Payday Treats! Vol II

This month, I decided to try some 17 products as I haven't before and maybe because they were 3 for 2 at Boots! As I am experiencing what can only be described as a lipstick binge lately and as I was instantly attracted to the shiny packaging (I swear I was a magpie in a past life). I picked up two "Mirror Shine" lippies...

L: Peace I thought this sheer coral colour would be a good place to begin to experiment away from pink. The colour looks scary in the tube, but it is a peachy pink when swatched. Very wearable and very cute!

R: Flirtini As I have been using this lipstick in the past couple of days, it somehow has got smushed in my handbag. :o( However it truly is a lovely hot pink with silver shimmer through.

** Just for reference, I would not describe these as full on lipsticks, as the consistency and longevity is closer to that of a gloss. However they are very moisturising and a dream to apply. Gloss-stick?**

Both avaliable here.

What possessed me to purchase 5 lipglosses in one day? God only knows, anyway they are all very lovely :o)

Click to enlarge, to see swatches etc.

 L-R Sally Hansen Diamond 12hr Lip Treatment in 'Promise' This gloss claims to act like a balm and moisturize lips for up to 12 hours.. hmm, we shall see! Love the packaging and sparkly deep pink colour, however the applicator is not fantastic as the fibres look like they are static or something. On the plus side, it smells exactly like Malibu (the drink), that's always a plus! Avaliable here.

No7 Liplicious in 'Sherbet Twist' After I bought my 17 products, I was given a €7.50 off No7 voucher. Instead of getting myself a free eyeliner or something as usual, I decided to try out a No7 gloss. This contains SPF15 which is always good. It is a mid-pink with gold shimmer, I like! Avaliable here.

Rimmel Kiss Off in 'Wild at Heart' A genuine hot pink with what appears to be a blue undertone. Pleasantly surprised by the applicator. Overall I'm gonna put it out there and compare this to a MAC Dazzleglass. 

Maybelline Shine Seduction in 'Pink Whisper' A sheer pale pink with iridescent shimmer. Nice twist up applicator, not very pigmented though.

17 Ultimate Volume Gloss in 'Peach Melba' I got this whilst thinking it would go on perfectly with the 17 Peace lippie above. However, I think it will look even better over Sellout below... 

 This is a prime case of when one is just not enough! 

Urban Decay Lipstick (Classic Collection)

Sellout - A reddish nude.

Jilted- A plum-ish hot pink with blue shimmer.

Both of these shades are highly pigmented. Beautiful packaging and attention to detail! Full review to come :o)

That's it for my payday haul this month! As I have said before, there is no better way to celebrate a payday than shopping! 

Love, H xoxo

This Makes Me Sad! Why oh why No7??

 Over a year ago, I found my "Holy Grail" make up product.

It all began when one day, after poisoning my poor teenage skin with the pore-clogging Elizabeth Arden compacts for literally years, I  felt that a time for change had arrived! Initially I borrowed my mums bottle of No7 Protect and Perfect foundation and liked it, so I tottered off down to boots to buy my own bottle. The lovely lady on the counter told me that foundation was aimed towards older skin, so she introduced me to my Saviour that is No7 Intelligent Balance Mousse Foundation. The reasons why I adore this foundation are endless; it doubles up as concealer (both blemishes and under eye circles) without much cakey-ness and it's light yet with good coverage. Hell I even bought my MAC 187 to use with this foundation, as it was specially recommended for me. I even keep it in two shades, Almond and Tan, so I can mix them to find my shade to match exactly how much false tan I am wearing that day.

L-Tan, Almond
R- Almond, Tan - Swatched lightly (Excuse random scribble on my hand!)

Now, imagine my horror when I popped into Boots the other day to buy some more, when the lady at the counter said the dreaded D-Word. Yes, discontinued. I think my mouth fell to the ground at that point, so she told me she had a couple of each left, she had no Almond, but four Tan pots left. So I did what any reasonable person would have done...

Thank God that No7 3 for 2 was on that day! :o)

From seeing how appalled I was at the loss of my favourite foundation ever (I assume), the lady gave me a rather generous sample of a new foundation she thought I might like, the Beautifully Matte foundation...

 All very good and well but I liked the mousse consistency, and to be honest I need coverage that a liquid foundation cannot give.

BIG mistake No7!

Have any of you lost a product you love to the dreaded D-word? Share your experiences below, I know that together we can all work through the pain. Sob.

Hannah xoxo

Products I'm Using Right Now...

I spotted this post on LilyLipstick and thought I would give it a go! :o) Another of my guilty blog reading pleasures...

Face
Cleanser: Garnier Skin Naturals Clean Soft Cleansing Milk (For Dry and Sensitive skin- rose extract)
Toner: Garnier Skin Naturals Toner
Cream moisturizer: Garnier's Skin Naturals Essentials Day Moisturizer for dry and sensitive skin (previouly raved about here)
Exfoliator: Garnier Fresh Essentials Scrub
Eye Make up remover: Garnier Skin Naturals Eye Make Up remover.

**You may have noticed a pattern in my skin care routine, I am a huge fan of Garnier Skin Naturals Line. A full review of each product will be posted this week.**

Body
Shower gel: Original source Tea Tree and Lemon shower gel (I love anything "fresh" feeling!)
Body lotion/cream: Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula (the scent is unbeatable, if you put this on before you go to sleep, you will wake up with chocolate-scented pyjamas!)
Hand cream: Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour cream (Thanks to my mum, I am a convert)
Lip Balm: Top Shop balm (mentioned here). Honorable mention to my long term love, Carmex.
Perfume: Difficult question, toss up between Marc Jacobs Daisy and Miss Dior Cherie.

Hair
Shampoo/conditioner: Osmo Silverising Purple Shampoo (Toner) once per week to maintain brightness, Aussie "Take the Heat" shampoo and conditioner.
Protection: Tresseme Heat protection spray
Hair mask: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Colour Deep Treatment, smells like peaches! Yum.

Hair Spray/Mousse: Both Tresseme Salon Finish (pink label)

Electronics: GHD straightener and Babyliss Thermo Ceramic hot rollers.

Make-Up
Primer: Yet to believe in this product as a whole, I need some recommendations. Maybe you could help? Comment away!
Foundation: No7 Intelligent Balance Mousse Foundation
Concealer: No need for it at the moment. I usually double up my foundation if required.
Powder: Just bronzer at the moment, MAC Bronzing powder in Matte Bronze.
Blush/Bronzer: MAC powder blush in Fleur Power or Benefit Posie Tint.
Lipstick: All time favourite has to be Angel by MAC.
Lipgloss: Lancome Juicy Tubes in Fraise.
Eyeshadow: Barry M trio in Golden Goddess- a great every day product.
Eyeliner: Collection 2000 Kohl liner in Black (cheap and cheerful!)
Eyeshadow Primer: See "primer" :o)
Eye lash curler: No idea of the brand! Just a drugstore one, work just fine!
Mascara: L'Oreal Telescopic

Image courtesy of WeHeartIt.com

**Many products here are mentioned in this post, with pictures!**

Just a Note: I have made the decision to change the name of this blog to "Hello Beautiful". I believe it applies more to the type of blog this is. The URL was unavailable so I have added 61 to the end. This coincides with the YouTube user name I have reserved in the event that I decide to start making videos! I hope you like the change as much as I do, however I would love to hear your opinion!

Contact me:

Twitter: @hannahbanana661

Blog: http://hellobeautiful61.blogspot.com

E-Mail: hellobeautiful.gmail.com

Formspring: HelloBeautiful6

Follow my blog with bloglovin

:o)

MAC 187: How I Use Mine

The MAC 187 was the very first "expensive" brush I ever bought. It cost £29.50 and I purchased it from Selfridges on a trip to Manchester this summer. Extensive research went into my buying of this brush, as I have bought several make up brushes in the "classic" shape, just like the MAC 190, and have been extremely dissatisfied by it. I found my make-up got clumped in the fibers too quickly both wasting product and requiring constant cleaning. Grrr. :(

I have quite bad skin in that it's all different colours, pink/reddish and yellow-ish in areas,

as well as extremely sensitive. After effectively making my skin oily and spotty for years using Elizabeth Arden compacts, I switched to No.7 (UK brand available in Boots) Mousse foundation in Almond. I highly recommend it as it combines coverage with the foundation without being heavy on the skin. I must point out, though, it is NOTHING like Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse.. *shudders*

Plus, bargain price also of €15! It can be a little cakey if applied with your fingers but it's perfect with a brush. Enter my beloved 187.

The official MAC blurb is:

"A large full circular brush used for lightweight application and blending of face powder or pigments. Use to create soft layers or add textures. Made from a soft blend of goat and synthetic fibres."

- www.MacCosmetics.co.uk

The lovely white bristles on the brush do not remain perfectly white for long at all though, regardless of extensive cleaning! :(

Anyway this is how I make maximum use of my 187, for both foundation and blush - in one sitting!

Firstly I apply the foundation to the brush, then apply to my face.

Then, I take my pack of Primark Beauty 4 in 1 Deep Facial Cleanising Wipes

*N.B. I would never use these wipes to remove make-up or on my face in any way. I tried them one weekend when I had no cleanser with me. Major breakout alert! I think they're far too harsh on skin (they even smell all chemical-ly) yet at the bargain price of €1.50 (£1?) for a two pack they are perfect for cleaning brushes.

Then I just wipe the remaining product off my brushes using them.

You'd be seriously surprised about the amount of product remaining. Imagine if that was carried over to your next application- stale make up... Yuck!

Next, I have two choices. If I want a bright cheek colour I keep the brush in its damp state and apply my blush to it. If I'm going for a more demure look I rub the brush against a towel to dry it.

*The shade used in the picture is MAC powder

blush in Fleur Power.

Then repeat the process with a fresh wipe.

Hopefully one day I will be able to purchase the 188, a mini version of the 187 for my blush *sighs*... until then... :o).

Cheeky!!

Hannah xxxxx