Showing posts with label Benefit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Benefit. Show all posts

Sunday, January 29

What's In My Handbag? + MUA shenanigans

Hi Beauties!

I am reaaallly looking forward to having a bath later with my new Lush Sunnyside bubble bar; I don't know what it is, I've just been so tired lately! Anyway, I thought that today I'd show what I generally lug around with me day-to-day, as I love reading these posts on other blogs (so nosy!). I bought this just after Christmas from Warehouse for  £45, in exchange for a £75 bag my mum got me that was too small (leaving me with £30 for some shorts :)).



I love it as it's big enough to fit an A4 folder and all of my other 'essentials', and is simple enough to go with all of my everyday clothes without being boring. On to the contents:



Sainsbury's Travel Tissues (£1.35) - I hate being without these, so I have packs in my bags, in my car, by my bed... everywhere!

Johnson's Baby Skincare Wipes, fragrance-free (£2.54) - I work with kids, who can be sticky, and I'm so clumsy I'm usually spilling something.

Purse - I don't know where this is from or how old it is as I found it at the back of mum's wardrobe, so it was probably a great-aunt/uncle's. I've been using it for years, so it's a bit tatty now, but it is the perfect purse and will be hard to replace :(.

JVC Pink Gumy Headphones (£7.99) - Not the greatest headphones in the world, but perfectly adequate, and easily available as you can just pop them in your trolley at the supermarket.

Vaseline Creme Brulee (£2.99) - This is so yummy! It tastes of spiced vanilla as well as having all the usual goodness of vaseline. Sadly, it's limited edition, so I don't know if it's still available!

Benefit Some Kind-a Gorgeous Lite (£23.50) - I'm not the biggest fan of this to be honest, but I will use it up. It changes from cream to powder, toning down my incredibly shiny face, but I find it can be quite patchy and obvious, and the smell is so off-putting!

Chocolate :) - For on-the-go emergencies.


River Island Sunglasses (£13) - These usually live in my car but somehow found their way out!

Water - Part of my 'drink more' New Year's resolution

Pencil Case - I love being at college because it means I can legitimately indulge my geeky stationery fetish again! This my everyday one, I have another filled with felt-tips and crayons for when I go to school.


Reading Stickers - I read with primary school kids, so I like to have these for when they do well :).

Carex Aloe Vera Hand Gel (£0.70) - This is quite good value, at 7p per use, but I don't think I'll be repurchasing it as it smells really strong.

Clinique Superdefense Moisturiser (sample) - For dry hands, sore noses etc. Really useful, I love it when you get samples, it's one of the major advantages of buying high-end products!

Listerine Antibacterial Mouthwash (£1.35) - Just in case...


Wrigley's Gum (£0.38) - I like coffee, but coffee breath is horrific, right?


Lancome L'Absolu Nu Lipstick in 202 Beige Rose (£19.50) - A perfect everyday lip colour which applies brilliantly. The smell reminds me of early childhood experiments with lipstick :)


Cherry Carmex (£2.69) - As much as I love vaseline, I find that carmex has the edge moisture-wise. Also, who doesn't love cherry lip balm?

Hair accessories - Another just in case essential.

Notebook - For my fascinating thoughts, doodlings and musings.


So that is what I cart around with me every frickin' day; curiously, I seem to have forgotten the kitchen sink. How odd. I also usually have my kindle with me, and obviously I took the photos with my phone, so whilst I could have improvised with a piece of paper saying 'phone' on it, I decided not to. I think it was a good decision.

Yesterday morning I received an unexpected package which thoroughly confused me. It was a duplicate of my last order from MUA, though without the glitter eyeliner as it was out of stock. Now I didn't request this, nor have I paid for it. So I tweeted them asking if they wanted it back, and they asked for my order number so I'm waiting to see what happens next... Included in the package though, was a copy of an order confirmation e-mail, which it turns out I'd accidentally deleted :/. So I really am very sorry for previously saying that I had had no correspondance from them. Bit embarrassing really.

I started writing this post yesterday and finished it today, so I'll be blogging again later, hooray!

Lots of Love,
Krystyna x

Friday, January 6

Series: Blush, Bronzer and Highlighter Part Two


Helloooo Beauties!

So, it turns out I was being slightly optimistic the other day when I said I had a MUA package waiting to be explored... it was actually a book :s. It was an easy mistake to make, right? Anyway, as I can't write about those products yet, I decided to continue my BBH series which started in November with a blusher post. It's now time for the bronzers!

Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Mosaic (£31.00), Topshop Bronzer in Radiance 1 (£8.00) and 17 Instant Glow Bronzing Powder in Light (£4.59)

As mentioned previously, I am INCREDIBLY pale (not so sure about the interesting part), so some of these may in fact be more suitable for you as a highlighter.


Swatches: flash on the left, natural on the right


I adore this Laura Mercier shimmer bloc, as it is not only gorgeous, but versatile. I think you could create a pretty decent eye look with the individual shades, and the lighter ones can also be used as a highlighter. In the swatches above, the colours are sampled clockwise from the top, then blended (which is super-easy). It has a silky texture and there is no fallout: definitely worth the price tag.


This Topshop bronzer is much more matte than the Laura Mercier, although it is still fairly glittery, and it has a darker range of shades, resulting in a natural mocha-toned effect. It is slighty chalky due to its more matte nature, but for £8 this is a good bronzer.


 As you can probably tell from my photos, this is the product I have had the longest! When I want to look like I have a healthy, everyday tan, I use this, and have absolutely no complaints. It has the most subtle shimmer of the 3, and doesn't make me look like I've been tango'ed! Obviously, it's not as versatile as the other 2 being a single colour, but has lasted aaaaaages and is a good basics product.


In the pan: left side photos are in natural light; right are with flash to show up shimmer :)



I hope you've enjoyed this post! I want to say a massive thank you to everyone following me - if you're a fellow blogger, you'll know how much of a confidence boost it is, and how lovely it is to read  comments <3

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see in future post :)

Lots of love, 
Krystyna x

Wednesday, November 30

Everyday Face

Evening Beauties!

I was feeling really brave/stupid this morning so I thought I'd show you my everyday make-up look, even though I am possibly THE most unphotogenic person in the world lol :/. 

Prepare yourself for some shockers...


Everyday Face



 So, this is me, fresh out the shower, with just Good Things Miracle Mattifier Lotion (£7.99, Boots) and Carmex (£2.69). Now clearly the moisturiser is not right for my skin at the moment; I think I picked the wrong time to switch, just as all the heating comes on and the wind gets harsher, so I will be putting this back in the drawer until it gets warmer again.




My base:

Clarins Flash Balm (£27.50), 
Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Foundation (£22.00), 
Benefit Lemon Aid (£16.50), 
Rimmel London Silky Loose Powder applied with Bobbi Brown Powder Brush (£47.00), 
Benefit thrrrob (£23.50) applied with Bobbi Brown Face Blender Brush (£33.00),
more Carmex
and Smashbox O-Plump (£20.00). 



Eyes:

The Body Shop Carbon Eye Definer in Black (£9.00),
YSL Exaggerated Lashes Mascara in Deep Black (£22.00)
and spare mascara wand from an ancient set :)!


I like simple eyes for everyday, with natural looking lashes, so I always wiggle the spare wand through them to make sure they're well-defined.


TA-DAH! 



All done. What's your everyday make-up look?


Lots of Love,
Krystyna x

Sunday, November 27

Series: Blush, Bronzer and Highlighter Part One

Hi Beauties, having a good weekend?

I thought I'd do a post today on my collection of blushers, bronzers and highlighters, as these are something every girl has in her make-up bag. However, I then had second thoughts, as I realised it would be another super long post! So I'm splitting it into three parts, with the first being on blushers.

I'm very pale, so these products may not suit you, but they are all fantastic quality and widely available in different shades. Enjoy!

Top row, left to right: Nars The Multiple in Orgasm; No7 Natural Radiance Highlighter; Laura Mercier Shimmer Bloc in Mosaic; 17 Instant Glow Broning Powder in Light.
  
Bottom row, left to right: Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat in Shade 1; Topshop Bronzer in Radiance 1; Benefit Thrrrob; YSL Palette Pink Celebration   


Nars The Multiple in Orgasm (£29.00) and Benefit thrrrob (£23.50)


As you may be able to tell from its rather shabby appearance, thrrrob is my my everyday blusher, and I adore it!  This has lasted me ages (at least a year), so at £23.50 it is good value for money. I tend to use my Nars one more on special occasions/for going out, as it's slightly more shimmery. I'd heard so much about this before I bought it, and whilst it is fantastic, I can't help remembering there are budget products that do the same thing for a lot less than £29! 

 Swatches: With flash on the left, without flash on the right


  
In the pan: Without flash on the left, with on the right - look how shiny Orgasm is! Definitely not a day look...



Hope you found this worth reading, I would love to hear some comments!
Lots of Love, 
Krystyna x


Prices are correct for 27th November 2011.