Review: Match Perfection Concealer - Rimmel London

When hunting to find a concealer which was affordable and also the correct tone for me I came across Rimmel London's 'Match Perfection Skin Tone Adapting Concealer'.

 

There aren't enough words to explain how much I love this product but I'm going to try and tell you anyway. For only around £6 in stores this is a bargain.

 

The tube design means that you can get every last drop out meaning it lasts longer and therefore your money goes further. It also has a brush at the end where it squeezes out, I like this as it means you can put it on your hand instead of spreading germs all across your face whilst trying to cover any blemishes or redness.

Here is a swatch of the '010 ivory' shade.

 



Left - before and Right - after

In the pictures above I have compared the before and after effect of this product. You can notice clearly the redness and colour imperfections around my eye and nose as well as a blemish on my chin have been covered up very well. I wouldn't say the coverage is heavy but definitely long wear.

 

Another great product from Rimmel and I strongly urge people to try this out for only £6.

 

What's your favourite concealer? Maybe you've tried this product out already? Let me know in the comments below.

 

Katie xox

Make-Up Organization - Spring Cleaning

So, with New Year gone and Spring around the corner, it's time to start the cleaning. Don't worry, I'm going to make a series of posts to help you along and motivate you every week. From wardrobe organization to general cleaning. Today, I'm going to show you how I organized my make-up very simply

First, I chucked out any products I don't use 'Yes, I know the Benefit mascara was really good and expensive but you never use it and it's dried up anyway' was often used.

Then I separated my everyday make-up from my extravagant makeup and cleared out a drawer especially for it.

I then used this plastic divider to put the products I use everyday in different sections (mascara, face and lips) and chucked the other products in a basket that I can rummage through I needs be.

 

For my brushes I simply got an empty marmalade jar and washed it out thoroughly so I could put all my brushes in. A nice little touch and if you have time you could decorate it too.


Hope you've enjoyed this post. Let me know if you have any cute ideas and keep an eye out for more organization posts.

Katie xox

Review: Ted Baker - Eyeshadow Palette

I received the 'Ted Baker - Can't Take My Eyes Off You' palette for Christmas and have really enjoyed using it for everyday looks for the past month.

At first sight, the packaging is slim, graceful and elegant. I'm not sure whether it's aimed at younger or older people but it definitely appeals to me and am sure it will appeal to all sorts of people.

 

 The palette comes with 8 different shades, ranging from browns to pinks to blues and greens, perfect for everyday use and maybe even a good starter kit for someone who is just getting into make-up?

All of the colours are really well pigmented but the brown/beiges are a bit lighter. However, I use these the most as they can blend to your desired intensity and are great for a smoky eye.

5 Swatches from the palette

Above, I have swatched 5 of the shades to show you how they turn up on the skin. Overall, a great beauty essential and every girl should have a palette like this.

Well done Ted Baker!

Katie xox

How to: Heart-warming Porridge with a Twist

In the Winter nothing is better than a nice warm bowl of porridge (especially if you live in England), before you walk out the door into the snow or crazy gale. This is my twist on a healthy breakfast. Porridge sets you up for the day ahead and lifts your mood. It could also be a great snack afternoon or evening.

To create my heart-warming porridge you need: Oats, Milk/Water, Sultanas, Sugar, Cinnamon and Ginger.

 

 

Personally, I use the supermarket's own brands of porridge oats simply because they are on the whole cheaper and better value for money.

 



 

I use milk in my porridge so that it has a creamy and smooth texture when it's cooked. But to add a bit of a kick I add a sprinkle of Cinnamon and Ginger. By doing this, it turns everyday porridge into something a bit more special with the same goodness.

 

After stirring it in, I add Sultanas for fruit but if you're making this in the Summer or Spring you might want to add Strawberries or Blueberries instead.

 When I wake up in the mornings I feel the need to accompany my breakfast with some sort of herbal tea and today, I picked Cranberry, Raspberry and Elderflower. The Twinings herbal teas are caffeine free and really relax you.

 

 

To finish off, sprinkle with a tad of sugar and eat. What could be better?

 

Thanks for reading. Let me know how you like to have your porridge down below.

 

Katie xox

Review: Nails Inc. London - Motcomb Street

About a month ago I bought a copy of Glamour with a free full size sample of the Nails. Inc. London nail varnish (normally in shops for around £10). I thought I'd test it out properly before I gave it any type of review. So after constantly having this on my nails, here it is.

 

 

This nail varnish is a dark navy colour/black (not shown too well from these photos). The first coat is normally a bit patchy and generally turns out as a deep blue. However, when this dries and a second coat is applied the true colour comes out and it evens out.

Sorry about the dodgy photos, they don't do it much justice.

Pictured above are my nails with two coats applied. I find that for me this stays on for about 3 days without chipping, but even then it is very resistant to chipping.

I would love to try some of the other shades from Nails. Inc. and see how they compare to this one. Overall, I would purchase this product again even though it is a bit pricey. The coverage and pigmentation is amazing!

Have you tried a nail varnish from this company?

Katie xox

Review: Rimmel London - 1000 Kisses Lip Tint + Balm

I always love having a bright colour on my lips as it gives me a huge boost of confidence for whatever I do that day. When I saw that there was a cheap drugstore lip tint available I jumped at the chance to try it out for a mere £5.99 from Boots.

 
 


 I've been using this (The Rimmel London - 1000 Kisses Lip Tint + Balm) for a good couple of months now and personally, I think it's an absolutely brilliant product but have heard mixed reviews throughout the internet.

You do have to make sure that the tint is dry before applying the balm, this means that the tint won't rub off on the balm side of the stick. For me, I can apply the product at 8 in the morning with a bright red finish but find it worn 4 hours later at about 12. Sometimes I apply another coat but for the majority of the time this isn't practical for me.

Overall, I am very happy with this product and it lives up to the 'transfer proof' guarantee most of the time. Great bargain!

Let me know in the comments if there's any other lip tints or products you would recommend me.

Katie xox

What's in my bag?

So after reading Victoria 's blog post (http://walkinyourownshoes.blogspot.co.uk/) about what's in her bag, I felt inspired to do my own. I am already obsessed with constantly scrolling through YouTube videos finding out what's in other people's bags. No idea why. I just am.

 

This is my bag, I normally carry this one around with me at weekends. I bought it from Primark about a year ago in the sale and although it may be a bit battered around the edges it isn't broken...yet.

 

 

So... inside my bag I carry a stupid amount of things I don't need:

 

Toothpaste - without a toothbrush pretty useless, but that doesn't seem like a good enough excuse

Carmex - the best lip balm on the planet

Keys - one of the useful items I carry with me

Headphones - in case I want to be unsociable

Sunglasses - 'in case'

Perfume sample, Hand cream - which I barely ever use

Pen

Impulse Very Pink- to smell good

Photo - I printed too many in Photography the other day and somehow it made its way into this bag

Thank you cards - should really give them to the people they're for

Diary - so I feel organised

Purse - obvious one

Company magazine - all about blogging may I add

and of course, my Phone.

 

 

Think that I need a good clear out as most of these, I don't even use.  This could be worse if I carried make-up with me though, but generally speaking I don't feel the need to touch-up throughout the day.

 

Hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it.

 

Leave me a comment with what you carry in your bag or maybe link me to your blog post?

 

Thank you, Katie xox

 

Step out of the January Blues

I recently found that quite a few friends and other people who are close to me (including myself) have caught the January blues and unfortunately there's no definite way to get rid of it. Before delving into this post I've done my research to see what other people on the internet have come up with.
 
  Most people say 'do some exercise' or 'try something new' etc. even if you don't enjoy it. However, I completely disagree with this advice. Yes, it may help in the short term but in the long term the reasons why you had such a hard time in January are going to come back around the next year.

 Here is my advice to beat the January blues forever:

1. Do what you enjoy - If you want to start a Blog, YouTube or  Spanish lesson, then do it. Don't worry what everyone else around you is saying because at the end of the day if you feel like you've achieved something and have enjoyed it in the process, who cares?

2. Set goals monthly or weekly - Some people may write a check-list daily to make them feel like they've had a productive day. However, the down side of this is if you miss something you feel awful and stress over it. So instead, write a list of goals for the upcoming month to keep you inspired all year. This way, if you're having an off day you won't feel guilty.

3. Look ahead - At the end of the day if you dwell on the past it can destroy the future. Buy yourself a new diary or calendar and circle important dates to look forward to.

4. Think positively - If you are optimistically, chances are, you will find life much more fulfilling. Remember that every cloud has a silver lining, even if it isn't for you.
 

 

  Katie xox