Mini random update

Sorry for the lack of posts recently..... I'm organising moving out so a bit busy at the moment. I have a couple of products and gadgets I want to share with you having tried them out for a decent amount of time now. I'll hopefully get writing again soon.......

Mini Updates:

• Clinique Chubby sticks - sounds like the UK won't get the release until May/June 2011 - I asked at the counter.

• The T-mobile deal for £15.32 a month 300mins, 300txt, Unlimited internet (3G plans if you sign up before 31st Jan after which is 1G or so I've heard? Mine is still the 3G version)and one booster of your choice which you can change every month is a bargain as you have a choice of fee phones to go with the deal. I got the X8 which I'll review later.... can only say I'm loving it and the new price plan I have -great connections as well. You don't get the cute white version but you get a cool black version taht comes with pure black (sparkly) or midnight to black gradient back cover.....

Sorry couldn't find another picture on the net that showed the color on the back ......

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails with Nylon - Natural Review

I'm always out on the lookout for nail polish that can withstand the tough goings of working in a lab (constant handwashing, contact with harsh conditions, etc) to protect my nails from splitting and make them look and grow better.

I decided to give Sally Hansan's nail varnish a good after reading the reviews online that this helps to strengthen and protect.

I have to say this dries super fast! By the time you've put one layer on all your fingers the hand you started with would be solidly dry. I brought the natural tinted one and I think it makes wearing it by itself really nice because it gives this natural hue/glow to the nails that really brightens it up.

I've used it for two weeks now and so far I think I'm happy with it. The varnish by itself lasts about 4 days before the wear and tear start to show - may be a very small shrinkage starts day 3 but I have very extreme hand regime at work so that probably speeds the wear up.

I have noticed that my nails are less dry/splitting when I remove the polish after a week (though effects might not be that big change by itself  immediately because I did change nail polish remover as well....... but it did seem to help....)

My nails feel very strong but lightweight when I have it on (I use the 2-3 layers recommended). Very easy to apply and doesn't streak. At £4.75 a pop this polish is worth investing it.

Free Nails Inc. Polish when you by two cokes at Boots!

Just saw in a newsletter they are doing it again! Free Nails Inc. polish with 2 cokes at Boots 12th Jan - 15th Feb.  Cool Caramel, Delicious Denim, Perfect Plum and Heavenly Heath Grey.

Will you be grabbing one?

3 High Street MakeUp Remover Reviews

Sorry for the late of updates, I'm currently trying out some new stuff I brought during Xmas/started using after New Year so I wanted to give it a month in before reviewing the products.

Here are three high street brand makeup removers I tried last year that I wanted to give a small review about. BTW I know some only say eye makeup remover but I tend to use it for my whole face.

Neutrogena Deep Clean MakeUp Remover, Refreshing Oil-free Cleansing Lotion:

• Smell: Fresh, not strong scented.
• Texture: Gel-like, not thick not thin
• Feel on face: Fresh, easily spread over face.
• Feel on face after wiping off makeup: Not oily or drying but I would prefer to wash my face as I can still feel residue of something, not totally fresh feel to the face (cleaner but not newly washed clean)
• Strength at removing makeup: Can remove most makeup with one wipe, for really strong waterproof makeup you may need to allow it to soak a bit longer before removing with cotton pads, or may need more than one attempt to fully remove all residues. N.b. so far its one of the strongest high street makeup removers I've tried, but for one or two mascara it still needs to work at it.  
• Other comments: BEWARE if this stuff gets in your eyes you will be crying like a tap. Using it everyday last about 2-3 months - using it to remove little or medium amount of makeup required one to two 1p or 2p coin size amounts for whole face each time.
• Price: £3.56 RRP for 200mL (got mine with slight discount in deal at the time).

N.B Image found on web as original bottled dumped so can't take picture.

Simple Kind to Eyes Eye MakeUp Remover (My favorite at the moment):

• Smell: Maybe a really faint fresh scent if any
• Texture: Water like
• Feel on face: Fresh, water like feel that lasts on the face slightly longer than water does.
• Feel on face after wiping off makeup: Fresh like you've had water naturally dry from your face
• Strength at removing makeup: Can remove most makeup with one wipe, for really strong waterproof makeup you may need to allow it to soak a bit longer before removing with cotton pads or clean twice. N.b. slightly less strong than Neutrogena but not far behind.
• Other comments: Would definitely recommend this to others who like fresh feeling face after using makeup removers as it feels just like you had washed your face with water. One slightly negative comment with this, is its hard to control how much product you use (water like) - I've just ended up slowly letting product soak into cotton pad until I feel it on the other side (forget squeezing the bottle that will just be a fountain of water coming through your cotton pad). Roughly last 2 months (to remove light to medium amount of makeup) using two pads soaked through both sides (2p coin size area on pad) for whole face each time?
• Price: £3.26 RRP for 125mL (Got mine for £1-2 in a deal).

Simple Nourishing Eye MakeUp Remover:

• Smell: Maybe a really faint fresh scent if any
• Texture: Cream like
• Feel on face: Fresh, easy to spread over face.
• Feel on face after wiping off makeup: Feels like you've had cream on your face - not oily oily but some people may not like the residue feel of a cream layer - definitely not drying to the skin.
• Strength at removing makeup: Not the strongest. Light/NOT waterproof makeup may be ok but if you require a strong remover than not this one.
• Other comments: Would only recommend this for those with really dry skin around the eyes and need extra moisturising when removing makeup. Lasts only 1-2months.
• Price: £3.56 RRP for 100mL (Got mine for 2 for £5).

I will be moving onto the L'Oreal Makeup remover once I finish my Simple Kind to Eyes. Update on that when I've tried it out properly.

Garnier Body Tonic Firming Lotion - Review

This cream is one of my holy grails for body skincare. I found it after trying numerous creams, trying to find one that would keep me moisturised but not be too heavy and oily. I've been using it for 3 years now and its still doing its job perfectly!

I have to admit when I first used this cream I was like WTH. The texture of the cream when you squirt it out is just like any other light cream (not thick, not gel like more inbetween... thick water) but once you use it if you haven't used it before you might be a bit taken aback by it. As it kind of 'fizzles' but tightens your skin a little. It is the oddest sensation. But once you've used it again and get used to the feel of the cream it doesn't feel any different and all you notice is a really nice citrus smell and it absorbs into your skin super quick.

I found that this cream works especially well on my arms in that it kept my skin moisturised and seemed to keep those chicken skin like pimply things away (not sure if I had Keratosis Pilaris... but I definitely had small red bumps with little trapped hair on my arm randomly).

I found it usable for winter and summer - maybe more heavy handed in winter and light handed in summer.

I'm not sure about the toning properties of the product that is advertised as I'm not using the product for that purpose. I'm oriental so its probably the usual story that I don't have mature skin and then *kapoof overnight somewhere in my sixties it all appears - so can't test the firming property out at the moment.

I usual stock up when there is an offer (half price etc). At the moment RRP for 400mL is £6 (the last stock I brought was at least half price of that I think). One bottle will last you ages even if you like creaming yourself head to toe (like me). If your looking for a good body moisturiser that isn't thick and heavy on the skin with added perks this could be the one..... 

Leather Jacket from Pull and Bear

My sister finally couldn't resist getting this lovely leather jacket from Pull and Bear sale.

Its actually more sandy than it looks in the picture. But really nice color for winter and spring. The material is super soft and the cutting is very fitted. My sister is usually size 6/8 and she got a Size S.

Think is was down from £70-80 to £46. Not a super bargain but for the quality its really nice and looks like it should last. =D Comes in additional colors black and blue.

Edit: New Pictures in Daylight:

Hoodie from Pull and Bear - I couldn't resist in the end

Remember the supersoft hoodie I mentioned before from Pull and Bear......I couldn't resist the softness in the end.... I got the maroon with grey/blue furry inside one (it was the more colorful one out of the colors available).

Sorry bad picture taken middle of night in room .......=P

Its so warm! I got a size M (28). Its very fitted but with good length sleeves so when you wear it it ends 1/4 way into your hand - keeping them warm. When you have it fully zipped up the neck line is not flat its like a collar that blends into the hood.

£20 down from £30. Not the best bargain available but for the softness I had to give in..... =D

Edit: New Pictures in daylight:

Clinique Blended Face Powder and Brush - 03 Transparency (MF/M) Suitable for all skin types

I went round all the premium counters at Boots trying out all the face powders available to try to find a good but most value for money product to use. (I had points to treat myself to a good face powder)

In the end it was between Urban Decay Razor Sharp, Benefit Hello Flawless and Clinique's Blended Loose Face Powder. All three felt brilliant on the face, natural and all gave a very nice finish without looking cakey or flakey on my dry skin - none of the powders have smells.

Benefit's compact powder in Champagne had the highest coverage but was also the less value for money (7g for £24). I personally preferred using the brush to the sponge they provided (sponge was too heavy handed).

Urban Decay's translucent loose powder was £17 for 12g - it had the least flexible application method due to the puffer that is permanently fixed on the top, even though it gives a less messy application if you travel with the item you have to force it open if you want to use a brush etc.

So I went for the Clinique loose powder as I don't really travel with my powders (I hardly touch up usually only one application in the morning lasts me till I get home) and I don't need that much coverage from my powder (my new found MAC Select Cover provides more than enough cover for blemishes).

For £19 you get 35g of product - in Invisible Blend, Tranparency 2,3,4 or Neutral. I found compared to powders that appear cheaper this is actually cheaper/the same and probably better quality as well. E.g. for Cornsilk loose powder that goes for £8 a pot you actually only get 12g?

Value aside, this loose powder is amazing. it goes on flawlessly for a really nice finish but you don't feel like you have a ton of makeup on. I usually only need to tip the container once to shake out enough powder onto the lid for the whole face. I've used it for a month now and its not irritated my face at all and it doesn't seem like I've used the pot at all either.

It comes with an antibacterial brush (think that was what the lady at the counter said) which is handy. All in all I love this product ....... probably the only complaint would be why they can't think of a selling smaller sizes so if you do want to travel with it you can bring it along without it being so huge and taking over your makeup bag...... oh and the usual mourn of loose powder - not the easiest to bring on travel without causing a mess in your bag......!

I might try their compact powder next or pick up the other two in this review..... if and when I get through this huge bottle.....Lol.... =P

P.s. I'm MAC Select Cover NC20 if that helps with the shade comparison.