already seriously impressed. So easy to use with instant results that you can adjust for high drama. You just press the brush gently into the hairs to disperse colour, then brush to shape and build texture. I carried on with High Brow, which in hindsight I probably should have applied first but I was too excited to use Gimme Brow!

Again, instant results. Complexion looks brighter, face looks sculpted and eyes are defined. I also used this product in the corner of my eyes to add extra pops of light. The linen pink shade is universally flattering.

I decided to carry on with the lightening and brightening theme to finish my look so I added Laura Mercier Illuminating Eye Colour in Pearl Fantasy...

... and finished with a slick of By Terry Baume de Rose limited edition shimmery lipgloss.

Voila! Brow wow and light, fresh make-up for a flattering spring day-time look.

(I also used Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturiser, Diorskin Nude Hydrating Concealer, Chanel Cream Blush and YSL Babydoll Mascara.)

Burberry Brit Rhythm

It's finally here! My beautiful new Burberry Brit Rhythm Eau de Toilette!

I've been dying to get my hands on it as soon as I saw the ad campaign with Cara Delavigne AND Kate Moss! When I read that the new fragrance would be a heady mix of lavender, pink peppercorn and neroli with berry and musk notes I knew it was perfect for me. Boy I wasn't wrong! I simply adore this scent. It's soft and feminine but with a super modern, designer punch. When I first sprayed this it instantly reminded me of my favourite Chanel No19 Poudre (floral) but as it settles it's much lighter and and very clean. How is it that some fragrances just ooze glamour? Like they were made to adorn the crystal shelves of Selfridges beauty department, and worn by women who were made to stride those very halls? This is definitely one of those. It reminds me of long shopping trips in London with my Mum where every counter smelled better than the next. The lavender is prominent but not harsh or soapy, and it has an almost vanilla-like creaminess to it that makes it easy to wear both day and night. I bought it as part of a small online Boots haul and got a free hand-bag sized roll-on too, bonus! Now I can top up when I'm on the go. Unfortunately this is not the longest lasting fragrance, and I have found that at least one top-up is needed throughout the day. The bottle is stunning though, with an embossed Burberry Pattern and a sturdy square lid. I will definitely be buying this again, and probably the body products to go with it. Very happy with my new perfume!

A Bit of Batiste

I'm going to the hairdresser today YAY! It has to be one of my absolute favourite things to do. A sleek beautiful boutique, full of sleek beautiful people using beautiful tools and products to make their beautiful customers even more fabulous. Plus magazines and coffee and gossip - some kind of heaven, right? Right. I'm off out with the girls tonight and want to look my best so my hair demands the expertise I could never achieve on my own. Unfortunately my appointment is not until tea time so I had to quickly do something about my mane to get me through til then. And all rise please as I reach for... Batiste Dry Shampoo!

The ultimate hair saviour product. The original and still the best. Dull, lank, greasy or flat hair is instantly boosted, refreshed and cleaned. It covers roots, it adds volume, texture and it now comes in an array of delicious fragrances. My choice is Tropical for the holiday coconut smell.

This is what my hair looked like when I got up... Greasy and flat.

So I sprayed this magical product all over the front of my hairline and along my parting and then, the important bit, really worked it into my scalp. Massage it in with your fingertips targeting any particularly greasy areas or the top layers that are going to be visible when you're done styling. Then give it a good brush out to get rid of any residue. Your hair should be left soft and shiny, not powdery. For me it's an easy ponytail and ta dah! Lovely fresh hair.

Amazing Arran Aromatics

Arran Aromatics is currently my number 1 favourite brand. I only recently discovered it whilst staying in a hotel at a family wedding - the bathroom goodies were from the Feel Good Formulas range and it was love at first sight! Once I opened the adorable, colourful little bottles and discovered the most beautiful fragrances  inside I was straight on the laptop to order some full size products. After a few good deliveries this is what my amazing top shelf looks like...

My first purchase (and still my fave!) was the Feel Good Formulas Lavender and Lemongrass Shampoo and Conditioner. Indulgent, creamy and super cleansing. Leaves hair soft, shiny and manageable and of course, smelling totally delicious! The shampoo has a light lather so it doesn't dry the hair out, and you can feel your clean hair squeaking through your fingers. Although the conditioner is a very light formula it instantly infuses into hair leaving it perfectly conditioned without any residue. I have really thick, curly hair and these products work well for me. The fragrance really does last too, even after drying and straightening. When your hair blows about in the breeze you get a lovely whoosh of fresh lavender. I redecorated my bathroom at the start of the year and went a bit crazy buying as many lavender scented products as I could get my hands on. I bought a big gift set from the Island Spa range and although it's quite a strong lavender scent, it sits softly on the skin without overwhelming. Spearmint notes add a freshness that's really uplifting.

The Citrus Shores range is my new Spring must have. I ordered the Long Weekender gift bag which contains Hair & Body Wash, Conditioner, Body Lotion and Enriching Soap all with a grapefruit fragrance. This has to be the most zingy, refreshing scent I've ever used in the shower! The Hair & Body wash is so lush even my hubby-to-be has started using it. Perfect for mornings to blast you into life. Another long lasting scent too - fresh, sweet, juicy - perfect for sunny spring days. The Body Lotion is light and smooth, but still nice and moisturising keeping skin soft all day. The soap is amazingly soft and moisturising. It has a creamy lather that works really well for a good massage while you're in the bath. Skin is left clean and soft, and never dried out. 

My must have from this brand for face has to be Feel Good Formulas Aloe Vera Facial Cleanser and Toner. I have used this product every single day since it arrived a couple of weeks ago and I'm completely hooked! A light, non-greasy formula effectively removes all traces of make-up and leaves skin tingly fresh, clean, clear and soft. This has been a lifesaver for me on busy work mornings and equally handy for late nights as one pump on a cotton pad is all you need. The fragrance is gentle but super uplifting and lingers throughout the day. I also use this product after other cleansers as an extra detoxifying layer before moisturiser. It's also really handy for clearing your nails of any grease and grime before applying polish. Love a multi-tasking product!

There are a whole load of delicious ranges to try so I ordered a mini miniatures haul to test them out. They last for ages and are such good value, which is great for me as I get to enjoy a different fragrance nearly every day! On tomorrow's hair menu is Eydis - lime, mandarin and bergamot. Yummy.

Spring MAC Haul

I've always been a massive fan of MAC, but I don't always get a chance to try out their newest ranges because they sell out so fast. I took the plunge this time though and ordered some goodies online (isn't a make-up delivery just the best?) and I was not disappointed!The new "A Fantasy of Flowers" really caught my eye (I'm a sucker for pretty pinks) so I went for Mineralize Blush in Azalea in the Afternoon - 

Classic MAC, sheer and buildable but with the added benefit of a rosy gold shimmer to highlight. This shade looks beautiful alone but works particularly well when used over a cream blush or tint eg. Benefit Posy Tint. Use high on the cheekbones and, following on from last spring's pulled together looks, dab a little on your eyelids too. Unbelievably flattering!

The other pink that really stood out for me was Saint Germain Nail Laquer. Pale pink nails are seriously in fashion right now and will be brightening up the closer to summer we get. This perfect polish is a great bridge colour to see you all the way to september! The creamy formula glides on really easily but a good two coats are needed to get a solid colour. Go for a matte top coat to keep your look fresh and modern. 

It's virtually impossible to visit MAC without buying a lipgloss! Lipglass is the original and the best, and to go with my new shimmery blush I've gone for Plushglass in Full for You. 

A beautiful, silver pearled rich pink that's sheer enough to wear as a subtle gloss or to vamp up your favourite pink lipstick. I actually love layering this over Dior Addict Lip Glow for a full, rosy finish. These glosses have the most amazing vanilla scent too, a total treat and highly addictive. The cute little tube with a soft, matte lid is so pretty you'll just want more and more!

My last MAC mineralize powder is right down to the bare metal and I fancied a change so I went for Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Light Plus. 

This is a super soft, light powder that gives great coverage whilst feeling light as a feather. It has added skin benefits to provide nourishment and comfort. It's creamier to the touch than other powders and blends to a totally flawless finish. Perfect for no-foundation days when you just want a little radiance booster. Use it on your t-zone to add a fresh light to your complexion. I use an old MAC highlighter brush which picks up just the right amount of product for sheer coverage.

So here is my look all pulled together!

xoxox

Beauty at Work

I'm sat in my company office with the dog waiting for a huge TNT wagon to arrive so I can load on 36 massive, flat-pack sofa beds. Normally I would be busy researching new products and fumbling through my tote to admire all my lip glosses, but I have to kind of concentrate on work so I'm resisting all these...

The phone has been ringing non-stop, the workshop is busy and my mind is full of appointments that need to be made and deadlines that need to be met so I'm feeling a little stressed. Plus I'm waiting for a text from Boots to say my package is ready for collection! Just ordered the new Burberry Brit Rhythm perfume, very excited. Watch this space for a full review and pics!

xoxox

Makeover!

Beauty Bubble is currently undergoing a makeover, so please bear with me while I get my head around it! I'm hoping to make my blog more interactive for all you beauty believers and lots of beautiful pictures will be coming soon!

If anyone has any tips or advice on how to make more blog a bit more sleek pleeease let me know!

xoxox