Bobbie Brown haul

So I got completely ambushed in canary wharf shopping centre the other day.  I had totally forgotten what a great brand it is.   Here is the stash that got below.

I got a foundation stick which good for travel and the gym.  

Corrector for under the eye which is amazing for getting rid of dark circles. I also got the creamy concealer to got with it.

Pressed powder, standard fare.

Limited edition sheer colour cheek tint in sunlit nude and sheer pink.

Last but not least long wear shadow stick in forest.

What is this 'Three of a Kind' you speak of?

I am dyslexic, so when I read blogs its very easy for me to get confused as to what reviews the beauty blogger is reccomending.  Some posts have several reccomendations and it can get a bit mixed up in my head.
What I have done is organised 'three of a kind' for each product.  The format is I will have two high end products and one budget product.  All the products I review on here I have bought with my own hard earned wonga.  So there is nothing on here that I am being forced to review for or that I am getting paid to review.  If I get to the stage where I am lucky enough to recieve a sample than of course I will let you know.

The reason for high end products?  Well beauty is my hobby, I have a passion for it.  I think about it all the time, so that is why I invest alot of money into my hobby that I love. 
I have a budget buy inculded with my reviews simply becuase I recognise that high priced make up doesn't necessaraily mean that it's good.  Genuinely there is some fantastic cheaper make up about which I think alot of people don't know about which is why I include it in my posts.  I also realise that not everyone has the same budget as me, or can afford to spend money in Space NK on their pay day each month. 

Thanks

Carrie

Three of a Kind- Lip Balms

Do you have lots of lip balms?

I know I do, I have a whole box at home devoted to lip balms.  Last count 17.

I think the obsession started when I was 11.   Lip balm was my first foray into the makeup world.  It was the one thing you could wear to school, and get away with it. I would store mine in my pencil case and my friends and I would swap notes as to which one was the best.   I cannot for the life of me remember what the name of it was but, Boots did a caramel/coffee one that I literally went MAD for.  There was also the tinted versions in a bright red (cherry)and pastel pink (cupcake frosting), both were totally disgusting on, but we thought we were the cat's pyjamas.  Does anyone remember the Body Shop ones in tubs? And how they went all horrid, furry and rubbish after they melted?  But because you had spent all your pocket money on one you used it anyway ? Fun times   

   

Eventually I got older and I went through about 7-8 years buying a different one for winter each year, Keihls, Lanolips, 8 hour cream, Dr Lipp nipple cream for lips (titter) Eve Lom kiss mix, to name but a few.  I loved each and every one initially declaring them my HG for lip balm.  But the strangest thing would happened after a few weeks of initial use, suddenly my pout wasn’t as supple as it once was.  I read somewhere you really shouldn’t re-apply the lip product as it dries the skin out.  What was happening with these products is I would apply and the skin would dry out, I would keep re-applying it, and a vicious circle would start.  Don’t you just hate that horrid feeling when you frantically rub your lips together to attempt to inject some moisture in, and the product will just not move as it’s so cold, sticky and won’t absorb. (Stink eye at you Eve Lom kiss mix!)

After many years of split lips, flakey lips, miserable lips last winter was officially the happiest pout wise I have been.   I credit this to three different products that I used all at once in rotation, and I think I may have found the perfect Lip balms for me. 

By Terry Baume de Rose SPF 15 £35

Okay, okay, I know this is a RIDICULOUS amount to spend on lip balm.  But as of October last year I was literally at my wits end (my Dad passed away, I couldn’t get a ticket to Galsto and bleeding lips to top it all off).  I had read a review from a couple of bloggers and they said it was amazing so I thought I would give it a whirl.  I had a £20 voucher for Space NK so really I just paid £15 for it.   Comes in a massive jar and it lasts about a year hard usage.  (This is already on my Crimbo from my hubby)

The product itself smells of roses, it’s a creamy pink that goes clear on.  No need to worry about the white lip look.   It gives me the most softest supplest lips after ten minutes wear and totally absorbs into the skin.  It’s also good for dry cuticles as well.   I am obsessed with this product, and I use it every day, in the morning and last thing at night.  It is the perfect lip balm, with the hefty price tag. This isn’t very travel friendly so this currently lives on my bed side table, the jar is made of glass and is pretty heavy.    There is one version of this that comes with sparkles in it, I really wouldn’t advise you buy this.  Looks exciting on paper but when I tried it in store it just look really suspiciously white on my lips, if you get what I mean :)

Where to buy

Spacek NK online and in store.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 £15 *(I only buy these in the States $22.50 so have no idea how much they are, on Amazon someone is selling it for £31!!)

Wow love this stuff, smoothes on, absorbs quickly, no need for re-application really.   Goes on clear and has lovely citrus scent which I absolutely adore.  This is brilliant under lipstick, gets rid of those awkward flaky skin bits.  I used this maybe once or twice a day in the winter, it’s not a lip balm that makes you reapply every five seconds (yes I am accusing you Vaseline).  This does what is says on the tin.  I have just finished a stick of this and I’m on my last one which I am panicking over. 

Where to buy

Fresh have a store on 92 Marylebone High Street.  I have never been but I intend to go this Saturday.

Burt Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate oil £3.69

This is a lovely lip balm, purse friendly and travel friendly.  I have a couple of these all strewn in different handbags so I am never without one.  The smell for this is weird (pomegranate I think?) but you get used to it after a while.  The colour is a hot rose pink, and it very slightly tints your lips which is nice.  This is a more waxy texture than the others, the product does not move around on your lips.   Takes longer to absorb than the others but it gets there eventually. 

Where to Buy

Boots wait for 3 for 2 offers and don’t forget your points.

 

Hope that helped in the mine field of lip balms.  

Have a nice weekend and enjoy the sun.   

Three of a Kind - Luminous Primers

Happy Friday All!
I am completely lost for any product that will make your skin luminous, dewy and gorgeous.   I love me a highlighter in all its forms, but I especially love a glowy primer.  It’s super easy to pop on the face before your foundation or tinted moisturiser, and is a great look for Spring/summer.   Here are three of my favourites, including a budget friendly option which is just as good as the high end options.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal £33

This is not strictly a primer however does an okay job of adhering your make up to your face.  I was introduced to Becca products from an early age.  I was fortunate enough to be pounced on at the age 23 in Fenwicks by a good SA in London and bought the luminous skin colour and this product.  The SA recommended mixing the two together to create a beautiful finish.  Normally I don’t go for pinky highlighters, but this works perfectly for my yellow/olive skin.  What I love about this product is even if you have acne skin with scars it doesn’t really show up your imperfections, but perfects them as per the name.  It’s a no-brainer product you don’t have to mince around with it, if you go crazy with it you don’t look ridiculous.   The product is not greasy, it can be used dotted on the cheek bones or mixed with your foundation.   There are a couple of other colours notably ‘pearl’ that is a favourite amongst the beauty bloggers but I have a special place in my heart for ‘opal’.  The bottle is huge, I have been repurchasing this product for nearly a decade and I am only on my third bottle.

Where to buy

Becca has recently gone into administration just in the UK, but has also gone back to Space NK online. (?? what is going on!!!!)  You can order this product on back order from the 7^th-8^th of May.   There was a time I stopped using this simply because I got the hump with how difficult it was to find in the UK.  It was constant calls to Fenwicks to find out when their next batch of Tinted moisturiser in ‘bamboo’ was coming in.  It was at this point that I switched to Laura Mercier.  Which is a shame as Becca is amazing makeup brand.  I just wish they got their stuff together and sorted out their supply chain.  

Laura Mercier Radiance Primer £28

The perfect dupe for Becca skin perfector Pearl.  The product is gold and iridescent on the skin, which I like as its interesting and different from your usual gold shimmer fare.  It’s not a pinky as ‘opal’ but probably with be most similar with ‘pearl’.  I use this as a primer under my foundation/tinted moisturiser.  This goes lovely with Chantecaille just skin, or Laura Mercier tinted moisturiser.   I wouldn’t recommend using with a heavy foundation as you lose a lot of the luminosity, however having said that I haven’t tried mixing it with a heavy foundation yet (watch this space).   I have oily skin and I know some people have complained that it makes them an oil slick.  I don’t have this problem but this might be due to the fact that I only put a small amount over my face.   It’s not a product you can be heavy handed with, depending on how you like your make up?  A lot of people say this is an evening/special occasion primer, but I say no to that!  I spent £28 on the stuff and every day is a special day in my opinion.  I really don’t subscribe to saving things for best (with the exception of silk covered high heels and ONLY when indoors) if you have that attitude you will end up in your coffin with a fabulous wardrobe of unworn stuff.

Where to buy

Space NK in store and online, big department stores such as Selfridges, John Lewis, etc.

L’Oreal primer lumi magnique £9.99

I love this product as it has silvery sheen to it, that is lovely and subtle.   I like that as it’s a bit different from your bog standard gold highlighter.  MSF fans this reminds me alot of a liquid version of Lightscapade.  This is another product you don’t have to treat too carefully.   I use it under my makeup, over on the top of my cheek bones, or mixed in.  Works all ways.  If you don’t have a shimmery primer, or indeed you don’t have a primer at all I would definitely recommend this to whet your appetite.  It’s nice and small you can pop into your gym/bike bag, good for festivals and holidays.  (great with just your tan and SPF).  As a primer it’s great for keeping my make up in place. I usually use this with Garnier’s BB cream as both products are nice and light they compliment each other well.

Where to buy

Boots, Superdrug, any bid supermarket with decent make up section.  Don’t forget 3 for 2 offers and get your points in Boots.

Hope that line up was useful, and you will getting your glow in this summer.
Have a great weekend

Bike Bag Essentials- Small and Mighty Heros to commute with.

Bike Bag Essentials.

The sun has appeared (sort of) in London Town, and it’s time for me, the fair weathered cyclist to hit the roads again.  My last job I had to wear a suit which the company provided.  Weirdly we had our own washing machine and dryer so I could pretty much keep all my clothes at work and just rock up in my smelly cycle gear.  There was also some super-luxe showers with towels and toiletries from Ren that I completely took advantage of!  I have now moved work to Shoreditch and although we have showers in my building they are pretty bog standard, and you have to bring everything yourself.  The upside is that I don’t have to wear a nylon suit anymore and I can pretty much rock up in whatever I want which is AWESOME.   I know I may sound sad but after having had to wear some sort of uniform the majority of my life it makes a refreshing change.

Having said all of that, it's hard to know what to bring.  After 6months of swanning about with leather handbag on the crook of my arm.  I have had to seriously plan and rethink what I want to wear the next day, rather than hap-hazardly put on what I feel like at 7am.   Also I have had to think about my make-up and what blush/eye/lip combinations I want to put together.  And recently developed a new found love for mini toiletries/make up everything. It makes life so much easier.   Bike commuting is also a perfect way to use for all those mini freebies and testers that I havent gotten round to using yet.

I am not one of those people blessed with doing a 40mins cycle and ending up at their desk box fresh without a shower.  I sweat ALOT, and as much as I would love to forgo the shower, so I didn't have to lug around so much crap with me I simply cannot do it...........................So in my wee little bag I have to cram

-towel
- Shower in a can -AKA deodrant.

-clothing for the day (I can’t go to work naked)

-bike lock cable

-spare tyre inner (for punctured tyres)

-bike repair kit (for punctured tyres)

-bike pump (for punctured tyres for flat tyres although it’s so useless I may as well not bother)

-wallet
-Coin purse

-mobile phone

-tissues

-lunch for the day
-Note book
-Pen

-keys

-sun glasses (which I never wear because I forget about them)

-Cycle gloves (not in picture as I can’t find them)

-Buff headwear/scarf (Essential to any biker or cyclist)

In the picture below I hadn’t quite decided what I wanted to wear today so hence just the essentials.

The Bag

Firstly your bag is important it’s got to be padded on the back and your straps otherwise it’s agony.  FYI Karimor is a pretty good bag for a cycle, I like all the pockets on the outside to shove things into mid-cycle.  There is a handy Velcro thing in the biggest front pocket so you can secure you dirty cable bike lock and it doesn’t have to mix in with you clothes.  There is also a laptop bit in the bag while it’s not padded it does a good job.  All that for the bargain basement price of 19.99.(when you compare that to a Kanken at £55 it’s a steal.)  In Shoreditch a lot of the kids wear sport their Kankens and fixies (stupid fixies!).  I tried to use my Kanken once so I could hang with the cool kids but it really hurts after a 8 mile cycle!  There is just no point for me to try and look cool and cycle I just end up a sweaty smelly mess, so I rather go for function over fashion when it comes to cycling.

The Scarf

Also essential to any cyclist is a buff scarf, these are so useful, prices start at £15 but you want a merino one its totally worth to shell out the £21 especially when it gets cold.  You tube ‘Buff scarf how to wear’ and there are like billion ways you can use it.  I personally like the beanie, and scarf around my neck, but I have been known to use it as a headband to get sweaty dirty hair out of my face.  It actually not in the photo as I am still wearing in on my head as a hair band.  (FYI Ewan Macgregor and Charlie Boorman wore these when they filmed ‘The long way round’.  This was on the packaging in the cycle shop when I was shopping, had no idea about buff scarves then but then like an idiot I bought it because I love Ewan Macgregor.  In my defence this is probably the ONLY celebrity induced purchase I have ever made:)

The three make up/Toiletry bags

Slightly obsessed with these.  I own so many makeup bags all for different occasions and different sizes.   The largest one is from Accesorize about three months ago, the other two are le sport sac from Century 21 NY which I dumped in my basket while I was on a shopping spree.   My fav is the one with the NY metro map on it.  The little guy attached I got from Greenwich Market :)

1. Claudie Elixar Spray
2. Oribe Texturising spray (totally addict)
3. Flying fox Lush
4. No Oil Oil Percy and Reed
5. Bodifying cream Percy and Reed
6. Kiehls freebie coconut shampoo
7.Korres freebie body cream (snagged from a hotel room somewhere)
8.Emmar Hardie AM/PM moisturiser
9. Charles Worthington conditioner

1. Plasters (you just never know)
2. Drugs (for the same reason as plasters)
3. Philosykos oil perfume roller ball by Diptype
4. Fake up Benefit
5.Hand Maid baterial gel
6. Aesop Resurection aromatique hand balm
7.Lipstick Queen Saint Pink

1. Porefessional
2. Hello flawless
3. They're Real
All mini sample heros from Benefit that were free!
3. Touche Veloutee Chantecaille
4. Mac fine liner pen
5. Kabuki brush
6.Nars Laguna bronzer
7. Nars blusher Gina
8. Bobbi Brown eyeshadow in Bone
9.  Last but not least Chanel 'Les Beiges' powder!







Hope that was helpful and gave you an idea of what to bring with you on your bike commute. :)