More frugal finds...

I recently posted that I have been trying to find some purse friendly alternatives to products I love. When I was in Paris earlier this year, the most exciting thing I bought (apart from minnie mouse ears of course), was a bottle of bioderma's crealine cleansing water. I think I've mentioned before that I really dislike oil based removers and was relieved to find something that removed my make up just as well, without leaving behind an oily residue. However, on attempting to order a new bottle of crealine, I couldn't justify the price of postage.

Enter La Roche-Posay's Physiological Micellar Solution...



Similarly to bioderma, this is a micellar cleansing water, which I've found to be the most thorough but gentle methods of removing my make up. The product contains no parabans, soap or alchohol. However, la roche-posay's micellar solution does contain fragrance which I know can be irritating to some people's skin, thankfully I've had no bad reaction.

For my face make up, I only need to sweep over one cotton pad and it even breaks down waterproof mascarra - though I do need to hold the pad over my eye for a couple of seconds. It leaves behind no residue, doesn't leave my skin tightened or dry and ready for cleaning (I am still in love with Origins Checks and Balances). If you're interested in micellar cleansing waters, I think la roche-posay's is a good place to start - I got mine from Boots for around £10.

Lots of Love
Nic
xx

Home is wherever I'm with you

Hey Dolls

Waaah at this moment, I am hideously hungover...Prosecco is not my friend!! Today is the first day of my holiday from work and to celebrate, my friend Andrew and I went out for a couple of drinks after work.

I wore a new dress from Warehouse which you can see here. For me, this is my perfect dress: black, long sleeves, a peter pan collar and embellishment. I never got a full length photo of me wearing it, instead here is a terrible iphone picture where you can see half of the sleeve and none of the embellishment...


Nick and I have lots planned for our week off...tomorrow we're going to visit the Rosslyn Chapel, and then later in the week, we're going down to my mum and dads for a nardini's (I'm getting ice cream AND a cannoli) and most exciting of all...WE'RE GOING ON THE HOGWARTS EXPRESS!!! Well, as close as we'll ever get - The Jacobite. I literally cannot wait!!!!

Lately, I've realised that I've truely become a bit of a home bird. Since moving into our new house, I've spent so much time making it a home - I promise to those who have asked, I'll post soon and show you around! However, over the last couple of weeks, the homely things I have been enjoying are...

...making window boxes and rolls!

I'll leave you with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros...the only thing that can save me from this headache!

Lots of Love

Nic
xx

My new angel

Hey Dolls

M.A.C's Angel is definitely my most used lipstick. It might be a little bit boring, but that's exactly the reason I love it - following on from my previous post, Angel is a lipstick I can slap on without worrying how it looks. However recently, I have had to become a little purse conscious (mainly because everytime I open mine, little moths fly out like in a warner bros cartoon) and so, I set myself the task of finding a more purse friendly angel...



I settled on Bourjois' Sweet Kiss Naturel lipstick in 11 Rose Innocence. While it is not identical to Angel, it is an absolutely beautiful lipstick. The formula is extremely moisturising as it contains magnolia oil and shea butter and it settles onto the lips without being overly buttery or soft. It is a semi matte finish, which is quite different to the finishes I tend to favour. The one downfall of Rose Innocence is the lasting power - at best I probably get about 2 hours wear. However, because it's quite a natural shade I can re-apply it quickly.

As you can see, Rose Innocence isn't as pink as Angel - on the lips it appears more of a pink toned nude but for me it's perfect at half the price! There are only 8 shades of Bourjois sweet kiss naturel lipsticks but they are all beautiful! I am definitely going to try more!

Lots of Love
Nic
xx

A few work day favourites

Hey Dolls!

I originally started writing this post about general products I have been using over the last month or so. When thinking about which products I wanted to include, I realised how much working full time has impacted on my make up routine. Firstly, I wear a lot less - I definitely favour extra time in bed over spending time on my make up. Secondly, I seem to reach for products that are long lasting but cause no fuss - pretty much things I can just slap on my face and I can trust it looks ok!

Illamasqua Skin Base foundation

I really love the way that skin base looks on - it blends seamlessly into the skin giving medium coverage, but still looks luminous and 'skin like'.

Left: unblended. Right: blended

However, for me skin base has one major let down - it does not control oil. By lunchtime, I definitely need to blot and re-powder my face. I've really only ever found one foundaiton (double wear) that controls oil all day, and I suppose skin base makes no claims to control oil, it does say suitable for all skin types and in this way I was a little disappointed. However, it looks beautiful on (especially in photographs) and takes no work to blend into the skin - for this, I can put up with a little extra powdering. I wear shade 8 and I would definitely recommend getting colour matched over buying it online, I would of originally have picked shade 2 for myself!


Urban Decay Toasted

Late to the party, I first bought the urban decay naked palette when it was first released. For numerous reasons, I barely used it until recently. Toasted was a shade that immediately stood out to me - it is a bronze/brown with a hint of rose and is an example of a shade I don't need to think about in the morning. I can just swish it over TFSI with a little bit of MAC's smoulder smudged into the lash line and I'm good to go. I am also happy to see that toasted is available to buy in a single pan!

Stile Acai Crush Lip and Cheek Stain

I'm so happy Stila is back properly in the UK. I've picked up a few bits and pieces but this lip stain is definitely my favourite. I love lip stains for work days - acai crush is a beautiful deep pink but when it's on the lips it can look quite red. The stila stains are quite a unique gel formula...

The stain lasts all day and although it does lessen in intensity stays just as pretty throughout the day. My only gripe with the product is it is a little messy - you twist the bottom of the applicator which I feel dispenses too much product on the brush. I always have to wipe some from the brush before I apply it meaning I waste a lot of product. I might use my own lip brush and see if this helps any!


Dainty Doll Blush 002 My Girl


I am in love with this blush!! I have recently dabbled in coral and bronze toned cheek products but my heart definitely lies with pinks!


On the cheek, my girl reminds me a lot of MAC's well dressed but with a little more silver glow. It's a perfect shade to add dimension and colour to your cheek without being too harsh. The blush is really smooth and blendable and lasts the full day without having to be touched up! I definitely want to try more from the dainty doll range!

Lots of Love
Nicola
xx