MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish

Like a lot of beauty bloggers and cosmetic hoarders alike, I am a little bit obsessed with this blusher/highlighter combo right now!  I am so glad MAC re-released it as part of their Aprés Ski collection, as I missed out first time round!

£21.50 from MAC Aprés Ski Collection

The product itself is pretty massive for a blusher which can be a little daunting and off-putting, but ever since first use of Stereo Rose I have been in love.  Its a very pretty coral-pink with gold flecks running through it and it just gives you such a radiant glow without being to shimmery.  You do have to use it sparingly though as its quite pigmented and you will look completely overdone!!  Like all mineralized skinfinish's it blends SO well, will never ever go patchy and is really long wearing

I have heard that its totally sold out now which SUCKS (do let me know if you get your hands on it) but due to popularity I reckon this will be re-released again in another collection
Did you get your hands on Stereo Rose?  Do you have a dupe you can recommend? 

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Fifty Random Facts About Me Tag

Hey lovers! HAPPY HUMP DAY! So my blog doesn't often contain much personal info about me (other than ramblings about my skin type, hair type and fave make up products)  so I decided to jump on the band wagon with this 50 Random Facts About Me tag!  I hope it gives you little lot an idea of what I'm all about and hopefully you won't think I'm crazy or anything :)

My name means "light"
I think I have about 1 million freckles if you counted them
I'm allergic to pineapple - the first meal my bf cooked for me was sweet and sour, that was awkward
My favourite perfume is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle
I have an unhealthy obsession with Cheryl Cole

Every night when we wash up our dinner plates me and my boyfriend discuss how much money we would eat the grose leftovers or bits that have fallen on the floor for
I thought unicorns were real, but just extinct until very recently!  I thought that horses evolved from unicorns..
I'm 5 foot 1" but I thought I was 5 foot 3" for ages..  
I LOVE Nutella
I am always ALWAYS cold
When I was younger I was convinced I would be a famous actress
I cannot stand people touching me with their feet
I am incredibly forgetful.  I have to write EVERYTHING down or it will be forgotten within minutes
Fancy dress is so under rated and I find it incredibly enjoyable

I have no grandparents left :(

I think football is one of the worst things ever invented, and the majority of footballers are total idiots
I once received a letter from Anne Robinson after doing a charity event for bowel cancer
I dislike odd numbers and avoid them at all costs
I LOVE FESTIVALS.

Bestival 2011!!

I cannot stand spaghetti bolegnese, it is devils food
I have 2 tattoos.  I hate 1 of them
Micky Flanagan is my fave comedian "Are you going out out or just out?"
I auditioned for S Club Juniors
Hospitals/doctors are not my favourite, I can't even watch Holby City without wanting to vom.  Don't even get me started on One Born Every Minute
I'm really clumsy.  I constantly walk into things and I drop something on our wood floor every morning - FACT.
the first time I ate a Babybel I ate the wax
I adore babies, I prefer them to cute kittens or puppies etc
I will call my first child Tigerlily after the red Indian in Peter Pan (if its a girl obviously)
I am terrible at geography, I don't really understand what a country/county/continent is?!
I order skinny hazelnut hot chocolate's at Starbucks
I am petrified of spiders I hysterically cry when I see them
I think Harry Potter is the best ever

Coconut is my favourite smell
I can't eat corn off of the cob it makes me cringe, I have to cut it off (Nandos is always an interesting trip with me)
Talking of Nandos I like my chicken medium with extra hot sauce to dip it in!
I love computer games - I'm a total geek
I can't feel the tip of my left index finger due to a horrific finger-in-door accident when I was little
I think I could live on avocados 
My favourite film of all time is The Sound of Music
I have a bum chin

I have a reality TV addiction
I really want a little dog (big ones scare me)
I love Britney Spears, even now she's a looney

I'm always covered in unexplained bruises..
I find churches really creepy and scary and I don't like going there
I really like dinosaurs!
Pinterest is my fave app ever ever ever
I can't sleep with the tv on
I have a driving license but I really dislike driving - I was born to be chauffeured
I have a keltoid scar on my arm which I tell my niece is a button that will make me explode if pressed..

So there it is.  50 whole random facts about me!  I hope you haven't fallen asleep and that you made it to the end!! Does anyone share anything random in common with me??!! I would love to know some facts about you guys so please leave a comment and let me know some, or leave me a link to your post/blog!
TTFN! xx

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Cheap but Chic Part 2: Cheaper Beauty Alternatives

Its Monday YAAAAY - said no one ever! Meh.  Monday is rubbish huh, but maybe my post today will help cheer you up a little and wash away those naughty start of the week blues.
I had some amazing feedback on my previous post of Cheaper Beauty Alternatives (thanks guys!!) so I decided to do a second post of even more bargain buys! I hope you enjoy..

Have you got any dupe suggestions for me to try out?

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Empties

This is my first ever empties post!!! I am actually treating this as a massive achievement as I am terrible for finishing products.  I fall in love with things so easily and obviously being a beauty blogger I try to sample as much stuff as possible and things get left behind (sorry lovely products!)
I have been a really really good girl recently and tried my absolute best to use up what I've got completely, before moving onto something new. Here is what I have demolished...  

 
Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser: oh Liz, I love you. If you haven't tried this yet you need to get yourself a bottle, and pronto. This green bottle of loveliness has been my holy grail cleanser for the last few months and I am counting down the days until payday so I can repurchase her. However The Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser by Soap & Glory has been getting me through, so I would highly recommend that as a cheaper alternative
Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner: this is actually something I have been using for around 10 years now! I do dabble in other hair care brands but I always come back to my trusty and lush smelling Aussie. The miracle moist keeps my hair super hydrated, really shiny and the scent lasts all day! I also find that I don't need to wash my hair as often after using this. Another massive plus is that its under a fiver!! Will be repurchasing pronto.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant: I can see why this product has won awards, its great! The powder, made up of Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes, is activated with water and works to smooth the skin and accelerate cell renewal.  I received mine as a sample in a beauty box subscription and I thoroughly enjoyed using it instead of those harsh grainy exfoliants that leave your skin red raw and stripped of life! I don't think I will be purchasing this just though though as the full size is a whopping £27.95 and I'm not sure if it is really worth that price tag.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer: When I bought this I was head of over heels for it, nothing I had used had come close and it really concealed everything so well. Then suddenly I decided it was too thick and I didn't love it so much anymore. I think the reason was I was using much lighter foundations and my skin has been quite behaved, so thick concealer wasn't necessary any more  I also discovered Maybellines Dream Lumi concealer which is my new addiction. Bobbi you have been so good to me but I won't be repurchasing you right now.
Chantecaille Just Skin Tinted Moisturiser: I have really been embracing the "no make-up  make-up look" for a while now and I have not stopped using my Just Skin. This is by far the best tinted moisturiser I have ever used and I am devastated that I have finally ran out! This got me through a summer, autumn and winter and I used my last little blob a few days ago *cries*.  Just Skin leaves you looking absolutely glowing and dewy whilst giving you remarkable coverage but still being really light and breathable. The only thing I hate about this is the price - £57 is extortionate for an item of make-up  I don't care what anyone says its a ridiculous price tag! For that reason I simply can't repurchase it right now, however much I want to, but I've decided it's a chance for me to try out some different foundations and hopefully end my quest to find a dupe for this amazing product!!! It's farewell for now Chantecaille    Bioderma Crealine: Bioderma is probably my most used product of all time.  I use it every single day without fail to remove eye make-up  cleanse or to simply freshen up.  I am so so glad I found micellar waters in 2012 as they have changed the way I treat my skin and make-up wipes/foaming face washes have become a thing of the past.  Its one of the only cleansers that doesn't leave my skin red and patchy its so gentle, but it removes every last trace of make-up.  Its really difficult to get hold of for a reasonable price in the UK, I stocked up when I was in Paris and got 2 bottles for about £12 which is a bargain!  I know there are sellers on Amazon and Ebay but I personally wouldn't recommend getting this from there.  I've heard that Bioderma will soon be available in Boots which would be AMAZING, but I hope it comes with a friendly price tag.
So there are my empties! I actually really enjoyed using up some products for a change and I will be attempting to stick to this new rule if mine in future! Especially as it now means I can go out and buy more, he he!!
Have you done an empties post I can have a read of???

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L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream*

I have something brand new and exciting to tell you about today!  So BB creams were massive in 2012, literally every cosmetic brand brought out their own version. Well this year is the year of the CC cream, and L'Oreal is releasing their version in 2013! The L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream*    

So what is CC cream I hear you ask!?  Well CC stands for Colour Correction which is used for evening out skin tone and tone correcting.  L'Oreal's version contains all the benefits of BB creams but with this added CC magic!
The aim of a CC cream is to help neutralise the appearance of redness, dullness or tired looking skin and L'Oreal have created 3 different creams, one for each of these problems.  I chose the Anti-Dullness CC cream as I find my skin lacks radiance and often needs a boost to look glowing and lovely!    

I have been testing this out all week and I cannot praise it enough!!   At first I was like "WOAH" as the liquid is thin, runny and purple!!  I wasn't expencting good things at all..  But when applied it transforms into a lovely smooth foundation that adapts to the colour of your skin like magic! (Or should I say "magique"!!)  It literally mimicks your skin tone and looks and feels like bare skin    

 
It feels SO light and silky like a moisturiser, and is a real joy to apply.  Once on the skin it literally feels like I don't have foundation on at all but gives a good and buildable coverage - more than than most BB creams would I think this will be perfect for summer/holiday months where I want a little something on my face but nothing too heavy, it also contains SPF 12! I wouldn't say that this is dewy but it does give a really radiant glow.  I find my CC cream looks best used with a touch of concealer on any blemishes and a swipe of powder!    

Me wearing my L'Oreal CC Cream!!

  The L'Oreal Nude Magique CC Cream is not out to buy yet in shops but is coming very soon and will be a very reasonable £9.99.  It will also be available in Anti-Fatigue and Anti-Redness formulas.  I can't wait to try the rest of the range to see what they can do for me! Are you a BB cream fan?  Will you be trying CC creams??  
*PR SAMPLE
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Sisterly Love...

Today its my sisters birthday!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZIE!!!
My sister and I are really close, she is my BFF!!  She has just bought a beautiful new house and she also runs her own business meaning purchasing beauty and cosmetics has had to take a back seat.  So for her birthday I decided to make her a beauty box!!  I basically used an old Glossy box and filled it with a whole new make-up collection of drug store goodies! My sisters beauty box includes:

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in "True Nude" £5.99 from Boots - This is my absolute new favourite foundation!  It does exactly what it says on the packaging, wakes your skin up making you look healthy and glowing.  It is also a total dupe for MAC's Studio Sculpt Foundation!
Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer £6.99 from Boots - I prefer this to my YSL Touché Éclat!  This stuff is light and hydrating on your skin whilst still having great coverage! 
Bourjois Little Round Pot Blusher in "Rose" £7.49 from Boots - You can't beat Bourjois for these little pots of goodness!  Just the right amount of pigment to give your cheeks a flush of colour, and they smell good too! Its teeny weeny and fits into your handbag so easily
Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder £6.99 from Boots - A classic bronzer that I always have in my make-up bag, this gives a lovely sun-kissed glow AND it smells like chocolate!!
Maybelline Falsies Mascara £7.99 from Boots - Tanya Burr raves about this so it must be incredible.  Enough said really
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner £7.99 from Boots - The best gel liner you can get, this glides along your eyelids like a dream and won't budge all day.  Its also not too shiny and not too matte, its perfect!
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in "Peach Glow" £3.99 from Boots - This cheapest and most popular translucent powder around!  It sets any foundation to perfection, making your skin look flawless and keeping shine at bay
Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad Eye shadow Palette in "Sun Safari" £6.99 from Boots - Smoky brown eyes are my favourite and this palette as the perfect range of warm toned colours to achieve this!
OH and of course I added a couple of Ferrero Rochers ;-)

I absolutely loved creating my very own beauty box!  I am tempted to do this for all my friends on their birthdays!!!
Have you made your own beauty box?  What would be in your ideal beauty box?

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Birch Box Jan 2013: Fresh Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment

 
Birchbox is here!  I love new things, I get bored pretty easily so Jolie Box changing to Birch Box was a welcome change for me!  I was super excited when a highlight pink box arrived on my desk last week, I literally ripped it open in eager anticipation!  

    So as usual I'm not going to jump in and review every product as I won't try them all right away.. but one thing I did immediately use upon opening was the Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment   This tinted lip balm is totally cute!  I am in love with the packaging, pink, pretty and teeny tiny, perfect for my handbag The treatment contains blackcurrant oil, antioxidant grape seed and vitamins A, C and E which explains why is SO hydrating and yummy!  The balm also contains SPF 15 to shield your sensitive lips from sun damage. As soon as I touched this to my lips I knew I was going to adore it.  The colour is perfect for me, just a subtle hint of coral red to enhance your lips and the texture is so so smooth.  My usually dry lips felt instantly moisturised   Fresh Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment is VERY pricey for a lip balm at £25 but I am a billion percent repurchasing this when my sample runs out as I totally love it!   Have you tried your Fresh Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment yet??
 
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Cheap but Chic: Cheaper Beauty Alternatives

January is a killer for everyone!  You're totally strapped for cash after blowing it all on Xmas presents and probably alcohol over NYE and payday is weeks away.  I don't know about you guys but I tend to hunt for bargains and go for cheaper alternatives where I can to make my pennies last me as long as possible! So here is my list of alternative's to your usual beauty products that you could purchase if your budget won't stretch to the hefty price tags on a lot of cosmetics out there today    

 

   

 

 

 

I'd love to know of any cheaper alternatives/dupes you have found??

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