Waste Not Want Not

Thought I'd share this tip with you. When I am applying lip balm from a pot I hate the amount of it that is left on my finger. This annoys me no end (I'm easily annoyed lol) so what I have started to do is rub what is left onto my cuticles. So far this has been working well and the cuticles of my left hand are in much better condition now. I just have to remember to apply my lip balm with my left hand now and again so that I can apply the leftovers to my right hand:)


So what beauty tips do you have to save on wastage?

OOTD and FOTD

Today we all went out for dinner in honour of my little boy's 8th birthday on Saturday and my stepdaughter's upcoming 18th birthday in October. I decided to wear a skirt for this momentous occasion. I never wear skirts and probably haven't worn one for years. Thankfully my work uniform consists of trousers. I wore my new denim skirt that I bought in M&S last week (see earlier blog post) and also my new M&S boots. My cardigan, vest top and tights are all M&S too (OMG I must be getting old when I have an entire ensemble from M&S!!). The boots were extemely comfortable and easy to walk in. I felt very feminine wearing a skirt and am now looking forward to wearing it again rather than avoiding skirts like the plague lol!!

My make up was the same as I wore in my recent YT video review of the ELF eyeshadow base. A few people complimented me on it and requested a tutorial which I recorded today. However it's over 10 minutes so I still have a bit of editing to do. Anyway I am wearing:

Face

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in 010

Estee Lauder Cream blusher in Minute Spice

Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder

The Body Shop Blush Trio (the new pinky one from the AW range)

Eyes

Estee Lauder Doublewear Stay In Place Eyeshadow Base

Estee Lauder Doublewear cream shadow (the pink one)

Mac Rose Pigment on lid

Mac Vanilla pigment as highlighter

A Collection 2000 eyeshdaow in the crease

Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Zero

Maybelline Great lash mascara in black

Lips

In the video I had on Mac Underage Lipglass but here I am wearing my new favourite lipstick Nars Venice

Haircut and Quick Makeup

I got my hair cut on Thurs and this is the result. Ok it's basically the same cut I always get but the hairdresser dried it to the wrong side. I was going to stop her but then I thought what the heck. It's nice to try something slightly different. I have to say I do like it but it took a wee while to get used to having more hair over the left side of my face rather than the right. I will probably go back to the normal parting once I have washed it. I am such a creature of habit lol:)

I am also wearing my quick make up face. This consists of me hurriedly applying the following:

Face:

Avon Magix as a base

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation (my new fave)

Estee Lauder cream blusher

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Wet 'n Wild Mega Glow on my cheeks

Eyes:

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Eyeshadow Base

Mac Paint Pot in Rubenesque over the lid with the Rimmel powder on top to set

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Black

Lips

Nars Sheer Lipstick in Venice

What is your failsafe quick makeup?

Marks and Spencer Haul

I decided to treat myself to a few non make up related goodies in Marks and Spencer today:) I saw a few of these items yesterday in a different M&S but resisted the urge to splurge. However with 24hrs to think about it I decided I needed a few of the things I had seen.

First up we have this denim skirt. I have been after a denim skirt for a long time and all the ones I have seen have been just a tad too short for a lady of my age:( So when I saw this yesterday it was love at first sight. It is a good "sensible" length, coming to just above my knees. I will be wearing it with black opaque tights. It is part of the new Indigo range and I have to say there are quite a few items from this range that I have my eye on but I must be good and resist lol.

The skirt cost £25 and comes with a belt. I think it will look great with my next purchase. I am not normally a skirt wearer but I have decided I should start wearing skirts. We shall see lol.



Next are these boots. These are also love at first sight. These boots are totally me. I'm sure I will get lots of wear out of them either with leggings or the skirt.

I was originally eyeing up a pair of knee highs yesterday but when I saw these today I just had to have them. They are £29.50 and also come in brown.

They come to a couple of inches above the ankle and have a bit of a heel on them. Not too high that I'll break my neck in them but a height that I'll be able to walk easily in. I definitely dress for comfort first.

Finally I spied these jeans which are also part of the Indigo range. I love the colour of these and the fit. I tried these on in the shop and they looked great on. They are boot cut and sit just below the waist. They cost £15 which I think is an absolute bargain!!

I'm in love with M&S right now. I'm such a granny lol! Do you like M&S clothing? What items do you love from there?

FOTD

Here is my face of today.

I am wearing:

Face

Avon Magix as a base (the original one not the tinted one)

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light Foundation in 1.0

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Estee Lauder Cream Blush (as a blush base)

Wet 'n Wild Mega Glow on my cheeks with the bronze part only used as a contour

Eyes

Estee Lauder Stay in Place Eyeshadow Base

Estee Lauder Cream Shadow (the pinky one)

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Eyeshadow in 23 Berry Ice and 13 Pale Moon

Gosh Velvet Touch Eyeliner in Metallic Brass

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Black

Lips

Carex

I love the glow that I get from the Wet 'n Wild Mega Glow. This is such an awesome product. I'm also loving the Gosh Velvet Touch eyeliner at the minute. These are so creamy and apply so easily, no drag, and they last all day:)

A Drink For Dry Skin

I suffer from dry skin and I'm on the eternal search for an amazing product that will hydrate my skin. I am a big fan of Clinique (I have been for many many many many years lol) and I recently got a sample sample of Moisture Surge Extra in a Clinique Bonus Time. For anyone who doesn't know what Clinique Bonus Time is where have you been?!! lol Bonus Time is when Clinique run a special promotion whereby you receive a goody bag or box with any 2 purchases. I am a complete Bonus Time addict and always wait for one to be on near me before I purchase anything. Details of future Bonus Times can be found here: http://www.clinique.co.uk/stores_events/se_bonus_time.tmpl



What Clinique say:

"Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief


All Skin TypesNew and improved formula offers longer hydration for up to 12 hours. With new micor-molecules Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief allows quicker and more efficient moisturisation.

Gives an immediate moisture boost and plumps up skin's resistance to fine, dry lines. Moisturises and soothes dry skin; intensifies benefit of moisturiser. Instantly refreshes skin; leaves it feeling smoother and softer. Calms skin. Comfortable and versatile for all skins; lightweight; absorbs quickly. Helps protect against environmental irritants.Use after 3-Step Skin Care (and following your favourite Clinique booster lubricant) for an immediate moisture boost. Can be applied daily. Pat all over face. Apply throughout the day as needed, even over makeup. Use as refreshing, moisture-intensive 5-minute mask."


I have been loving this stuff as a night time treatment. I use my regular cleanser, toner and moisturiser and leave the moisturiser to sink in for about 5 minutes. Then I apply the Clinique Moisture Surge. It is like a gel and it applys really nicely and sinks into the skin well. It's marketed as "thirst relief" and it really is just like giving your skin a drink. It feels instantly hydrated and soft. I have used this in the past but I think that Clinique have improved the formulation.

It is pricey though at £30 for 50ml but it will last a long time as a little goes a long way (depending on how you use it of course). I think it is worth the price tag and have already purchased a jar in preparation for my sample running out.

I think I want to try Youth Surge next. I'm hoping for a free sample in a future Bonus Time:)

Have you tried this or any other of the Clinique skin care products? What are your thoughts?

Review- No17 High Gloss Nail Polish in Risky Red

This is the colour I was sporting in my recent YT video "How To Paint Your Nails Red". Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Wfmuei88A




What Boots say:

"17 High Gloss Nail Polish is a high shine, colour intense polish for maximum impact in a variety of shades."

This stuff is amazing, especially for the price and it comes in such a wide variety of colours there must be one to suit every person and every mood.

It costs £2.91 and quite often Boots have offers or free gifts on the No17 range. Currently it is a free bronzing kit when you spend £5.

I wore this for 5 days (yes 5 days!!) before a chip appeared. It was the tiniest chip I have ever seen and it probably wouldn't have mattered on a less colourful nail polish but on this gorgeous red it was glaringly obvious. I have never had this long out of a nail polish before although I am quite hard on my nails. This time I "looked after" them mostly by not washing any dishes. This would be my biggest downfall and the reason my nail polish tends to not last too long.

This is definitely well worth checking out and would be a great colour for a Christmas party:) A little early I know but anyway...

Have you tried any of the No17 nail polishes? What is your favourite colour?