Tiramisu! Value but absolutely delicious!

I love Tiramisu! They are just gorgeous desserts that don't require an oven to make which is perfect! One thing I'm really particular about them is the alcohol they use to make it with. Most of the time I'm cool with Tia Maria as it gives it the extra coffee flavour without the bitterness from alcohol.

If you like me and you want to enjoy this dessert for the lovely coffee and sweet taste but rather not have a strong alcohol after taste, the Tiramisu they sell in Lidl for only 80-90p (2 per pack) is perfect for a lunch snack.

Be warned the Marsala wine used in it doesn't have the typical bitter aftertaste BUT you can still definitely feel the alcohol in the dessert. So if your a light weight like me .......better eat your meal then have this little gem of a dessert. ^_^

Karas The Prophecy (2006) and Karas The Revelation (2007)

For mecha and action anime lovers. This is one to watch. This two part anime has really gorgeous fighting scenes which make up for the weird storyline that only makes sense after watching the 2nd half as well.

Never the less its one to watch.

Bourjois Smokey Eye Trios - Mordore Chic, Vert Trendy and Violet Romantic

With 3 for 2 at Superdrugs and Boots I had to grab myself these lovely eyeshadows from Bourjois. I'm a right sucker for eyeshadow even though I only wear it when I really want to make an effect. =P

There are about 8 different trios available but I picked these three to try and I love them. The shadows are very pigmented. For all the swatches that was only one touch. It stays on very well for the whole day even without primer. The powders are quite 'creamy' and blends very well. In each of the sets they have a dark liner color, an over color and a light highlighter color which is perfect for taking out to do smokey eyes without having a massive palette in your bag - well for lazy people like me anyway.

Mordore Chic

Has a rich mocha, light hazel and cream color. all shimmery. Pefect for everyday smokey eyes or just to give the eyes a light warm glow of color if using only one of the colors by themselves.

Vert Trendy:

 Has a deep 'seaweed' green, a rich forest green and a nice light cream green - all shimmery. Great for those with brown eyes or want a punch of color with an difference.

Violet Romantic: My favorite!!!!!!

Has a deep imperial purple, a light lilac and a bright pearl white - all shimmery. This is the best color, for really sexy eyes or cute fun look, great for all year round.

I definitely recommend to get with the 3 for 2 offers going on or discounted to £4 at ASOS at one point. They usually cost £7.99 each.

I'll probably try Gris Dandy next (Silver, Grey, Black). If I can get over my obsession for the Mermaid Palette from Frontcover.

Corn Silk Translucent Powder

I've heard a lot about this powder from my mate. Will probably try it next ( I just treated myself to Clinique's Blend It Loose Powder using my Boots points - will review later). But for those of you who are having trouble finding it in UK I did spot it at the Boots inside Liverpool station. It was on the bottom shelf in one of the cream shelves.

There was the Original Satin (Loose and Compact) and the Semi-Matt Loose version. All priced at £7.99.

Clinique Long Lasting Glosswear SPF15 - Air Kiss (10)

I got this as part of a gift set for buying stuff from Clinique and its one of the best freebies I've ever got from them.

Not only has it got SPF so great for summer, the gloss also goes on very smoothly and I really like the texture of it. The Air Kiss color is a lovely summer pink. giving the lips a nice dash of color without being too over powering. The finish is a very healthy shine. This does need reapplying may be once or twice a day but doesn't dry out the lips - but I do tend to eat anything on my lips so it may have better staying power than I think?

Though be warned as with most lipgloss this is sticky compared to lipstick - but it doesn't stick too badly that you have hair in you mouth in windy weather.

.
Definitely recommend for those who love natural but cute color lipgloss and want to have some SPF protection during the summer. My 3mL sample is lasting me quite a while so £13 for a full price 6mL one can be quite a value for money choice for a good lipgloss.

P.s. I find putting on vaseline before any lipgloss always has a better effect and lasting power. =D

Anna Sui Super-Black Volume Up Mascara (001)

My lovely mate V got me Anna Sui's Super Black Volume Up Mascara as a pressie when I visited her in HK. I've never used it before but I loved it since I tried it! ^_^

I've got very typical Oriental eyelashes straight canopy like ones right over my eyes in a downward direction.

                                   Before curling                   After curling

It definitely gives me some volume but more impressively is the lengthening it gives! It can hold my curls once I've curled them with a curler but won't do much for uncurled lashes. It doesn't smudge for me as long as I give it enough time to dry before I start battering my eyelids - it doesn't take too long to dry.

                               One coat                               Two coats

 The packaging is amazing with really nice design. The wand is a slim line straight one making it very easy to do the little lashes. No clumping even when putting on two coats. I'm not sure its water waterproof but so far its withstood rain and tears.

I would recommend this to those who like natural but cute glamorous eyes. It won't give 'falshies' effect but definitely gives volume and length to those challenged in the lashes department. It is quite pricey, RRP seems to hover around £20. But I have to say I usually only use one coat so it lasts for me, making it a bit more value for money - hasn't dried out long after the recommended 6M dump date.

It is a very nice choice for a gift, as the box (I've dumped so can't photograph) it comes in is also very pretty.

Oh and its got a very nice fragrance to it. ^_^

P.s. I tried my best to catch the effect it has on lashes but I don't think my camera phone gave the mascara justice. But hopefully it gave some ideas. ^_^

Biotherm - Biosource Softening Cleansing Foam - Dry Skin Review

Tried out the cleansing foam sample I got from Biotherm when I brought their cream.

Always ask for samples when you buy something from the counters, if your lucky they will pile you with samples even if you only buy 1 item under £10!!!! The guys at House of Fraser gave me 6 masks and cleansing foam samples, a toner sample & random satchels of cream samples cause he was opening them at the time - even though I only brought one set of cream for £9.90. ^_^

I tried this sample for two days now. So far so good. Skin feels clean, fresh but not tight right after washing. And it seems to help keep my skin soft and not dry, with no outbreak or irritation so far. You only need to use a pea size to make a nice light foam all over the face - seems to be a gentle cleanser with a nice light soapy fragrance.

I haven't tried it on a full face of makeup as I only used it to clean face after roughly taking the majority off with Simple's eye makeup remover (will review later). It seems to remove the remaining makeup very well though. *******Will update if I end up using it on a full face of makeup.

Usually this would cost £15 for 150mL. I reckon that would last quite a while so could work out good value but may seem pricey for others - there is the L'Oreal Clean Perfect for Dry Skin alternative I've already reviewed if you rather a more affordable alternative? There are always offers at the Biotherms in Boots (points offers or bargain gift sets) so you can always try first by getting a sample and then waiting for a good deal before you get it in full size if you like it. ^_^ Would recommend to those with dry skin.

N.b there is a normal and combination skin version but I don't use them, you can always as for those samples to suit you skin type if you want to try it out.

Cute winter coat from Jane Norman

SL brought me a lovely coat from Jane Norman as Anni pressie. Its absolutely gorgeous! Its multi-beige color with easy fastenings (and hidden buttons if you want to use them). The hood fits snuggley if you want to keep your ears warm.

(Pictures copied from Jane Norman website cause a bit hard to take full length picture of myself wearing it with a phone)

Its great for the figure type fitted fit with 41% wool so definitely keeping me warm but not flustered on Tube journeys. ^_^  Its also got handy pockets to keep hand warm.SL got me the multi-beige color - casual yet cute. There is a blue/grey mix version that has grey/bluish fur instead if you prefer a more classic and smart version.

Full price its £90 but with the sales round the corner if your looking out for a good winter coat this may be one to keep an eye on. ^_^. 

Oh sizing wise I'm an average 5ft 6in girl, usually UK size 8 and the Jane Norman Size 8 for this coat was just right for me (fit and length of coat is as seen in the mannequin picture). For some reason I found the grey version had a more snug fit than the brown ones, so if you like to layer up in winter, sizes in the brown version may give you more room to do that than the grey version.

Appleseed EX Machina - finally a sequel to Appleseed!

OMG love this sequel!!!!!!!! The graphics so cool and the story line not half bad! Finally got to see Briareos and Deunan's past a bit. =D



Lol. All three of them are so cute/sweet =P (Won't spoil it too much for those who haven't seen it.)

This movie follows on from where Appleseed ended. Deunan and Briareos are still in ESWAT protecting Olympus. The world is rebuilding and Olympus is the center of this movement. Strange occurrences with 'malfunctioning' cyborgs are puzzling the team. A new member Tereus joins and he has 'uncunning' similarities to the Briareos before the war. A hidden threat is growing and the team has to battle with the obvious and the unknown to save the peace that has budded from being destroyed. ******Won't ruin the plot anymore.

It's full of humor, action and emotions. For anime lovers this is one to watch!

P.s the dubbing isn't bad for once!

Clinique Cream Liner, Lancome ArtLiner and Bourjois Liner Feutre

Having tried and tested numerous black eyeliner to find ones that work for my Asian eyes I'm going to share the three that have worked for me for different styles.

1: Clinique Brush On Cream Liner in True Black, £13 per pot. Brought it full price but don't regret.

Tried this one after hearing its smudge-proof and good texture reviews. For me this is the creme-de-la-creme. The texture is smooth and easy to apply, a little product goes a very long way, really solid color when applied.

Product dries quickly on the eyelid but in the pot it has stayed moist. For my lids at least it doesn't smudge and has very good staying power. It comes with a little brush which is fine for short-term use but because the pot lasts so long I brought a separate No.7 precision eyeliner brush for £1.50 (usually £6.50 per brush but I brought with £5 off boot voucher). I find this cream liner just as easy to apply as liquid and pencil liners.

Definitely my number 1 recommend for a black eyeliner - great for any type of lining just depends on how much you use and how you brush it on =D.

 2: Lancome Artliner, usually £19.50 - I got mine at the airport for £15?

This liner is great for fine/precise work. As a liquid liner it can be handy and easy to make very fine lines and angled lines with its felt-tip shape dip brush - though its one of the thicker and more 'paint' like type. You need to be patient and give it a bit more time to dry compared to the other two liners mentioned.

Very vivid smooth color when dried. Staying power is ok but can crack a little by the end of the day or if you don't let it dry enough when applying. But it doesn't smudge. I've heard how some people's have dried up quickly. But mine is still fine and lasting. Pricey so only recommend for serious fans of big dramatic solid cat eyes.


3: Bourjois Liner Feutre, usually £5.99 - I got mine for £5 at Superdrug.

Also a felt-tip brush liquid liner. More felt-tip like texture than the Artliner. Easy control, dries instantly. Strong color but more natural looking black. Also very good for fine lining. Stays for the day but color may not be as vivid at the end of the day without top up - but I like that for natural looks so not a problem for me. Recommend as more reasonably priced liquid liner that is good for natural gentle looks.


N.b. Waterproof????? I'm not sure any of the three are waterproof but for everyday crying and rain none of these have failed me. They've all have stayed put. But I haven't gone swimming with them so I can't say if they are waterproof.

Essential products in your handbag - Vaseline

Vaseline is one of the things that I can't not have in my bag. They are just life savers for your lips. I have personal favourites out of the ones they make.

The green one with Aloe Vera and the Lip Essence Advance I found whilst in HK (haven't seen this being sold in Europe). These two are just right for my lips to keep them soft but not oily and doesn't irritate my lips. The yellow one with SPF doesn't agree with my lips.

Personally I think they should all be sold in the tubey form like the Lip Essence - bit more hygienic when using during the day - rather than sticky your finger into a pot?

When I was last in Sainsbury I did spot some lipstick shaped Vaseline so maybe that's their first step towards squeezey tube in Europe? If I get round to trying them out I'll review to see if they are as good as the original product in the pots or the tubey alternative they have in Asia.

P.s. Had to share this huge vaseline I found in the gift section, its a perfect joke present! It put a smile to my face when I saw it! Its as big as a bag of walker crisps!

Cost of Products:

• Lip Therapy with Aloe Vera - usually £0.99.
• Vaseline Intensice Care Lip Essence Advance - $12.40HKD I think this worked out to be just under £1? P.s. this 10mL tubey has lasted me a year and still going strong - not gone off and still product left!
• Huge Vaseline Lips (with 4 of its lip therapy normal size inside - 2 pink, 1 blue and 1 yellow) - at Superdrug for £5.99, bit expensive for vaseline but that big container is worth it! =P

Sleek True Color LipStick Fushia 833 & Maybelline Color Sensational Pink Pearl 108 Review

I'm not a really lipstick person, cause I find it hard looking for ones that don't dry out my lips. I had a go at Maybelline's Color Sensational in Pink Pearl. The color was cute sheer shimmery pink on the lips but it was drying and didn't really apply smoothly enough for me. So I wouldn't recommend.

When I was getting my contour kit from Sleek I decided to have a go at their lipstick range and tried some of the samples at the counter. They were so pigmented and smooth to put on (oh the packaging is decent as well, slick matt black design)! Out of the range I decided to go for the Fushia (something I don't usually do - bright colors).

 It is a VERY bright color. But very pretty. Personally I always put a layer of Vaseline first before I put on any lipstick (I use the one with Aloe Vera or Lip Essense Advance - will review later). To me this lipstick doesn't dry my lips out like the Maybelline did.  The picture below is just one smooth layer of application (even for a novice like me I only had to follow the line of my lips and draw once for that color.

Because the color is so bright for day to day I like to pat the color away a bit with tissue (after one application) and then put my favorite lip gloss (Clinique with SPF 15 in Air Kiss - will review later) over it to make it into a more wearable daily pink, whilst still adding beautiful color to my lips.

                            Pat down                                With Lip gloss

I definitely recommend the Sleek Fushia to all ladies who like a bit of color. Others in the range also look beautiful but may be harder to pull off without a tan (I'm a bit pale having lost all my tan from the Summer already so I'm not brave enough to try the other colors yet).


Cost of Products:

• Maybelline Colors Sensational in Pink Pearl 108: £6.99 in high street. I think I got mine for £4.99 worth of boots points.
• Sleek True Color in Fushia: Got mine for full price at Superdrug for £3.69! Bargain if you ask me. =D
• Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF15 in Air Kiss: usually £13 for 6mL, I got mine (2-3mL) as part of a gift set for buying their products.

Evanescence - rediscovered

Never realised who sang the brilliant heart wrenching songs when I first heard them back in the days. Turned out to be Evanescence!

Amy Lee has so much soul in all her songs - wonderful lyrics and melodies  =D

Check her out:

Sleek Face Contour Kit - 884 Light

Having lost my summer tan I thought it would be lovely to have some color back into my face and to have some cheek bones that I never was born with. So I decided to search around for a cheap and cheerful bronzer to play with.

The final two contestants was Bourjois's Chocolate bronzer (smelt gorgeous even through the packet), Sleek's Face Contour Kit and the L'Oreal's Glam Bronzer.

Having read all the hype and bonus of having a bronzer and highlighter in one I decided to go for Sleek.

The packaging is very solid and pretty slick for a budget brand. The product itself hasn't got the best smell ever though - especially since I've had a sniff of the Bourjois Chocolate bar. The smell is a bit industrial but only in the kit not when its applied to the face.

Application is smooth but maybe I'm a lot paler now so even in the lightest kit offered in the range I have to slowly layer thin layers on to get to the right shade - without looking like I've been tangoed. When the bronzer and highlighter is used to contour and define the cheeks with a hint of blusher (any) the effect is very nice and really gives a nice glow to the face.

Fun and value for money alternative to start contouring with - it comes with simply instructions on contouring.

Price of Sleek Contour Kit: £5.99 at Superdrugs.

Discover Dogs! So much fun thanQ SL!

Such a fun day at the dog show! So many adorable, clever and well behaved dogs! Saw kawaii Maltese! But discovered loads of cute dogs that I also like.... bit stuck on which type to get now XP

             Eurasier                                     Can't remember what this breed is called.

                                          

Pyrenean Mountain Dog - so chilled!

                Cute three legged Pomeranian                 Maltese

Strange lady staring at me ..... Can't remember what this ones called but it was so cute!

Tibetan Spaniel, Chow Chow and German Spitz all so cute!

The events a really good start to finding out which breed you like and suit you from the pro breeders there. There's also some very cute stores for dogs toys, clothes etc. Next one 12-13th November 2011.

P.s. Camera photos thanks to SL's quick thinking to bring his but..... had to take flash off so blurry pics.....

L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti Shine Mattifying Primer Review

I've got dry skin usually but during the summer with the heat (if any in UK - usually on the tube) or on holiday I can get slightly oily. Being nosey when the Studio Secret range came out I decided to try the sample at the counters for the anti-shine just for fun.

Amazingly it worked! I had to buy the product even if it wasn't on offer. The primer really does mattify and gives you oil free skin without feeling dry etc. After applying on oil prone areas it not only makes it into a matt surface it is also supper smooth. So far everytime I use it its done that without causing anything bad to happen to my skin. The pumps quite controllable and a little product goes a very long way =D

And I tried it on my other half who has oily skin (he was like WTH is that for, so I had to show him and he was like wowwwwww........of course he didn't know how much that small 20mL tube costed....LoL.) Definitely recommend. Though if its a bit pricey at full price then I suggest waiting for L'Oreal's 3 for 2  or alike offers before you get it.

N.b. Sorry no sample picture as its winter I don't have oily skin so can't show you the instant change when you use the product.

Cost of Products:

• L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Shine Mattifying Primer: High street price £9.99 usually - unfortunately I got it for full price for this one as I couldn't wait =P 

Boujois DuoChrome Vert Dore (61) and Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Topaz Review

I love green eye makeup but never been brave enough to try. Decided to take the plunge when I saw the duchrome eyeliner on sale at ASOS.

So glad I brought it. The color is so gorgeous! Its a shimmery lush green with a hint of lime/yellow gold under certain light. You can use it as an eyeliner or eyeshadow all over your lids.

I tend to use it as an inbetween (as I'm normally mono lid but if I get tired I turn small double lid....) =P The color goes on really smoothly. It doesn't really smudge but you may need to touch up or use a primer for the rich color to stay all day.

After watching one of Michelle Phan's makeup tutorials I had to get my hands on a peachey color eyeliner. I have always used the white liner to try to brighten my eyes but it sometimes does look awkward and unnatural. The one she used in the video was the Topaz by Stila. Sadly Stila seemed to have disappeared from  UK in store (use to be sold at Debenhams). Online I found it at Cheapsmells (later it became available at Argos online as well).

This eyeliner is also very soft and smooth to apply. And it looks pretty too. ^_^

When you use it it gives a very subtle but fresher feel to the eyes (excuse the pictures taken at night in my dingy room....). Ok staying power without primer etc. But even if it smudges it blends in with the skin color so not noticable. Stays for the day but color not as bright as it was in the morning without a topup, but definitely a lovely alternative to the typical white eyeliner.

Cost of products:

• Bourjois DuoChrome Vert Dore (61) - Usually £4.29 or so on the high street. I got mine for £2 in ASOS sale.
• Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Topaz - usually about £10? I got mine for £3.62 plus £1.95 delivery at CheapSmells. Argos online is £4.99 not including delivery.