Maybelline 24hr Super Stay Color Review

                          Maybelline 24hr Super Stay Color in Plum Seduction (240) RRP £8.99

This Like the 14hr does what it said but not for quite as long, I'd put this at a 14hr limit, and it does loose shine after about 7 hours, but saying that - once its on and dry it takes a lot to remove it, such slight transfer as for it to be almost imperceivable. To keep the shine going you need to keep using the balm.

The wand is the most unfortunate thing in this as it does not pick up a lot of the color and so it took me a while to cover my lips to get the desired effect, I left it about 5 minutes to dry in, which in that time it makes the lips feel gloopy and dry and then I added the glossy conditioning balm, which is an amazing relief to the lips after waiting 5 mins and being dried out.

I ate a meal, drank a drink and still this was on my lips and not budging, I just lost the shine, This is more than adequate for an all day wear, and to be honest as it starts life as a gloss I'm pretty much in awe by the staying power, If all lipsticks and glosses could last this long then they would be worth paying more for!

Easter 2014

Easter is upon us already, just like christmas it comes once a year and it seems to come faster every time. Long gone is the excitement of having 12 eggs all to yourself (a stupid amount that you never ate but reveled in the counting). I was never really fussed on the actual egg, more the chocolate bar/mug/packet of sweets that came inside the egg or just in the box.

As an only child I ended up with far more than I could ever eat alone and my parents ended up helping me eat half of the eggs. As an adult I now get 2 each year, once from my parents and once from the in-laws. Getting an egg brings back a great feel of childhood and excitement until my all to adult brain takes over and after only 10 seconds I'm 27 again and already bored of the whole thing. What am I looking forward to? having 4 consecutive days of work, spending 2 days with my husband and just chilling out, I may go wild and have a games night but adult me is just more for sitting on my bum.

For those of you with children or who don't like staying in, or need ideas of things to do
here are a few things for you:

• have a easter egg hunt - easy to do and fun for 10 minutes, can do it in house if the weather is bad.
• go out - go to the cinema, bowling, have a picnic if its nice - enjoy the family time
• make something - some cupcakes or a cake and have fun decorating them, if you have not got time or just want to do something simple make some rice crispy cakes
• make paper baskets and flowers to give to family
• have a games night - monopoly, cludo, scrabble, uno - whatever you like
• make a t-shirt/trousers - all you need is a few slightly worn tops/jeans and a few dying pieces of clothing to cut up, glitter, some odd bits and bobs and some fabric glue, make a game with the kids then put on a fashion show
• story/poem time - give the lids some words and get them to make a easter story/poem about it that they have to put pictures too - should kill half an hour
• if the weather is nice, arrange for a group of friends to get together and do a scavenger hunt, using local landmarks as clues to move the groups on, prize could be a pint at the end of the game!

These are not the best ideas, but they may inspire you to do something better, Have a great easter and don't eat too much chocolate!

Natural Collection Eyeshadow Review

Natural Collection Eye Shadow in Barley from Boots RRP £1.79

This is a lot more pigmented that it looks in its little case, but once its out its beautiful, Its a champagne with gold to warm it up more and the fall out is non existent. I really picked this up on a whim, I have lots of gold tones from illamasqua's pure pigment (review soon) to MUA's undress me and undress me too pallettes which hold a lot of gold tones it it. however the fallout from these is always pretty high, even when you go carefully. The only bonus with fallout from gold tones is that when you rub into the top of your cheeks you can get a highlight effect look without adding anything else.

If Pigment/glitter is not your thing or you only like a little, then the good news is that this is completely buildable, and the picture is after 3 coats, and only looks quite so bright due to the flash of my camera, It's soft and easy to blend as well as a really natural and complementary shade to add to anyone's collection, and for only £1.79 its pretty much a bargain.

Why Dry Shampoo is a Must Have!

We all have days when we haven't had time to wash our hair or we are running late for whatever reason. This is when dry shampoo is a must.

My mother used to tell me to use talcum powder, put a little on your hands, rub hands together to even out and slowly put on hair from roots to tips, rubbing and them brushing in. Talcum does work but adds a dullness to the hair, but at a push it is a good trick to get an extra day out of your hair.

As I got older and got into beauty products, I found Dry shampoo, now my preference is Batiste as for me its the best formula I've found for the price, some of the cheaper ones don't last long or just don't really soak up the grease.

I don't use it often, generally the largest can will last me a year, so for £5 a year its not really a bad investment to help your hair look healthier and gain a much needed few hours. To anyone who has never tried It, I would thoroughly recommend picking up a can and giving it a go, Dry Shampoo is truly a god send.

Maybelline 14hr Lipstick Review

Maybelline 14hr Lipstick in Non-Stop Red (510) RRP £8.99

I bought this due to the lovely bright color it is a beautiful red that is vibrant and yet not to OTT, It makes me feel young and fun and as just a nice splash of color to your face it can add a volume of daring to otherwise everyday make-up. Its not high shine, and a bit more wet looking than sheer, but its very nice. It may not be a spring color but its one that would be great no matter the season to put with either bright clothes or to brighten up a more classic black look.

It glides on and does not feel to wet or greasy, once dry it is really hard wearing, It does not give 14 hours, but I wore mine for about 9 with drinking and eating. The only thing I found was that after about 6 hours the color started to crease into the lines of my lips. I am going to try it with a clear lipgloss to see if it lasts longer. maybe without eating and drinking the creasing may not happen and it may last even longer.

for the price, outcome and feel I think this is a well worth buy, when I have more money I will be trying a few other colors and adding them to my ever expanding lipstick collection.

How I long to be Blonde again

I keep going from blonde to brown and back again, I have now been a brown for 18months and I miss being blonde. Once you have turned blonde no matter what you do you eventually want to go back to it. I Like the color I am at the moment but I miss looking at my long blonde locks.

Just before I dyed it blonde I had all my hair cut off, It was lovely short, but I love my hair long. It needed to be cut though, After I got married my hair was just fried, so as sad as it was when I cut it all off it needed it and its now growing back in really good condition. I'm attributing this to hardly using the straightners or blow dryer unless I'm going out, I leave my hair down when going to bed and using a whole host of product to protect my hair.

So I want it long and blonde, the length will take another 18 months maybe 12, but the color I can do now. As I don't want to loose the condition, I'm opting to take the long route to get my hair back to its rightful color. I'm going to start with a dark blonde dye to take out the brown and slowly go a lighter shade each month until I am at the color I want. I hope it will only take about 6 months but it may take a lot longer.

Here's to being the life of the party again soon.

MUA Pro-Base Fixing Mist Review

MUA Pro-Base Fixing Mist PPR £3 from Superdrug

So to be completely honest I have never used a fixing mist or all nighter spray to compare this to.

However I will still give my opinion on the item, and for only £3 it is worth a try.

So the main thing is that it does work, it is said to work against heat, humidity, cold and wind and so far I have found that it does work. Its supposed to last up to 8 hours, I would say that its more like 4-6 depending on what you are doing, if your going for a night out on the dance floor then its more like 4. however it does help and it keeps my foundation and eye make up on longer.

the only really bad point is the spay itself, you have to shake and spray in a horizontal motion, however either its to thin to do this or the nozel used is not great as it comes out in large droplets and takes quite a while to dry, these large droplets to not make your make up go anywhere, its just inconvenient as you expect a nice mist that covers evenly. with this you have to use more than expected to get a good cover.

so overall its a good product for the price, just be wary of the way it sprays, for all I know I may have a slight dud, but until I run out I'm going to have to assume they are all like this. Even with this one bad point I will be re-purchasing once I run out.

What I want for Spring

 This Is a outfit I have put together for spring,

Gold Glitter Club Master Sunglasses £4.99 New Look

3 Pack Cream and Pink Hair Bows £3.99 New Look

Blue Floral Shirred Waist Sleeveless Dress£12.99 New Look

Stone Crochet Panel Clutch £12.99 New Look
New Look Savannah Turquoise Strapped Sandals £19.99 ASOS
Silver Polished Metal Peter Pan Collar £5.99 New Look

 Click on item description to take you to it

Put together your spring outfit and send me the link, I would love to see your ideas.

Collection 2000, Lasting Percetion Concealer Review

Collection 2000, Lasting Perfection, Ultimate wear Concealer in fair RRP £4-£6
this was bought on offerat boots for £3 a few months ago

 There have been reams and reams of reviews on this product, so I thought I would add my two cents into the mix.

What Can I say that hasn't all ready been stated. This is an amazing little product, for the price you pay it compares with a lot of higher end makes and does just as good a job. It is long lasting, gives great cover, dries quickly, is also good for high-lighting under eyebrows, blends well, does the job it says is does.

I could not be happier with this product, and for a high street buy it's just perfect, I urge anyone who hasn't yet picked on up to do so, they are £4.16 in boots and for that money, well you can't go wrong.

What I Picked Up

So the other day I had a bit of a spree, I haven't had one in a long while, reviews to follow in the coming weeks for certain items, but for now I just wanted to share what I'd bought.

1. Maybelline super 24 hour stay in 240-Plum Seduction from boots £8.99
    Maybelline 14hr lipstick in 510-non stop red from boots £8.99 (these are currently 3 for 2 my friend 
     had the other one)
    Natural Collection Lipstick in a sheer natural called sherbet from Boots £1.99
    Natural Collection eyeshadow shade in Barley from Boots £1.79
    The Plum Seduction is a nice dark plum and very high shine, the non stop red is really really 
    red and is a beautiful color. The natural collection sherbet is a very nude skin tone but has
    some glitter in it and finally the eyeshadow is just a beautiful creamy, natural shade.
2. Is a top from George for only £5, it has lace details on the shoulders and the back, its baggy
    but is also forgiving.
3. A black leather belt with gold chain detail cost me £1.
4. The second top I bagged is from H&M and cost me £3, which I thought was a pure bargain its
    a spring orange with lace detail on the shoulder and is a butterfly style, its tight but in all the
    right places.
5. Cuff link earring from Claires it was £4.50
6. Drop flower style earring from Claires these cost me £4, I also have a pair of butterfly hoops
    as it was 3 for 2 but the photos came out to bad to use.
7. A set of two belts in a dark silver and a gold copper these were £1.50 from George.

 And finally a best friend shamballa style bracelet that I gave the other half to Laura, this just seemed appropriate at the time and make us feel 12 for a few hours.

Nostalgia can be a big thing when you are buying things, especially when you mix old ideas with new fashions, these cost £7 and I think they were worth it, if not for the nostalgia at least for the fun factor of reliving your teens.

So I spent about £45 today when you add it all together and I feel that I walked away with a good few choices for this money and if not, who cares, I am a woman and shopping is in me!

My Obsession with Lights.

I love things that twinkle and glisten and glow in a warm way, this is why my house is filled with things that light up and cast a warm glow over the area. I'd rather have a lamp and a candle going than the main light. Above are a few things I have bought to aid me in my insane quest to only cast shadows in my house!

 A lot may be different candles or just holders, but I love them all and if I could afford it I would more than likely light my house only by candle lights and fairy lights, alas eventually they would cost more as unless they are led lights or really really cheap tea light (and I love scented ones) they would not be cheaper than an energy saving and efficient bulb. The world is against my life by candle.

MUA BB Cream Review

MUA BB all in one beauty balm in light £4 from superdrug

As one who is a lover of MUA, I was very much dissapointed by this BB cream.

It is a very thick and slightly oily consistency, when put on face it takes quite a lot of product. I have tried it on its own and under foundation and each time it wears off, leaving smears or patches on your face, I have even tried setting it with powder.

I think it would work as a concealer for small patches, but it is not good for all over, as MUA is normally excelent value for money, this product is not in that category.  A big let down for me.

Hello, my name is Pain!

After being off work for 17 days and going back into one mad week, I can tell you that I'm not feeling great right now.

So I work in Tesco in one of the largest stores in the UK, I am a Team Leader on the Checkout and I deal with over 100 staff and thousands of customers in a week. Short of running around for both, I barely get a moment to sit down or take any stock. Our store which was expected to have calmed down now is taking on a mind of its own (fueled by the customers who visit it) and is increasingly getting more and more busy. I love my job and the challenges it brings, I do not however, love the impact it has on my body.

I am a large girl (that is not my jobs fault), I like my food. If anyone calls me fat I fully admit to being the only one in control of my body. I do however have a few health issues that may be exagerated by my weight but not created by it. A few weeks before Christmas I pulled my shoulder in work, Its still hurting and has even increased in pain. it has been almost 4 months since the initial cause and I now have cream that I have been rubbing in for a week with no difference made. My next possible move is an injection into the muscle that only has a 1 in 3 chance on improving it.

I have weak ankles, created from a injury when I was 13, my ankle could give way at any time or I may twist one at any time. This has led me to pull the ligament in my left ankle and twist it so hard it even dislocated. I have never broken either ankle and this is due to the high arch on my feet which makes it really hard for me to break them. This problem has not been helped by my weight, but once again its not the cause either and even if I was normal, I could still easily twist my ankle and when I was a normal size, I still did so frequently.

I fell on my knee onto solid concrete 10 years ago and it has never been right since, it frequently seizes up and causes me so much pain to unseize it that I end up crying. After a long day in work it hurts (and teamed with my ankle this is no picnic). I went to the doctors once and was told it was a genetic condition and was given some anti-inflamitory pills, which did nothing. It also took them 10 years to send me to physio for my ankles and with my shoulder now, I'm not really in any high hopes for a solution any time this decade.

My back is always in pain, even when I don't do anything, its all just varying degrees of pain. I suffer from asthma, which running around all day does not help, but it gets worse in the summer as the heat really gets to my breathing. I suffer from migraines which can lay me up for a day. Constant sleep issues to which I have now (after 15 year) been diagnosed with insomnia, but given nothing to help it. Due to the running around in my job I have developed plantar fasciitis, which is pain in the heel. I tend to have aches and pains, clicks and creaks in most of my joints and I probably have some form of arthritis, but I'm not expecting a diagnosis of any of my problems anytime soon.

So this is me, I live eveyday in pain, some days are easier than others and though I don't have any serious illness that is causing the pain, I wanted to let people out there know that no matter what has caused you pain, if you have any, you should not be afraid to say. I have friends with Fibromyalgia, lupus, early onset arthritis and many other difficulties. Their day to day life is 10times harder than me, but my pain is also 10times worse than others. Also don't be like me, I only go to my doctors when I can't take it any more, because they are inept and nothing ever gets done or I get fobbed off, don't wait or loose faith, your pain could be fixed with the right doctor!

My Week

My week has been good and bad, filled with dread at having to go back to work after just over two weeks holiday. So, what have I done: I've gone out and got drunk, seen Oz the great and powerful, Went to the doctors to find that I am slowly falling apart, gone shopping and bitten all my nails off! Yes that was not the best thing that I have done but it happens.

A pretty slow week in some ways and a great one in others, I have almost finished watching all of Greys Anatomy and I have watched Dollhouse. I have been reading a QI book with lots of random facts and generally doing as little as possible.

20 Facts

Inspire by Laura I thought I would join in on this little post. I find it very had coming up with any interesting facts about myself as to me, it's all just mundane and normal stuff.

I have only ever been abroad once, it was to Malta when I was 6.
I don't like spiders, I have nothing against them being in the world I just don't want them in my home!
When I was in High School I actually kept my tamagotchi pet alive until the end though no one believed me.
Until recently I had too beanie/soft toys. When I packed them up to give to charity they took up 5 black bags! I now have 3 shelves full.
I can remember when a can of coke cost 25p not 70p and when a 500ml bottle cost 50p not £1.10.
I love plants, but can't keep them alive for too long.
I'm a coke girl, not a big fan of pepsi at all.
If I won the lottery I would buy an Aston Martin DB9.
It took me 3 driving instructor to pass my test, not because I was crap, I passed each test on my first go, but I started to learn when I was 18 and then got my own place and couldn't afford it, started again when I was 24 but my instructor kept dragging his heels so eventually I moved somewhere else to be told that I was ready after one lesson and that was that, 8 weeks later I was a full licence holder.
If I had the space and money I would pretty much be a hoarder, I hate throwing anything that may be useful away.
My hair is very fine but I have a lot of it which makes it thick, every hair dresser I've ever gone to has pointed this out, and then moaned that because of this combination it takes a while to dry it.
Things always come in 3s for me, it may sound silly but it does, If I break something I break two other things as well, If I hurt myself I have 2 other pains to endue too.
When it comes to Tea, I like Tetley. I felt this was important in case I'm ever invited for tea.
I have 5 permanent scars, 2 of these are on my face, all but one occurred before I was 11.
When I smile, there is more gum than teeth.
I used to have my belly button pierced, but my body rejected it.
I love the smell of book, the paper, the print the binder glue, there is nothing like it for freshness, besides grass.
I don't have any outstanding talents, but I am good at a number of things.
I could re-read the Harry Potter series over and over and never get bored of it.
and finally...
I used to have a goldfish that had black tips on his fins and tail so I called him Finnmeister and I had two hamster and I called them both Carley because as a child it was my favourite name.

February and into March

February basically consisted of
  Nights out, more than I have in the last 6 months combined,
  Alcohol, more than the last 6 months combined,
  Dancing, more than the last 6 months combined,
  Watching TV Shows, more than the last 6 months combined,
  Cleaning, yup you guessed it more than the last 6 months combined,
yes, there is a pattern forming with my list, February saw me turning 27 and its as if the closer to 30 the more I have sped up my fun, however with funds now unbelievably short, It will be back to almost nothing for a while. I've gotten hooked on Bones and Greys Anatomy and also Storage Wars, which was entirely by accident.

I have gone out with Laura more times than you can count on a hand in one month and our text conversation have reached a all time strangeness, that can no longer be completely explained without some neurological damage.

This month I have laughed and Cried, been worried and relieved and all in all forgotten more than I have remembered! I've been in lots of pain due to lots of different reason and have to wait another week until my doctors appointment. My husband may have sleep apnea  and will have to wait anywhere between 6 months to 2 years to get into the sleep clinic and in the meantime I have to pick up the slack when it comes to his severely ailing memory, Alas I should be thankful for what I have as its a lot better than most, but I feel we all dwell on the bad!

February has had a lot of ups and down and now going into March I can only keep my fingers crossed that the good remains and the bad goes away. May the spring bring more sun and joy.