Monday 25 March 2013

Friday Favourites #6 - An Assortment of Finds


A very late Friday Favourites this is! I almost didn't post but I realised I found some cool things this week so it was worth a post!

Beauty. 
Oh RT stippling brush, you little champ you. I love this brush for foundation and now I love it for cream blushes! So many people have used it for this purpose but I was stubborn and just stuck to the Real Techniques' 'Expert Face Brush' because it seemed to make sense to. Because the Stila convertible colours are rather tacky, that brush tugged on my skin a bit much when applying so whilst I loved the blush the whole thing didn't sit with me and I never knew why. I finally cracked and experimented with the stippling brush and *doi!* why didn't I do it earlier!? It works a treat! Now I finally feel like I can enjoy cream blushes more and perhaps I'll pick more up...


Health.
I really recommend everyone to pick Swisse 'Super Greens' up or at least something similar to add to their diet. I add a teaspoon to juice and it makes me feel so healthy and light, and helps with bloating  (tmi?!). I often have an upset stomach and digestion problems but this has really helped with all that without any side effects.. you know what I mean ;)  Swisse is also a great brand that make organic vitamins and skincare, I picked up 2 backups this week, they were 40% off! 

Hygiene. (lol)
I've been really liking this PlusWhite 5 Minute whitening gel, it works! This is the first time using any bleachy ingredients on my teeth and I'm really starting to see a difference. *whoop whoop* I hate the teeth guard it comes with as it doesn't fit all my crooked teeth in there so they don't all look like one colour, but at least it's telling me that it works! I also haven't experienced any sensitivity which is great. It's not natural but I might get my teeth in shape first and then find some alternatives once I'm happy.

Home.
I starting loving home decor a few months back and am about to embark on a project for my wall. This LP is a bit of a clue to what that is. This is my first ever vinyl, I get so happy whenever I look at it.  I adore Gladys Knight (and the Pips!) and this LP has all my favourite songs on it. I know, I know, I'm the d-bag that is buying records without a record player but one day.. I promise I will get one. That would be awesome!

Lesson.
Honesty is the best policy. I was wretched for 2 whole days because I semi-tried to get away with something, hoping my boss wouldn't ever find out. I was so shaken that I knew I had to confess my albeit small, crime. He's not always the nicest person in the world so I thought it might be okay to do it once, but I know now I can't. I have always valued honesty, even if brutal, so it was really out of character for me to do something like that. I won't ever again! (And he didn't even give that much of a s@# in the end..)

Hope you have had a lovely week! I'm going to plan some more blog posts, I think that's the best way to keep on top of things!

x mai-anne
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Thursday 21 March 2013

A Little Tour of Balance Me | 'Beautiful Skin Collection'


Is this too many photos? I went a bit wild with the snapping since I was so happy with the lighting for once! 

This was a gorgeous little Christmas set I bought in the Boxing Day sales off Lookfantastic and I wish I bought the other set as well. These are really generous samples (especially when compared to the full size products) so I feel like I've been able to give a real go of these products and have an educated opinion on what I would actually go out and buy the full size.

Super Moisturising Body Wash
The first thing I noticed about a lot of these products were the scents. They all smelled a bit too tree-ish/herbally and this one is the most obvious. Some people may really take to the scent but I can't say I'm a fan. This body wash was nice but nothing special. It lathered okay, it left my skin feeling nourished and didn't attract any eczema flare ups. It was a bit too squeaky clean though so I'll finish it up and leave it at that.

Super Moisturising Hand Cream
This is definitely the star of the pack and one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this set up. At first I was slightly put off by the herbalish smell (seriously, I am dog-awful at scents. I would barely be able to tell you what I'm eating while I'm eating it) but honestly, after the second try I never thought about it again. I LOVE this hand cream. Like totally (heh heh). I didn't think a hand cream could wow me but alas I will eat my words and I think when the sad day comes that I finish this little 30ml tube, I'll be off to spend a scary £14.50 on a hand cream. Definitely a winter saviour.

Wonder Eye Cream
I really did wonder about this eye cream (sorry, couldn't help that) as I saw it pop up here and there on bloggers/vloggers I followed so I was curious. However it is not really what I'm looking for, the texture is just a bit too light for me and I feel the need to top it up with another eye cream. Might be good for those with non-desert skin like mine though. Kudos for such a big sample size, at 7mL that is almost half of its full size.

Radiance Face Oil
I quite liked this oil, it's definitely very hydrating, has a similar smell to the others but less strong and  is what I expect from a good oil. But that is actually where it falls short, at £30 for a full size, it should be exceeding my expectations as I don't see that it does much more than my beloved $12 argan oil. But it's also the sort of product that one should test out for a long time so I'll keep the door open for it..

So there you a go, a quick squizz through these products. The brand hasn't floored me but it's kept me hopeful and interested in its other products. Oh yeah, this brand is one of those good natural brands, with lovely ingredients, cruelty free and the material is made from 100% sustainable forests. Whoopee!

Do you have any recommendations for any of their other products? :)

x mai-anne
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Saturday 9 March 2013

Friday Favourites #4: Let Go

Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream

Beauty.
I didn't like this at first, but now I find myself excited to use it come bedtime. This is a very thick hand cream but it is not greasy and very moisturising. Its texture means that I use it only before I hop into bed but I know it'll save my hands.  I didn't like it at first because of the smell, but it is very slight and I don't feel like I smell it anymore. This was a sample from a Balance Me kit, and the retail is 14.50 pounds which is way more than I have ever spent on a hand cream but I just might this time (cue Game of Thrones - winter is coming).

Music.
Alicia Keys - How it Feels to Fly. Was having a tiny peruse of the shops today after work and this song came on. Don't you just love those moments when a song comes on and it just describes how you feel/who you are in that moment.  This song was never a favourite before, but I think it just became one :) 
If I could touch the sky, I'd risk the fall. Just to know how it feels to fly.



Misc Item.
I had a crap week last week and I picked up this candle on the weekend. The name won me, 'silver rain'. The description and image of something unpleasant made beautiful lit up my crappy mood. The smell is very slight but that's the way I like it. I might pick up a few more of these since it reminds me to stay positive when it isn't around me.

Lesson.
The biggest lesson I needed to learn, and for awhile now was, let go. I had been having awful and vivid dreams for awhile and it made me realise that while I thought I was fine, I was holding onto something that was impacting on me negatively.  I won't go into the details (and bore you) but I had that moment where I realised I just had to let it go. And that I could. I let go of what it was, how wronged I was, any notions of redemption and when I did, I was freed.  No more expectations of people who aren't worth it and feel okay to be open and hopeful to those who are and now, one day be. :)

Hope you've had a lovely week with an awesome one on the cards.

x mai-anne
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Sunday 3 March 2013

Friday Favourites #3: A Pretty Forgettable Week

Ugh. Glad this one is over. And now, how to write about it?  *think happy thoughts*



Beauty.
Ahh thinking about something pretty sure does perk me up! I've ignored this blush for awhile, since I used to death a while back but I'm crushing on it again.  It's on the orange side of life, but deeper and with coral hues and a touch of golden sparkles. I've been using bright peachy tones lately and suddenly longed for something of that sort but deeper and Springsheen filled that sudden void. I love it!

Highlight.
No joke but it's probably my mamma's chicken kebabs. yaaarm!

Music.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis' The Heist. I'm very late to catch onto them (I've been really out of the loop of current music) but it's been a long time since a new (ish) act has really rocked my world. I adore the production of the album and Macklemore's lyrics. "Same Love" is just, incredible. Songs don't tend to moisten my eyes but this song does. So powerful.




Lesson.
Since getting into makeup, Kevyn Aucoin's name is one that I've heard many times and yesterday I found myself watching videos about him. How he revolutionised the industry is such an incredible story but even more so is his life story. How he stayed himself despite where he was born and what industry he aspired to become a part of (or moreover, create) just strikes me. I spent so much of my life trying to be what my society told me was good and had no guts to be an individual, and my inner self wasn't anywhere near as in conflict to my surroundings as Kevyn was in his.  In this video, he stresses how important it is to be yourself, and that is the thing that makes him proud of himself, even next to his massive achievements. So when I don't feel strong about who I am, I think I'm always going to think of him, as corny balls as that sounds. And gosh, what a nice person he seems to be!

That's probably enough of this week, time to look forward now, it's the weekend! :)

How has your week been?

x mai-anne
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Friday 1 March 2013

autumn 2013 aspirations



While most of the world is about to do the spring clean, us down-underers are preparing for our version of the cold seasons. I'm excited for soft but deep hues in my makeup, with muted pastels, glowy skin, heavy neutral eyes and creamy blushers.  For clothing, I'm feelin' oversized jumpers, shirts, boyish shoes and more fitted trousers and of course my usual round of beanies and fun socks.

The Muses
Nars Luster  //  MAC Patina  //  Sheinside Jumper  // 100% Pure Lip and Cheek Tints  // Nars Sheer Glow  (finally have figured out my shade!)  // New Look Hearts Denim Shirt // Black Pants (lol)  //  Essie Winter 2011 Collection (they're 3 free now :D )  //  Chunky Boots from ebay

What are you looking forward to next season? :)
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