Monthly Favourites | January

So ive decided to switch up the format a little bit with my monthly favourites, i'm still going to include my beauty favourites for the month but im going to start including others things too like non beauty favourites, a favourite youtuber or blogger for that month, maybe a favourite book and song - i just want to try and make it a little different and a little more interesting for you - this is just a trial for now to see if it goes down well.

The fact that we are about 1 day away from February scares me a little - although I'm glad January is over, because January is probably my least favourite month! So let's get onto the favourite then!

Beauty Favourites:

Korres Ginger & Vitamin Foundation
I've really been enjoying wearing this foundation as it gives me enough coverage but as it's so lightweight it's i feel more like I'm wearing a bb cream rather than a foundation which i really like especially when I'm in work. I'd definitely say the coverage from this foundation is buildable, it gives a nice natural dewy finish and it lasts on my skin all day (i do wear a face primer with this) I think this is just an all round great foundation - just a shame its being discontinued so I'm gonna have to stock up on it before it disappears altogether! Read my full review here.

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Primer
My sister gave me this little sample as she didn't like using it and to be honest if it wasn't for her doing this i probably wouldn't have bothered trying it but I've really been enjoying wearing and using this. It applies to the face really nicely and it leaves me skin feeling really soft and it's provides a really nice base for my foundation and helps it to stay in place all day. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time i was this impressed with a primer, i will definitely be going out buying a full size as soon as I've used up at least two of the primers i already own.

Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo
This is a blush and shimmer product that i love to mix together and wear as one product as i find that the shades really compliment each other really well. The shimmer gives a really nice natural glow to the skin and leaves it looking really radiant, the pigmentation for these isn't anything amazing but i actually like that about this because it applies just the right amount for me and neither shade over takes each other, they work really well together. Read my full review here.

Boujois Delice De Soleil Bronzer
I've been loving using this bronzer to warm up the face as it's quite light so it looks nice and gives a nice natural glow to the face. It's really easy to apply and blends really nicely, it isn't orange-y or a dramatic bronze shade so it's perfect for everyday use and because its so light i don't have to be really wary of applying it, i can just get on with it and go so it's a great, easy way to add a bit of colour into my face. Read my full review here.

Sonia Kashuk Tinted Lip Balm in Hint of Red
I absolutely love this lip balm; I've kept it in my bag with me ever since i got it. As it's a tinted lip balm, its very sheer but it does give a pop of red to the lips and it's just really easy to wear with all make up looks. I love how sleek the packaging is and i really wish i could get my hands on more of these (and other Sonia Kashuk products) as i love this so much! Read my full review here.

Indeed: Hydraluron Moisture Booster
This truly is the wonder product that everyone says it is; since I've been using it my skin feels so healthy and more hydrated. I'm sure you all know what this is and what it does but if you don't you basically apply it before your moisturiser and it prepares you skin and helps it to absorb more moisture - i like to think of it as a primer for your moisturiser. I know this is expensive but it is genuinely worth every single penny, my skin feels amazing and more radiant, my sister has told me that my skin looks glowing and it's all down to Hydraluron. Read my full review here.

Maybelline Colour Tattoo in On and On Bronze
I've been loving wearing this lately; blending it out all over the lid and wearing on it's own, its the perfect lazy girl eye look as it's just so quick and easy but it looks really nice on it's own. These are really creamy eyeshadows, the blend quite easily and they last all day without creasing. You can use this as a base for eyeshadows too if you'd prefer but i just love wearing it alone. Read my full review here.

Burts Bees Lip Balm
Before this, id actually never tried anything from Burts Bees but my lovely sister got me a Burts Bees set at Christmas after i mentioned wanting one of their lip balms and this was in it and it's safe to say i love it. When I'm not wearing the Sonia Kashuk tinted lip balm that i mentioned earlier I've been wearing this, it's so moisturising and hydrating on the lips that i think i might even prefer it over my beloved carmex.

Maxfactor Excess Volume Mascara*
This is a fantastic mascara; it has dual ends one side that volumises lashes and the other is a dark lacquer that seals it in place. I normally hate mascaras that have a two step system as i find it usually leaves my lashes clumpy but this doesn't, this just gives me lovely long, separated and volumised lashes. It's is quite expensive for a high street mascara as it retails for about £12/13 but I'm really impressed with this mascara and the effect it has on my lashes so i would actually pay that much for it. Read my full review here.

Youtube or Blogger Favourite:


I've really enjoying Beauty By Alice's youtube channel this month, I only discovered it a little while ago but i've really been enjoying watching her videos - she uploads really great content and some of my favourite videos have been her make up tutorials/get ready with me videos, i love watching how people do their make up and she's given me some great ideas of ways to wear my UD Naked 3 Palette. Ive spoken to her a few times over on twitter and she's just as lovely as she seems in he videos so definitely go check her channel and her blog too!

Non Beauty Favourites:
I will include photos in the future of my non beauty favourites but i dont have many this month so i feel it'll be a bit of a dull photo, but anyways here are some of the non beauty related things ive been loving.

Pretty Little Liars
I freakin' love this show and it started back at the start of January and im so glad its back, i love how it keeps me in suspense and it keeps me constantly guessing - even when you think you've got it all figured out it's do something to throw you off and your back to square one. Its one of those shows that i really want to know the answers but i also really don't want it to ever end. It's just awesome and ive found myself a little addicited to reading all the different theories people have on it, some of them are so clever and people notice a lot of things that i may have missed.

Books
This is a little vague i know but ive been reading a lot lately, ive really gotten my mojo back and ive read some really great books. I'm not including specific ones here because i am going to do a recently read quite soon and ill do mini reviews of all the books that ive read so far then. I'm loving reading again and i really hope that i keep it up.

Jolly Ranchers
I think im a little addicted to these, unfortunately their American sweets so i can't get them that easily over here without it costing me an arm and a leg  but thankfully, my sister bought me a big family size bag for christmas and ive spent the majority of January chomping away on them. They're so tasty and i just can't get enough of them.

Music Favourites:
One Direction's Album Midnight Memories
I've not stopped listening to their album if im honest, i think its so good and their sound has a changed a little bit which normally doesn't work out well for bands but in their case i think they've done it really well. The songs are all great and there isnt one on the album that i dislike - my favourites would probably be Story of my Life, Throught the Dark, Half a Heart and Midnight Memories (it was hard not to list them all) I know a lot of people dislike and are very critical of them but i think they're really brilliant and ive enjoyed all their albums.

Let it Go from Frozen
I'm sure im not the only one guilty of belting this song out, or am i? Since watching Frozen i've loved putting this on and having a good ole howl along with it -im literally listening to it as i write this- it's such a good song - if you've not seen Frozen; id highly recommend it, Olaf will seriously make your day he was my favourite thing about the entire film!

So that is all my beauty and non beauty favourites for the month of January. What have you been loving this month?
Natalie xx

*This item was either gifted to me or sent for review

Review | Maybelline Colour Tattoos (Pink Gold & Metallic Pomegranate)

Just before Christmas i took advantage of the 3 for 2 offer that Maybelline had on in Boots and i picked up these two Maybelline Colour Tattoos as i was constantly seeing them popping up on blogs and well just look at them the colours are absolutely gorgeous.

I had no doubt in my mind whatsoever about the quality of these products because i already own the shade 'On and On Bronze' and i love it - since buying these I've gotten this one back out of my collection and fallen back in love with. Its such an amazing everyday shade and they are so creamy and they just glide onto the lids so easily, i like to apply these with my fingers and then blend out with a big fluffy brush. They are so pigmented, they don't crease and they are so long lasting - they are just amazing products. Pink Gold and Metallic Pomegranate are no different from 'On and On Bronze' in terms of quality as they are just as lovely and creamy too.

Pink Gold is a gorgeous pink champagne kind of shade - it reminds me a little bit of Urban Decay 'Sin' but in a cream eyeshadow form. Obviously, it's quite shimmery (i think all of the shades are) but because it has a golden tone in it it makes it a lot more wearable and not a garish looking pink, this is such a beautiful shade to wear alone and i think this will be a product ill get the most use out of in spring/summer!

Metallic Pomegranate is also a gorgeous colour, its a deep cranberry/burgundy kind of shade and it has a hint of gold running through it - this is the perfect autumn shade and i love wearing this alone on the lid for a darker pop of colour on the eye - i do try wearing this in the crease but i personally find it difficult to blend cream eyeshadows together, i blended this into the crease once with On and On Bronze on the lid and it didn't quite turn out how i expected but i find that that happens with most cream products so i think its more me than it is them?

I really rate the Maybelline Colour Tattoos, they are a great alternative to the Mac Paint Pots - the only thing i would say it is that i would love to see more matte shades in them but other than that they're brilliant products.

Have you tried the Maybelline Colour Tattoos? What's your favourite shade?
Natalie xx

Shopping the Stash | Everyday Make Up Organiser #1

 




I recently picked up this acrylic Glam Cosmetic Organiser from amazon as i was getting a little tired of keeping my everyday make up bag in my drawer and i just wanted something like this that was on show and that id be able to see the products a bit more easily.

As I'm sure some of you know, I've put myself on a make up ban in the hope ill use up some products or at least show some products a bit more love. I have decided that each month I'm going to shop my stash - almost like the make-up mix up series i used to do except I'm only going to rotate it monthly instead of weekly.

I have kept some products in here that i already use everyday like my Benefit Hello Flawless Custom Cover Up Powder in Gee Ivory I'm Swell*, Maybelline Brow Drama in Dark Brown, Max Factor Excess Volume Mascara, HD 'Foxy' Brows Kit, Mac Paint Pot in Painterly and my Benefit Fake Up Concealer in Light* Some of these products I'm already close to finishing but others are just products I'm happy with and don't really want to change up as they aren't really items i switch up in my routine anyway.

For the other products; I've opted for two foundations this month so that i can choose between the two depending on what coverage I'm wanting, Korres Wild Rose Foundation which has a more heavier coverage and I'm in between testing this out and for days i want a lighter coverage I've chosen Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation. Ive dug my Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer back out as its already a well lovely product (literally, the case is falling apart) but I'm having a little 'hormonal' break out so i wanted a concealer that can give me a bit extra coverage. I'm also going to try and use my Mac Fix+ a bit more as I've hardly touched it lately and its just sitting in my collection.

I've also added in two Etude House products that I'd picked up off Ebay just before Christmas; their Etude House Face Colour Corset and Etude House Watercolour Blush in Coral. Ive also included the Benefit Fine One One as it's an alternative blush as well as highlighting the face so it's a great multipurpose product for any lazy make up days. For the eyes; I've chosen a handful of products to mix it up like the N07 Mini Palette, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate, Nyx Single Eyeshadow in Sahara and I've also added a mix of pencil eyeliners like the Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal eyeliner in Nude and Sonia Kashuk Eye Definer in Purple Passion. I wanted to start adding an highlight into the inner corner to open up the eyes more so Ive included the Collection Work the Colour Eyeshadow Pencil in Vintage Blush as it's a light champagne pink so I'm going to see how that works out.

As I'm keeping the Max Factor Excess Volume Mascara in the mix, I've only added one other Mascara and that's the Seventeen Blowout Volumise Sculpt Tease Mascara - i got this in my advent calendar along with Seventeen Tattoo Me Eyeliner which I've also included to test them both out and see what they are like.

Like eye products; I've opted for a variety of lip products as a girl can't just stick to the one now can she? I've added one lip liner into the mix as i rarely use them and want to try and add them into my routine more, for now I've added Sephora Lip Liner in Candid Candy, other lip products I've opted for is the Mauve-y Pink Seventeen Lip Crayon out of the set i picked up in the  Christmas sales, MUA Intense Kisses Lip Gloss in Stolen Kiss, L'Oreal Caresse Lipstick in Rose Mademoiselle and Benefit Benetint - most of these are products I've used and loved before that I've not used in a little while so i want to show them a little more love!

There is a selection of products you may be able to see in the photos that I've not mentioned but I've put into the organiser - that's is mostly because i didn't want to bore you half to death by listing a million and one products so I've just tried to pick out a handful of them to show you. I'm still working on the best way to show you what ive included in my organiser so hopefully if you like this post ill do it much better next time!

I'm sure reviews of some of the products mentioned will pop up on my blog over the next month but be sure to leave me a comment if there is anything in particular you are wanting a review on. Also, do let me know if you'd like me to do a post like this each month when i rotate the products?

What's in your everyday make up?
Natalie xx

Moments That Mattered 2013

Image from Tumblr.com (Text added by me)

I wasn't originally going to do any post like this where i sum up the events of 2013 because i kind of feel like 2013 wasn't a special year but when i think back of all the things i did or achieved last year i think 2013 definitely was more than special. For me 2013 was the year of little things and little moments.

During 2013; i got to watch Olly Murs and Bruno Mars on their tours, i saw my cousin get married, i went from having no UD Naked Palettes to owning all three and the basics, I finally got instagram, i did a massive Beauty Swap with a blogger in the US, I got a job, I graduated from University with a 2:1 and i made the decision that i didn't want to take my degree any further and the biggest thing i achieved in 2013 was being able to cross one of my biggest dreams off my bucket list - I went to Rome and finally made a wish in the Trevi Fountain (i almost cried), I tasted real Italian Pizza and Gelato, I went to the Collosseum, the Spanish Steps and the Pantheon, I found the Secret Keyhole, I went to Sephora and I discovered the wonders of Kiko Cosmetics.

2013 was also a great year for my blog - I hit 500 Followers both on my GFC and Blog Lovin', my blog started to get a little more recognition giving me wonderful opportunities like attending the Benefit 'Fake Up' Concealer launch and meeting some lovely bloggers id spoken to previously and the chance to work with lovely brands and people like Pure Skincare, Max Factor, John Freida, Travel Supermarket, Money Supermarket and I've also built up a good relationship with Total Media (Media Buying), I won many wonderful giveaways, i completed a 365 challenge of blogging everyday and my passion for blogging has continued to remain strong.

So yeah, 2013 was all about the little things and the little moments as they most definitely outweighed any of the bad things that happened. Lets make 2014 even better!

This is my entry to the Lloyds Bank Moments that Mattered competition!
Natalie xx

Review | Seventeen Quick Draw Eye Collection

This was another item i picked up in the Boots sale on boxing day - Seventeen Quick Draw Eye Collection, it was only £5 and I'm quite fond of eye crayons so i thought id pick it up and see what it was like.

In the box; you get four eye crayons each of them is dual ended, the colours on each crayon compliments each other so that you can use them to quickly create easy eye looks - i really like the concept of these as it's a great lazy girl product, swipe them over you eye and you have an instant eye look that looks like you've spent ages doing. I love how these are so versatile you can wear the colours alone for a simple all over lid look or you can add their opposite colour into the outer corner to add more dimension, you could even build up the colour and smoke them out to make a more intense look or you could even use them as an eyeliner - so even the colours you might not normally wear as an eyeshadow you might be able to get use out of them another way.

One thing that really surprised me about these is the pigmentation, i didn't expect them to have such good colour pay off like they do and the crayons themselves are really smooth and creamy so they just glide over the lid making them super easy to apply to the lid and to blend together which is great because that means you don't have to be tugging or dragging it across the eye.

The main issue i have with these is that the times I've worn them they crease quite easily which is really annoying, even wearing a primer underneath doesn't make much difference which is quite disappointing. I think i will still use these either on days when i know i wont be out too long or maybe just as eyeliners, i could possibly use the lighter shades as an inner corner highlight that way at least they way i will still get some use out of them and they won't be a complete waste.

It's such a shame that they crease because they are really great in every other aspect and i know these would have been such a great addition to my make up collection.
Have you tried the Seventeen Quick Draw Eye Crayons?
Natalie xx

Review | Indeed Hydraluron Moisture Booster

I don't often review skincare nor do i like to splash out on products - i know your skin is something to invest in but I'm just a cheapskate and id prefer to spend my pennies on make-up.

However, i was forever seeing this highly hyped product featured on youtube and on blogs and after reading review after review of praises i started to get intrigued. Then, i saw the price and as tempted as i was i thought no way am i spending £25 but then one day i made a random trip to Boots with the intention to find some Christmas presents and whilst in the queue to the till (with make up for me and no presents) i spotted that all the Indeed products were on offer and the Hydraluron was only £16/17 still a bit pricey but without thinking i picked it up and it came home with me.

I did instantly have that 'why did i just buy that' doubt as soon as i left the shop but I'm so glad that i didn't turn around and take it back because I've found this has made such a difference to my skin. I won't really go too in depth about it because there are a million and one reviews already out there and plus i don't really understand all the science-y bit behind it and ill just end up sounding like an idiot trying but this product has been designed to help get your skin absorb more moisture.

You apply this serum before your apply your usual moisturiser, so after you've cleansed and toned your face you apply this serum and then apply your moisturiser as normal. The idea is that this serum helps your skin absorb the moisture from your moisturiser even better so that your skin is more hydrated. Think of it like a primer for you moisturiser so it helps you get the most out of your moisturiser.

At first, i was a bit sceptical and didn't think it would make much difference and even after the first use i was wondering whether I'd wasted my money but i stuck with it and after a few days of using it, my skin felt so much better and the more and more i used it my skin was much more hydrated and it felt really amazing and healthy. Ive even had my sister tell me that my skin looked really glowing and healthy and this was before id applied my make up.

This product is expensive but i definitely think i would repurchase it - ideally, I'm going to wait until its on offer again but after the difference it's made to my skin in the five weeks or so I've been using it, i genuinely think its worth every penny.

Have you tried Hydraluron?
Natalie xx

Review | Korres Ginger & Vitamins Foundation

A little while ago just before my ban started i bought three foundations off FragranceDirect (like i even need anymore) and one of them i picked up was this Korres Ginger & Vitamin Foundation.

Before i added this to my basket i read a couple of reviews first and they were all pretty good reviews so i decided to give it ago - it retails for £18.95 but fragrance direct its only £3.99 i believe its being discontinued which is why its so cheap.

I love the tube packaging of this as its so different to most foundations i have, i find that Korres are really good when it comes to their packaging as its so simple - mostly black type on a white background but it looks so nice and sleek. The shade range of this foundation is pretty shoddy and if you look at the colour range available on fragrance direct the shades look pretty scary but after looking at reviews/swatches - I'd recommend doing this just to help you get a better idea - i decided to go with the lightest shade LF1, i think i choose well with the shade as i thought it might have ended up being too light but it suits my skin tone pretty well.

I actually really like this foundation and I've been wearing it almost everyday since i bought it, its a light to medium coverage but i feel that this is more like a BB cream than a foundation, i don't know if its because its in a tube but even the consistency reminds me a lot like a BB cream. If i use concealer as well i find that the coverage is good enough for me, but even so i think that this would be quite buildable if you prefer a fuller coverage. It has quite a natural dewy finish, but i tend to always powder my foundation anyways to set it and to make sure their is no shine.

Ive also been loving wearing this for work because its feels light on the skin and it lasts all day so i don't need to top up during my shift and i imagine this foundation will be great during the summer when the days get warmer.

I actually really like this foundation as it has all the qualities i like in a foundation; it's long lasting, has light yet buildable coverage, the finish is nice, it feels really nice on the skin and i really love the packaging. I'm really enjoying using this foundation and I'm tempted to order another one just so i know i have a back up off before it disappears altogether!

Have you tried any products from Korres?
Natalie xx

Wreck This Journal!

A couple of days ago Hayley did a post on her blog about on her Wreck This Journal and reading it and seeing her pages made me want to dig mine out again and have a look over some of the ones I'd done - so the credit for this post idea belongs to Hayley! I used to do pages in this all the time when i was in uni especially when i was supposed to be doing uni work but over the last year Ive barely reached for it and after seeing Hayley's post it made me want to try and do more from it. I'm going to aim to do at least one page a week and rather than dedicating posts to it ill share it over on instagram (@youralmostalice) - but before i start here is some of my favourite pages Ive done.












Do you have a Wreck This Journal?
Natalie xx

Review | Sonia Kashuk Tinted Lip Balm

My very lovely pen pal sent me this Sonia Kashuk Tinted Lip Balm in the shade Hint of Red in my last package and I almost screamed with excitement when i saw this as Sonia Kashuk isn't a brand that we have access to here in the UK so i was extremely excited to try this out and the eyeliner she sent as well (will review this sometime in the future) and it excited me even more to see the colour of this lip balm as I'm a sucker for a red shade.

Now because this is a tinted lip balm it doesn't apply as bold as the colour in the bullet but it does have a sheer application and it gives a decent amount of colour to the lips - a lot more than your average tinted lip balms tend to do. Ive been wearing this on pretty much a daily basis because it's so easy to wear and really moisturising too - it's great for work too as its such a subtle colour to wear. I just love this lip balm, i keep it in my bag on the go and it's great with most make up looks to because of its sheer application. If you'd like to see what it's like on i featured it on my Christmas FOTD - i did try to get photos for this post but i just didn't like any of them enough to include them so I'm sorry but hopefully this post will give you a good idea of what its like.

I love the packaging of this lip balm as it's so sleek and i think it looks a lot more luxurious and more expensive than it is - I may be wrong but i believe Sonia Kashuk is sold in Target (I'm not sure if it's exclusively or not) so it's an affordable drugstore brand. I really wish that there was an easy way for me to access this brand as id love to try more products from the brand!

Have you got a favourite tinted lip balm?
Natalie xx

Love Me Beauty (Edition Three) | January

I really enjoyed last months beauty box so i was very excited to see what this months had to offer - i was a little worried at first that i miss out on the box after the whole purse fiasco as i had to cancel my subscription and then resubscribe with new payment details it was a bit of a ballache tbh, why not just have the option to update the details online like most normal website?! I'll be honest and say I'm not completely blown away with the contents this month and had it not been for the mascara that i just couldn't miss out on, i probably wouldn't have gotten it this month.

I opted for Edition three because the image showed the NYX eyeshadow as a really light beige which i felt would be a colour id used most out of what i could see - but shades can vary anyways so it was pot luck anyways!

So what's inside?

Nyx Cosmetics Single Eyeshadow in Sahara (Full Size - RRP £5.00)
Thankfully, i did get the beige shade i saw! I like neutral colours like this as these are great to go all over the lid before adding darker shades into the crease, this is supposed to be a mineral eyeshadow packed with colour, easy to bend and long lasting. I really like NYX I've tried a couple of their products before including an eyeshadow palette so if it emulates the same quality then it'll be a great addition to my collection even though i don't particularly need another eyeshadow but I'm sure ill make use of it anyways!

Arran Aromatics Apothecary Wheatgerm & Vitamin E Soap (Full Size - RRP £2.75)
I don't really know what i think of this as i don't really used soap on my body - i tend to stick to shower gels/cleanser type product so i don't really have high expectations for this product but this particular soap claims to contain a natural oatmeal and cleanse the skin without drying it out so ill definitely give it a try and see how it goes.

Anatomicals Rose & Jasmine Body Cleanser (Full Size - RPP £3.00)
Ive actually never tried anything from Anatomicals (shocking, i know) so I'm glad I'll finally get the opportunity to try something out but i just wish it wasn't a bath/shower product as i already have so many that i need to use up - i literally have a basket and a drawer filled so it'll take me a while to get round to using it.

Pureology Colour Stylist Silk Bodifier (250ml Sample - RRP 15.00)
This is a product I'm intrigued about trying, i don't really use hair mousse and this claims to infuse volume, shine and softness to the hair whilst also protecting it and maximising it's vibrancy (it's aimed at colour treated hair) so I'm quite intrigued to see how this works in my hair and to see if it helps me with styling my hair now that it's shorter too.

Cosmetics A La Carte Divine Lash Mascara (Full Size - £23.00)
The final product and pretty much the only reason i decided to get a box this month is this mascara - it apparently has a tapered flexible brush that makes it easier to reach every lash and its precise brush combs through the lashes to give length and definition without causing clumps. I'm coming to realise that I'm a bit of a sucker for mascaras and due to that it's gonna take me a while to get round to using this because i already have a couple open and I'm going to try and stop opening them all at once because then they go to waste and i don't use some as much as others - so after I've started using it ill do a full review on it!

Overall, this box is a bit of a mixed bag - i love that 4/5 products are full size so you are definitely getting your monies worth with the box and even though some are products i might not have wanted i will definitely use them and give them a good try!

What do you think of this months Love Me Beauty Box?
Natalie xx

Review | Kate Spade New York Nails Inc Nail Polishes

If any of you are avid Glamour Magazine readers you will recognise these nail polishes as they were the freebie you could get back when their November Issue was released. I'm actually subscribed to Glamour Magazine but i ended up missing out on my freebie as they could no longer post nail polishes due to changes with Royal Mail but they did send a little little with instructions on how to claim it. However, after a number of emails and a lot of miscommunication (i.e. my emails being completely ignored) it ended up being too late and i missed out on claiming my freebie which didn't please me too much - so that annoying situation, plus one more and a very angry tweet made me a very unhappy subscriber but a lovely lady from Conde Nast passed me an email to contact, which i did and i explained all the issues and she very kindly offered to send me the four nail polish due to the all the inconvience i'd been caused...now this email isn't me trying to bitch about that situation or about Glamour i'm just trying to put into context how ive come to own all four nail polishes.

These are the Kate Spade New York Nails Inc Polishes; now i don't know if these are exclusive to Glamour or whether they are available to buy but id assume that the packaging suggests its a Glamour Exclusive but i definitely think these shades would be very easy to find dupes for.

Had i got these when they were released with the issue i definitely think these would be the perfect shades to have worn for christmas as they are just the ideal christmassy shades like Uptown Glamour which is a gorgeous gold shade and also Soho Silver which has a very similar texture and look to the gold but is of course it's silver, these would have made a lovely addition to any make up look/outfit over christmas and new year, obviously these are exclusive to these occasions and can be worn any time of the year. The other two which i definitely think i will get the most use out of are New York Noir which is a plain black and Big Apple Red which is a classic true red - both of which are just classic shades. I love all these shades and i know they will get a lot of use especially the red and black as these are two colours i always find myself going back too.

Nails inc are fabulous although quite expensive nail polishes but they are really good quality, they apply nicely and don't streak, they became opaque after two coats and they dry quite quickly too. As for chipping its hard to say because i think it all differs depending on the top coat you used and how much you use your hand - me for instance, i have quite a physical job and my nail varnish is lucky to last one shift where other people may have less physical jobs and thereforeit might not chip as easily as mine tends to do.

Overall, im really grateful to Glamour for sending these to me as i know it was as a kind gesture due some of the incovience ive experienced so i really appreciate that. Im loving these nail polishes and i just love the four colours!

Did you pick up any of the Kate Spade New York Nail Inc Polishes?
Natalie xx

Review | Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights Duo

This was another little treasure that i picked up from the Car Boot Sale for a whopping £1, i didn't exactly need anymore blushes but as it was Smashbox, it just seemed to good to let it go to waste. At first, i was a little baffled as to whether it was two blushes, a blush/bronzer duo or what but after doing a little bit of reading it's two of Smashbox's products combined - their 'Passion' Blush and 'Soft Lights' Shimmer.

Packaging wise i think it's a bit blah, i imagine the full retail price for this would be somewhere around the £15-£20 mark and for that id expect the packaging to be a bit more exciting than what it is but I've been wearing this blush pretty much everyday since i picked it up and it's such a great product. The blush 'Passion' is a matte rosy mauvey kind of shade, it's a really pretty colour that is much darker to a lot of blushes i own but it doesn't apply really dark it just gives a hint of colour to the cheek giving it that fresh faced winter rosy cheek kind of look. The shimmer 'Soft Lights' is really pretty and it compliments the blush really nicely, it's more of a pinky pearlescent shade which i really like in shimmer/highlighters as i feel they work better for me and compliment my complexion much better. I love the way this shimmer gives a natural glow to the skin, it really makes the skin look quite healthy and radiant and it's a real pick me up during these dull winter days, although i imagine this shimmer would be amazing during the spring/summer time!

The pigmentation of the blush isn't outstanding but i don't actually mind that too much because it applies just the right amount for me and i think it works even better with the shimmer because it doesn't take over. I mix these shades together when i apply them and it's a perfect product for everyday wear, as it'd compliment a lot of make up looks so you could pair this with either a bold eye or a bold lip and it won't make you look overdone or clown like.

I did have a browse on the website and i can't find this on there so i don't know if this is available to buy anymore but if any of the products have caught your eye you can buy them individually. I've only tried a handful of product from Smashbox none of which have disappointed and this one is no exception!

Have you tried any product from Smashbox?
Natalie xx