Wednesday 30 November 2011

SWalkerMakeup's Festive Up-do!

Hello hello! Anyone who follows youtubers or bloggers will most probably have heard of Sara Walker, or SWalkerMakeup, she's the first Youtube Beauty Guru I ever watched and she's amazing!

Her latest video is a festive up-do, for the more formal ocassions, and I thought I'd give it a go, I'm so bored of my hair at the moment, I'm just waiting for it to grow and it's soo unhealthy and dry that I desperately need it cut however, the fact that it's all one length means I can just chuck it up in a bun and be done with it!

This is something a bit different, it's not for everyone and it doesn't suit me at all, hence the no front on pictures!
This is how it looks on her...




Lovely!
Anyway, here'sthe link to her Youtube (and the video tutorial)
& here's her blog



This is my interpretation of it, just to prove how easy it is, even I can do it in about 10 minutes!




It's not the neatest but there we go, it could do with smoothing out a bit. Also, it's more difficult than you'd think to take pictures of the back of your head! Definitely give it a go if you think it's your kind of thing. Send me pictures if you do!


Grace
x

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Jelly Pong Pong: Shadow Taffy Review

Helloo! Today I'm doing a review of a product I got absolutely ages ago, but just have never used. It's the Jelly Pong Pong Shadow Taffy. Not many people have heard of Jelly Pong Pong, I hadn't until I went to the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham in 2010 and 2009 where I picked up a discounted goody bag!

If you want to read more about Jelly Pong Pong have a look here It's really interesting, they say it's 'stuff made of dreams & emboldened by ideas' how cute is that??

Anyway, onto the Shadow Taffy... if you know what that is you're brighter than me! I had to read the packaging (which is amazing...) it says it's 'melted down eyeshadow in a unique taffy texture. Thicker than a cream, more long lasting than a mousse.' Great! Although, I do not use it as an eyeshadow! You'll see why when I swatch the colours further down. I use it as a blusher and as a bronzer.
Here's a quick picture of the gorgeous packaging



I absolutely love it! It's so cute, the little bird is like a kind of fuzzy texture and covered in glitter. Not only is the pot cute, but the actual box it comes in is even better...




It even looks great on my dressing table! It's basically a little pink bird cage, tied together at the top with a ribbon bow- adorable!


Anyway, I think you get the picture, I'm in love with the packaging. Onto the actual product. Like I said, I don't use it as an eyeshadow, I could use the bronze colour but I'm not a huge fan of creme eyeshadows anyway. These are the colours so you know what I'm talking about...


See what I mean? Pink eyeshadow is not a good look. I'm not sure if they do it in different colours but that's what I got at the Clothes Show.
This is how the colours come out on skin...

As you can see, they're really pigmented, the colours come off really well. Because of this you have to be careful you don't apply too much, china doll-esque is not the look I'm going for! The downfall of this product is that it doesn't really blend well, although it's not designed to be used on the cheeks primarily so that may be why!

I just apply it with my fingers rather than a brush or anything else because I find it easier. The heat from your fingers also helps to blend it into your skin.

I've got a couple other products that I picked up at the Clothes Show and the packaging of them is also gorgeous, here's a picture...


My other favourite is the Lip Orchid, it's like a lip balm with a pink tint, it's got a lovely pink orchid flower on the pot, so cute!

Another plus point of this product that I forgot to mention was that it's made with emollients like Beeswax, Palm Oil & Coconut Oil to keep skin moisturised, it also contains vitamin E to heal lines in the skin. I really recommend the Jelly Pong Pong products, this retails at £15 and is available online at www.jellypongpong.com

Thanks for reading! :-)

Grace
x




Saturday 19 November 2011

Birthday Dress Shopping & First Youtube Video!

Helloo! I'm currently on the look out for a dress for my 18th in December, the dress code is cocktail dresses so it has to fit along those lines. I don't want it to be too formal but I really like the ones that have the like flared skirt. However... I can't find one I like anywhere! I also like the sequin dresses. I've found a couple pictures that are similar to the style I want, but if you know of anywhere I can find one please let me know!


Let me know your opinions!

Also, I've just uploaded my first youtube video! It took literally 3 days to get it right and it's still rubbish quality so hopefully I'll be able to sort that if I do another one.
Here's the URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9MA6KFw9ew
And I'd really appreciate it if you had a look, commented or even subscribed! Thanks :-)

Grace
x

Thursday 17 November 2011

Apologies...

Hi guys! Sorry about the lack of posts, been working on my first actual video rather than just a blog! Who knew it took so long?? It'll be on my favourite products/things i use everyday/products i couldn't live without. Make sure you let me know what you think! It'll be up by tomorrow night definitely! If not tonight...

Grace
x

Thursday 10 November 2011

Miracle Product Time! Good Things Skincare Review

Ola! Second post of the day, you're in for a treat!
I don't know about anyone else, but the weather recently has been the worst for my skin. One minute it's freezing cold, the next it's mild and sunny, then it's chucking it down with rain, what is this?!?
Anyway, I've been getting spots around my mouth and nose which is horrible as usually I've got quite good skin. I've been trying everything, I usually use Tea Tree Oil from the Body Shop to dry my spots out but for some reason it just wasn't working. I cut back on the products I used on my face but it did nothing! I had basically given up when I was in Boots looking at the Imperial Leather Foambursts in the post below when I thought I'd pay a little visit to the skincare aisle just to see what was about.
I'm usually quite reluctant to buy any of these spot gels, not sure why, I'm a bit loyal to my Tea Tree Oil! Well anyway, I was looking at the Good Things range which is specifically designed for young skin and it basically uses superfruits in the products which are really good for your skin. They've also got no parabens which are basically chemicals used in loads of different everyday products and there's been a lot of research into them but they're basically not good for your body, not just your skin. If you want to know more try http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2007/06/21/what-are-parabens-and-why-should-you-avoid-them/


What I ended up buying was the Stop that Spot Clearing Gel with Papaya and Acai. What persuaded me to buy it, I'll be honest- totally absorbed by consumerism or something, was the fact it's won a Cosmopolitan Beauty Award, people don't vote for things unless they work, right? Exactly!
This is what it looks like if you're looking for it...




Again, I love the packaging, it's really feminine and pretty, not at all clinical looking like the Freederm ones and other similar products.
Also, it doesn't have that medicinal smell, it smells really fruity and fresh, like you're really doing something good for your skin other than piling strong chemicals on. I'll admit, I'm usually a big fan of chemicals on skin, how bad is that? I just am yet to be convinced that natural products work as well.

The only thing I don't like about it is the applicator...


Ignore my bun popping up in the reflection! Haha, cheeky.


It's like straight out of a tube and quite difficult to put it specifically where you want it so you have to use your finger to dab it in, make sure they're clean!!
Then you basically just leave it, I keep applying it when it drys up and I honestly saw the difference overnight. It's really compact too so you can just slip it in the side pocket of your handbag.

I apply it under my makeup too, don't really know why, I just feel like it's better than putting foundation straight on top!

It's £4.99 from Boots and I will definitely be trying more from the Good Things range!

Grace
x

"The Ultimate Shower Experience!"

Hello! Tonight's blog post is a little bit different, not really beauty related but kind of is, skincare and all that! Anyway, I felt I had to share this so hope you enjoy it...


Now, these products aren't exactly new, they've been out for years as far as I know, but I've only recently really got into them, so much so i bought the same product in 5 scents... Oops?
It's the Imperial Leather Foamburst Shower gel, doesn't sound particularly interesting huh? Well I love them! For anyone who hasn't seen or used them its basically like shower gel and its a really thick consistency, and as soon as it hits water it turns into like a shaving foam type product, I love it!

Sorry the picture isn't great, as soon as I get home from college these days it's dark so there's no natural light to photograph with whatsoever!


from l-r these scents are: the limited edition precious night blooming jasmine and cotton milk, the soft touch version with jojoba milk & vitamin e, whipped cocoa butter & vanilla (doesn't smell as nice as you'd expect), green tea, rice milk & jasmine, and the wake up version with cucumber and green tea.


My favourites smell-wise are the first one I bought, Green Tea, Rice Milk & Jasmine and also the limited edition Night Blooming Jasmine and Cotton Milk, they're great for when you just want to chill out in the evening and be all snuggly! Great for the winter.
The Cucumber & Green Tea one smells lovely too but it's more of an early morning shower, kick-start to your day, type scent. My least favourite scent is actually the one I thought I'd like the most the Cocoa Butter & Vanilla one, it really isnt nice, it smells a bit tangy and like old marzipan!! Not to my taste.


These are great for me because my favourite thing is smelling nice! Weird? I just love it, I hate it when I forget to put perfume on when I go out and these leave your skin really soft and with a nice smell too!
One of the things that first made me look at them was the packaging, I think it's really cute and pretty, they look great lined up on my chest of drawers (so my brother doesn't use them up in the shower) and I love having the same product in loads of different versions all lined up!


A few more pictures...


This looks weird, but it's so nice and creamy! Plus you hardly need any at all. Each one says it will last for 40 showers, seeing as I've got 5 I'm set for 200 showers! That's like 7 months! I think...




This is how foamy it goes...
Lovely jubbly!
The packaging describes it as "The Ultimate Shower Experience" and it really is!

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this, I've certainly enjoyed trying them out! Oh and I forgot the best bit, they're usually £2.99 but in Boots at the moment they're £1.49!! So stock up, I'm not sure how long the offer is on for!

Grace
x

Thursday 3 November 2011

Nail of the Day!

Helloo! Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, been a busy little beee. But, I'm doing this today then I'm getting some new hair extensions to match my new hair colour either tomorrow or Saturday so I will do one then too!



Here's my new hair! And also my nails, which you can't really see but there are some more photos to come...


I used a deep purpley colour as a base colour, then put a silver-lilac glitter on top and set it with a mattifying top coat. I love that it's glittery and yet matt at the same time, its a bit different. I also like the fact that the matt top coat makes the nail polish more chip resistant and it lasts longer :-)


Here's what I used...


From L-R, Rimmel Matt Top Coat, Superdrug/Boots, between £4-£5, Nails Inc. in Savile Row, Debenhams, £11, Rimmel Lasting Finish in 500 Glitter Ball, Boots/Superdrug, about £4, Rimmel 5 in 1 Nail Treat, Boots/Superdrug, about £4 also.


Now here's some pictures of the actual nails... pre-mattifying top coat... please excuse the runt nail, the acrylic snapped off and I haven't got round to having it re-done!


And post!...





I just think they're really cute! Let me know what you think.

Grace
x