These days are fast.: Beauty

Showing posts with label Beauty. Show all posts

Thursday, 20 November 2014

NOTD: Nails Inc - Wigmore Street

How gorgeous is this colour?

This polish was one of four that came free with this month's Glamour Magazine and I am ridiculously glad that I went back to the shops to pick it up.

This is a stunning deep purple shade which is absolutely perfect for the Autumn/Winter season. Slightly deeper than Cadbury purple? I honestly can't believe that I haven't owned a colour like this before. Perfection.

This is exactly the colour I like to wear in the winter. Nice and dark yet light enough to show it's true colour. Love it.

Have you picked up this colour yet?

Love Ashleigh x

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

You Beauty Discovery Box #1

So I signed up for the YouBeauty Discovery box. For only £6.95 per month and you choose the two main items, I couldn't resist!

I picked the Green People Eyeliner in Forest Brown and a Bourjois Cream Blush. The eyeliner normally costs a whopping £10.95! (The only eyeliner I have spent more on is a Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner!) The Bourjois cream blush retails for £7.99 in Boots, so this box is already a bargain!

In addition to these items, the box included two Merumaya samples and a sachet of Aduna Baoab Superfruit Powder, all of which I am interested in trying!

I am such a massive fan of this box already! It is great to be able to use everything in a subscription box!

Let me know what you think of my box in the comments below!

Ashleigh x

Friday, 12 September 2014

Five Friday Favourites: Blogs I love

Hi guys!

Once again, another week and I have only just had a chance to sit and blog. Typical.

Never mind, here are my five favourite blogs that I can't get enough of!

MakeupSavvy - Makeup And Beauty Blog

I love makeupsavvy.co.uk. Fee is so funny and her blog posts are great. Her pictures always entice me in and I can't help but buy a lot of the products she mentions! Plus she loves a bargain which is right up my street!

Argh. The Londoner. Rose is just so beautiful, travels amazing places and eats a lot of burgers. Girl crush? Possibly. So much love for this lady.

Now let me warn you. This girl is mega talented and mega obsessed with Disney! Kayleigh's makeup is gorgeous and her reviews are so honest. I always get excited when I see Blog of Shadows posts on my Bloglovin feed as I love seeing her creativity!

MissBudgetBeauty

Now most beauty bloggers will know of Miss Budget Beauty! I love how her posts are honest; if she doesn't like something, she will say that she doesn't like it, which is exactly what is needed. No fannying around. I can't be arsed with that.
Midnight Violets || UK MakeUp & Beauty Blog

Midnight Violets || UK MakeUp & Beauty Blog

Oh my, so many purchases, all down to this blog. But dang it, Hannah from Midnight Violets is such a lovely lady and her posts are great. Once again, very honest and isn't one to shy away if a product isn't great. I love how she weighs up the positives and negatives at the end of the post.

Who are your favourite bloggers? Let me know in the comments!

Ashleigh x

Friday, 29 August 2014

Five Friday Favourites: Nail Varnishes

Hi everyone, welcome to my new blog series: Five Friday Favourites!

This week it is nail varnishes. I usually wear purples, bright pinks, bronzes and reds, so here are my top five from my collection!

1. Leighton Denny - Gorgeous Grape

2. Natural Collection - Hibiscus - NOTD HERE

3. Models Own - Bronze Rage - NOTD HERE

4. Rimmel London - Rapid Ruby

5. Maxfactor Glossfinity - Midnight Bronze

The Leighton Denny formula is just amazing, it provides flawless nails so easily. Slightly pricey so I normally find the polishes in the sale. Hibiscus by Natural Collection is my perfect pink shade and is a great formula for a low price. I absolutely adore this shade by Models Own, my only issue is how the lids can separate from the brush?! I would highly recommend Rimmel London polishes - the brush size is huge! It makes painting so much quicker and efficient, plus I love a red nail - I am rocking this shade right now! Finally, Maxfactor Midnight Bronze has constantly been on my toes this summer, it is a great formula, pretty colour and a pretty decent price.

What are your favourite nail varnish shades? Let me know in the comments!

Ashleigh x

Monday, 25 August 2014

FOTD: Warpaint.

Some people call it make-up.

I call it warpaint.

Especially after all the rubbish stuff going on, I am tired of people saying I look "tired" or "ill."

So I wore a smokey eye to work. Of course.

Base: No.7 Stay Perfect Primer, No.7 Stay Perfect Foundation (Calico), Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder (Sand), No.7 Blush (honey)

Concealer: No.7 Matchmade Concealer (Calico), Maybelline The Eraser Eye (Light)

Eyes: MUA Smokin Palette, Kiko Eye Pencil (Shade 8), Barry M Lash Modelling Mascara

Lips: Rimmel London Kate Lipstick (08)

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Wella Alchemy Treatment at Reading College

Once a month, I like to treat myself.

I make sure I have a late shift at work so that I can relax at Reading College's Graduate Salon and have an alchemy treatment.

After a drink and a consultation, my hair is washed, then the treatments are applied...

After sitting under the steamer for 10 minutes, I was walked to the sinks for a gorgeous head massage. This is where I don't talk much...I become dozy and sleepy! This bit is vital for me as I suffer from psoriasis so this bit really helps to soften my scalp and ease the itchiness. (BLEURGHH)

From there, the products are rinsed from my hair. The alchemy treatment comes with a rough dry as standard but I like to pay extra for a blow dry to get extra sleek locks!

I always look forward to having my treatment once a month. My hair feels nourished and soft for days after the treatment. I have noticed that due to having the treatment regularly, I do not have as many split ends which is fab! For £6, the treatment is a BARGAIN.

I would highly recommend checking out your local college to see if they have a beauty and hair salon. I've now found part of my regular routine now and I love it!

(Photos taken from The Graduate Salon's Facebook Page)

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

FOTD: Favourite Autumn Lipsticks

Sat at my desk, staring out the window, looking past the Construction Contracts book on my desk, it occurred to me how Autumn is most definitely here now and it must be acceptable for me to use one my favourite lipstick in the daytime now?!

I have kept my face pretty simple today as I was running late for my lecture. The products I used were:

Collection lasting Perfection Concealer in shade 1 fair

No7 Beautifully Matte Mousse in Cool Ivory

No7 Creme Touch Face Powder in Honey Milk

No7 Coral Flush blusher

No7 Honey blusher

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in on and on bronze

Avon Super Drama Mascara in black

No7 Moisture Drench lipstick in Plum Beautiful

I ADORE this lipstick, especially on nights out or as a "quick, need to dress my face up ASAP." I wouldn't say it is a plum colour as it is quite red-toned, yet it is buildable. One coat gives a fresh, redder lip, then a few more gives a bold, deep red lip. I also have a bit of an attachment to this lipstick. Any of you ladies had a shopping trip based on heartbreak? Yeah this is one of those. I wore it a few days ago and a drunk male friend of mine stumbled up to me and said, "You have red lipstick. I respect a girl that wears red lipstick."

Erm...cheers?

Sorry I have been away for so long guys but I am hoping to be back now. Just needed a few weeks to myself, you know? My posts probably won't be as regular as before as I have a lot of work to do but keep an eye on my YouTube channel as I have some new videos coming up!

What's your favourite Autumn lipstick shade?

And it was New York, New York...

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Kiko Haul

Hey everyone!

A slightly lazier post from me today I'm afraid, time seems to have left me since I got to university!

My Mum and her partner went to Italy to a wedding and returned with a lovely bag of Kiko goodies for me! Here's my haul video, hope you like it!

Let me know in the comments if there's anything you would like to see a full review on!

I should have drove all night,

Would have drove all night,

I was misunderstood.

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Body Shop Born Lippy

Here we have an EXCELLENT freebie.

You know how VoucherCodes have been giving away Body Shop hand creams? Well the last offer was these Born Lippy lip balms.

After finding myself spending an obscene amount of money, (check out my haul video below?!) I traded in my voucher and picked out a lip balm from what was left. I decided on strawberry. God knows why. I hate strawberry scents. Especially from The Body Shop.

Well that's what I thought.

Body Shop must have grown up. Gone are the sickly sweet, artificial scents. Replaced with a slightly more believable scent. Okay, this lippy does smell a lot like Chewits...in a good way though!

Team that with a lot of moisturising and the ability to be used as an overnight balm too...I am SOLD. Honestly, I will happily repurchase this, especially for £3.Pomegranate, pink berry, lychee, toffee, plum...I'll be collecting them all. Move over Baby Lips...

It's cool for cats...

Thursday, 26 September 2013

Poundland Finds: Derma V10 Cocoa Butter Lotion

Honestly, I don't know what possessed me to buy this.

Was it the sweet yet slightly bitter scent? The fact that I was running low on moisturiser? The fact that it was a pound?

Yes, possibly all of the above. However I am glad I bought this. It melts into your skin, ideal for just before bed moisturising sessions.

Okay, there are plenty of moisturisers that I rate higher than this one. The Garnier ones are amazing. Yet, if it all came down to price, I would clearly pick the Derma V10 one. You get a lot for your money and the way that it melts, means a small amount goes quite far. This bottle has lasted a really long time.

Put it this way, you're not paying for packaging either.

I'm not saying that I would rush in for another bottle anytime soon but if my budget gets cut substantially, I know what I will pick!

And for a moment everything is alright.

Friday, 6 September 2013

August Empties

Oh my, I have been busy this month!

Facial Skincare

I've been trying out some old sachets of Avon skincare products recently. I'm not overly fussed by the Anew Reversalist Day and Night creams, however the Renewal Serum is pretty good. The Rejuvenate Flash Facial is becoming a firm favourite, it's just a shame that it has been discontinued. The Clinical Eye Lift Pro is excellent, I really want to buy it.

There's also a few Nivea samples here too. I wouldn't buy them myself but they are good when your skin really needs some moisture.

The Biore pore strips are fab, but I would recommend picking up the ultra ones, as they really a lot more effective.

I won't be buying the B Pure Micellar Water again, it's not really worth the money and I haven't really reached for it like I used to.

Make Up

This FCUK mascara came with a set at Christmas. The brush is too big & bristly, the formula is too wet and it smells ATROCIOUS. It did horrific things to my lashes!

The Maxfactor Face Finity foundation was fantastic coverage, although it's a lot heavier than I need...although shade natural? I don't think so. It oxided immediately and turned me the redder shade of terracotta!

The Sally Hansen Double Duty varnish is great, although now it is half empty, it has turned gloopy and less effective. I have now replaced it.

The No7 Tinted Moisturiser is not really my colour, but I would be tempted to buy the lighter shade. I reviewed this here.

Perfume

I am sad to finish this perfume. My ex always bought this for me and I love the scent. However I have replaced it now. Maybe one day I will get it again...I dunno.

Bath products

I got this little bottle of Champneys bubble bath in a treats set from Boots. This smells AMAZING and is oh so relaxing!

Bath products

Soap & Glory's Righteous Butter is my ultimate treat product. My Mum doesn't like the scent of this product so when she is not around, I get to use it!

This L'Occitane honey hand cream is fab and I am gutted that I have finished it. I reviewed it here.

Never have I enjoyed a moisturiser so much. this Sanctuary Spa Body Moisture Spray smells amazing and sinks in fast. It's a lazy day moisturiser, perfect for me!

Misc.

A couple of cans of deodorant and some cotton wool; not that interesting. Also a couple of tubes of cheap shower products...I use these for cleaning my make up brushes with.

Honestly, I can't believe how many products I seem to have gone through this month!

Has anyone else had a mad month for empties?

Oh, don't forget that I am having a 50 Follower Giveaway too!

Mystify,

Mystify me.

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

50 Follower Giveaway!

What a milestone! For some it is nothing, but it's amazing to think that so many people have subscribed to MY little blog!

My mini celebration should be for everyone of course so I figured a giveaway would be fun!

Not only that, since I started buying a few bits for the giveaway, my followers increased to 61...crazy!

Recently I also faced something that scared me and I have overcome it. I don't want to go into too much detail but I feel much better for it.

So to celebrate, one lucky winner will receive all of these goodies...they are all of my favourite things or are by my favourite brands.

ArtDeco Eye Brow Color Pen in shade 3

Aussie 1 Minute Miracle Deep Conditioner sachet (here's my review of a similar one)

Montagne Jeunesse Shine Control Face Mask

MUA Shimmer Kisses Blusher

St Ives Apricot Scrub (my review!)

No.7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eyes Pencil in Blackest

Body Shop Born Lippy lipbalm in Satsuma Shimmer

I am most excited about the No7 eye pencil...the colour is a shimmery dark grey/black and is fab for an instant defined line. My holy grail eyeliner!

The Shimmer Kisses blush is my lazy day blush. It's difficult to overload your cheeks with it and it saves putting on a highlight too.

I also ADORE hair masques so naturally I had to include one!

So to enter, fill in as many of the boxes as you like below! This giveaway is UK only. There may also be a few bonus goodies in the prize too. ;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

She is electric, can I be electric too?

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

No.7 Triple Protection Tinted Moisturiser

Clearly squeezed every last drop out!

I'm not normally one for a tinted moisturiser. They normally kinda fail on me. Blotchy, patchy or make me turn into an orange, shiny person.

However I really liked this. It came free with one of those little goody bags that No7 do with two purchases. I was a little disappointed that it came in the shade medium, as that is a little dark for me but it actually looked pretty normal. My arms are quite tanned at the moment, so this makes my face match the rest of me, without looking too "wrong."

The application is pretty good, sometimes oily areas of your face need a little more concentration, as does blending into the neck with the darker shade. I like a matte finish anyway so use a translucent powder to "set" it into place, which results in the foundation staying put.

Also where I work in a shop that requires ordering stuff and waiting around for four minutes or more and going to a certain collection point, (you must have guessed by now!) I tend to get mighty warm with all the running around. Regardless of heat, it tends to stay on my face pretty well. I like to have a face painted on for work as it gives me the confidence needed to do my job; the colour doesn't put me off, I feel like me.

Recently I purchased a new foundation (from No.7 coincidentally!) so I won't be purchasing this in the near future, but maybe next summer it would be something to look into?!

Though the truth may vary,

This ship will carry our bodies safe to the shore.

Monday, 2 September 2013

L'Occitane Honey Hand Cream

A fab freebie, just a shame that L'Occitane send SO much post after. Ugh.

However, for the occasional promotional leaflet, I can forgive L'Occitane. I would never have picked up the honey hand cream otherwise.

I used to love honey as a kid, but nowadays, the smell makes me gag. Gross.

This handcream smells ever so slightly of honey, as the shea butter takes the edge off. This cream is so nourishing; it feels like a masque for your hands, but sinks in nice and fast, with no greasiness. Lovely. I like to apply this to the backs of my hands whilst I am driving. By the time I get home, my hands have recovered from work...whether or not I have is a separate matter....

Also, how cute is that little bear?!

£14 gets you 75ml which is a bit expensive, but I suppose it depends how much you love it?!

Tell me why does the river not flow.

Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Accidental Boots haul

Lets talk about the economic crisis and how inflation is affecting everything...

Okay, let's just leave it at how prices are going up for make up and it's rather depressing.

I have been ever faithful to my lovely Bobbi Brown foundations and powders for years. However, checking on the website, I saw that the foundation is now £30 for 30ml and the powder is £25 for 11g. Pretty sure it wasn't that 6 months ago...

I will need new foundation soon and it's just not possible for me to buy from Bobbi Brown any more. Maybe a treat occasionally, but it's just too painful seeing 10 hours work leave my bank account like that!

When I was on my lunch break on Sunday, I went into Boots to enquire about foundations and left with all these goodies! I was only going to look!

So much for my spending ban. But this was a fab deal! All of this for about £28! Bargain!

The assistant, Emily, wiped off my make up, applied this mousse foundation, then the powder. It gave such a soft, light finish, I was in love! She then applied my usual blush, but applied this honey coloured blush on top. It gave a natural looking glow to my skin which looked so pretty.

I then picked up another one of my favourite eyeliners. Since receiving it in one of those Christmas goodie bags, I am a little bit in love with it!

Emily then found me a £3 off make up voucher, so with the buy one get one half price deal and the £3 off, it came to £25! I then came back the next day and got another eyeliner to add to a pile for a little giveaway I am planning on having! *spoiler alert*

Honestly, I cannot believe how relaxed I felt during and after the experience. I felt like I had a mini pamper on my lunch break, which was well needed!

Oh, can't forget that it was 10 points per £1 when you spend over £15 at the weekend too! Woop!

I am very excited to try this foundation, as I want to have a natural, daytime look for when I go to university. There's no need for that awkward "trying a new foundation out" look within the first few weeks of meeting new housemates!

If anybody is near Hempstead Valley Boots, see if Emily is on the No.7 counter! She is FAB!

Does anybody else have high-end make up blues sometimes?

A change would do you good,

would do you good

Saturday, 17 August 2013

De-clutter, storage and playing with pretty make up.

Oh I do love a de-clutter.

Finding forgotten products, forgotten memories, forgotten...stuff!

Seeing as I am leaving for uni in about 5 weeks, I figured now would be a good time to think of some new make up storage. I pondered the classic #bblogger clear acrylic storage, but it just doesn't suit me and my needs. However, my big hessian bucket just isn't working for me.

Mum remembered the box in the loft which she used to store nappies in when I was a baby. (Sounds pleasant eh?!) I have decided to store all my favourite make up in it now, so that I am used to it for when I am at uni. The great thing is, EVERYTHING fits in there, so I can just close it up and pop it back under my desk when I have finished with it. Only thing is, I am having to use it now, as I will never get used to it when I am in Reading!

I have put eye shadows in one bag, lip products in the bee bag, concealers and mascaras in another. Half of my nail varnishes are in the little box; these are my darker colours as it will be Autumn/Winter when I am at uni.

At the top are my face products. I will store my brushes in their jars on my desk or will pop them in the bottom.

That means that I have lots of spare products, which I have popped in a drawer, ready to be replacements.

I also sorted through all my make up, freebies and samples and decided to chuck away all this:

I have my favourite gold eye shadow in here...which I have had for nearing on 10 years now. It's time to say goodbye. *sob!* There are also a LOT of Avon perfume samples which I will never wear and some Avon face products which will not suit me.

Doing this has made SO much more room on my dressing table and my drawers, which I am loving. A clearer dressing table can help me focus more.

I am about to wash my make up brushes too. Ahhh I feel a lot better now!

I don't know about you but I LOVE storage posts and organising posts, so it was about time to do my own! Please send me links to your storage posts, I love them! Comment below or tweet me @AshiTheseDays.

(P.S. If you want to see any of these products reviewed, please feel free to ask me to!)

Black velvet on that little boys smile,

Black velvet and that slow southern style.

Wednesday, 7 August 2013

July Empties

Oh it feels so good seeing all those full sizes empty.

Haircare

Avon Naturals Superfruit Soufflé Hair Masque

Nyahhh...eghhhh.....Review HERE

Would I repurchase? No

Herbal Essences Seductively Straight Sleekening Intensive Mask

Oh I miss this already.

Would I repurchase? No, because it costs like, a tenner! Silly discontinued lines. Review HERE

Facial Skincare

Bobbi Brown Concealer

This was the only concealer for me. Then I met the Collection one...

Would I repurchase? Maybe

Barry M Lash Modelling Mascara

I opened it, I hated it. I persvered, I love it!

Would I repurchase? Yes, I stopped myself buying this today!

Facial Skincare

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets

Addicted to these! Leaves make-up intact and makes me look less...damp. Winner! Review HERE

Would I repurchase? Already have done, found them in 99p Store!

Ginvera Green Tea Exfoliating Marvel Gel

Nyahhh...eghhhh.....Review HERE

Would I repurchase? Yes, why is this not in my life again?!

Avon Clinical Eye Lift Pro sample

I think this works.

Would I repurchase? Very tempted.

Moisturiser

Garnier Intensive 7 Days Moisturiser

To be honest, nothing compares to this line of moisturisers.

Would I repurchase? Probably.

Champneys Vitamiracle Rejuvenating Hand & Nail Cream

Such a lovely hand cream. Smells like orange yoghurt (in a good way.)

Would I repurchase? Maybe, I have others that I would buy over this though.

Perfume

Lady Million sample

OH GOD I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.

Would I repurchase? Very tempted, every time I see this in the stock room...

Miscellaneous

Boots Cotton Pads

Not as good as other brands to be honest.

Would I repurchase? Nah

2 x Dove Invisible Dry Compressed Deodorant

I don't think these suit me anymore.

Would I repurchase? Maybe. Review HERE

Sure for Men Invisible Ice

Okay, let me explain. Jamie left this behind and I hate wasting things. Especially when cans are half full.

Would I repurchase? I already have and it's working pretty well!

Elmo shower gel

A present from Mum. got to say, I really enjoyed it. Lil watermelon-y smelling monster! ;)

Would I repurchase? I might do!

Have you tried any of these products?

Anybody here love Elmo too?!

In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream,
At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines

Tuesday, 30 July 2013

Kleenex Shine Absorbing Sheets

Sometimes, when I take my water breaks at work, I look in the mirror Wthink...

"Jeez. I am the queen of sweat and oil. Disgusting."

Obviously, working in a stock room or on a very busy sales floor in the Summer can do that to you. It can't be helped.

Then you have that, "oh crap, my make-up!" moment. The slow-mo of your powder and eye make-up, dripping down your face. Melting.

Okay. SLIGHT exaggeration maybe. But that's what it feels like. Impending make-up doom and you are aware that your 2 minute break is nearly up. *GULP.*

The other day, I took these out my bag and thought, "oh what's the worst that could happen?"

I got these shine absorbing sheets in a magazine AGES ago and never thought to use them...I've been missing out for so long! These are FAB!

So much oil and shine was taken away from my skin, without moving my foundation/powder. I instantly looked calmer and less knackered.

Put it this way...when I saw the pack of 50 of these in the 99p shop last week, I snapped them up! They are now one of my handbag essentials.

Have you tried shine sheets before?

If you had another night to give,

I'd have another night to live.

Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Barry M Limited Edition Pink

Well hello there Summer and do I have an ideal nail polish for you!

During the last of my recent splurges (all of which will be stopping now!) I picked up this lovely little gem from Superdrug. It was free if you spent £6 on Barry M and this purchase was also fuelled by my desire to have a box of pretty colours on my dressing table.

This colour is a stunning *slightly* neon pink which is quite sheer, but is buildable to a solid colour. I have used three coats here.

I wore this colour on Sunday when I did Race For Life and it was the ideal shade to go with our neon t-shirts!

After experiencing this, I will definitely be buying more Barry M polishes; I can't believe I have never owned any before! Especially starting from £2.99, they are such great value!

I don't think that the offer to get this for free is still on, but Barry M are included in the 3 for 2 deals at Boots and Superdrug anyway.

Has anyone else got this colour? Are you loving it like me?!

I want to thank you,

for giving me the best days of my life.

Friday, 5 July 2013

June Empties

Is it me, or does this time of month come round fast?

Seeing as I am going back to uni in a few months, I will be trying to use up as many products as possible and throwing away stuff! This month I will be throwing away some more old make up, as I always think, "just in case..." but just in case can cause eye infections, of which I cannot be arsed with.

Hair Products