Guest Post - Say Hello To Yellow With The Fashion Freak...

I have another fabulous guest post for you today. This time I have the lovely lady Claire from The Fashion Freak. I think Claires blog was one of the first ones that I started to follow, I still go back all the time to see whats new. She has done a great post about the recent yellow nail trend, which I have to say, I am a follower of myself!

Say hello to yellow

It's Summer 2011. BBQs, ice-cream and days on the beach spring to mind. But fashion-wise, when it came to thinking about my summer wardrobe, I thought colour-blocking, acid brights and sunshine. For me, this meant only one thing. Yellow!

But as I thought more about it, I realised that despite the colour’s summery feel, it’s not often you see a bright yellow bikini by the pool or a pale lemon dress whilst out for dinner. And really, I felt rather nervous at the thought of putting anything remotely yellow on my not-quite-summer-ready-body.

As much as I love Jil Sander, Lanvin and Marc by Marc Jacobs’ offerings on the catwalk this season, for me (and probably a lot of you too) it’s a little too well, yellow, for me.

But when I heard of the ‘yellow nails’ trend, I summoned up the courage to give it a go. Unfortunately my budget doesn’t stretch to the £17.50 Limited Edition Mimosa polish from Chanel so instead I headed to trusty Barry M and choose the shade ‘Lemon Icecream’. If Katy Perry and Rihanna could pull it off, so could I right?

And I have to say, I think I can. I might not be quite ready for Marc by Marc Jacobs’ sunshine yellow dress but I think yellow nails are fun. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too keen on full-on plain yellow so I added OPI’s Black Shatter to ease myself in but I think it makes it a bit more interesting.

What do you think? Will you be giving the ‘yellow nails’ trend a go?

Soap and Glory Hocus Focus Review (or not)...

Soap and Glory Hocus Focus Highlighting Lotion

I was really excited to try this product, so when I saw it half price on asos (I can't find it anymore :() it was meant to be. This is a highlighting cream from Soap and Glory that can be put straight onto the face, so mixed with your foundation to give you a nice glow. I thought it would be perfect for summer.

What do they say?

'What is Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Lotion?

A BLAST OF BRILLIANCE FOR TIRED SKIN! An INSTANT visual flaw-softening lotion with long-wearing LIGHTSCRAMBLE™ lumispheres. Contains a delicate hint of our popular Rose & Bergamot fragrance.

How do you dew it?

PLAY DOWN THE FLAW!
Use Hocus Focus alone as a cheekbone highlighter, mixed with moisturiser as a gorgeous skin brightener, or blend 2-3 pumps into your foundation (for a youthful, dewy, luminous look).
Can be used in conjunction with Catch a Wrinkle in Time daily moisturiser.'

So I don't want this to be a review yet - I want it to be kind of an 'update'. As it stands, I'm not all that into this product, but I really WANT to love it, so I'm going to continue using it a little longer. Everything on the packaging screams out for me to love it, but so far, I really can't see it making any difference. I've put it on on its own and it just kind of makes me shiney and greasy looking. I've mixed it with moisturiser, and it doesn't really make much difference, I've mixed it with my foundation, and again, not much difference. Maybe its me. Maybe I'm using it in the wrong way. Anyone got any tips? I want to love it I really really do. Usually at this point I would have given up on a product but I'm going to stick it out a little longer.

I want to end this on a positive note... it smells fabulous :)

To be Continued...

Lots of Love

Lola...x

Guest Post - The A - Z of Ms Red...

I'm very excited to have my first guest post today! Ms Red, of Ms Reds Beauty Blog is one of my favourite bloggers. She is honest and up front, has a range of different posts, and is a great writer. But more importantly she is a very lovely lady!

So for those of you that don't know of her, she has kindly written an A - Z of all things Ms Red...

Well, this is my first ever guest post and when the lovely Lola Rose asked me to do one for her blog I was both excited and nervous, excited for being asked and nervous because I had NO idea what to talk about.

But then I saw a post on Liloo's blog and I thought it might be the perfect thing.

The A-Z of me.

So here we go..

A. Age:

And that's neither here nor there... If it helps I was born before the Internet and before CD's took over from tapes, I remember only 4 channels on the TV and you had to 'get up' off your bum to change channels/volume.

B. Bed size:

Nosy people, but it's a standard double bed.

C. Chore you hate:

Ironing... with a passion.

D. Day:

The day I wrote this was a Thursday.

E. Essential start to your day:

Tea, I have to have a cup of tea or I'm not human.

F. Favorite colour:

Red, giveaway's in my name.

G. Gold or Silver:

Silver, or white gold. I just don't do yellow gold.

H. Height:

Six foot in bare feet. (Yes tall)

I. Instruments:

Well I play a mean recorder lol. Other than that I can bang out a tune on a keyboard just about and to the eternal disappointment of my grandfather who plays the sax, flute, clarinet and keyboard.

J. Job title:

Lab Rat

K. Kids:

Does my cat or boyfriend count? No?

In that case none at the moment and likely none for some time to come.

L. Live:
In South Wales, although I hale from Birmingham.

M. Mom’s name:

Mum or mummy if I'm feeling childish.

N. Nicknames:

Ms Red, Angel, Crumblestein (don't ask)

O. Overnight hospital stays:

Yeah never again, they thought I had appendicitis.. I didn't but whatever I did have wrong HURT.

P. Pet peeve:
How long you got? Slow people when I'm in a hurry, doddery old people doddering in my way. Woman with prams blocking pavements/aisles... I could go on.

Q. Quote from a movie:
'Are you afraid of the dark?' - Pitch Black, brilliant film.

R. Right or left handed:
Right, although there's a lot I can do with my left.

S. Siblings:

A brother, although he won't talk to me as he disapproves of me living with my boyfriend unmarried.

T. Time you wake up:

As late as I possibly can. My alarm goes off at 7am, I generally roll out of bed in a panic at 8am.

U. Underwear:

Plain, black, cotton, comfortable.

V. Vegetables you dislike:

Parsnips & Cauliflower... ewwww.

W. What makes you run late:

Over-sleeping.

X. X-Rays you've had:

Where do I start?

Nose, ankle, hip, back, arms, neck...

Y. Yummy food you make: .

I can make a mean curry, and something called Grandma Cake, my nans recipe I adapted.

Z. Zoo:

I haven't been to the zoo in a couple of years, but we used to go quite often when I was little.

I do hope that interested a few, and I must say many thanks to Lola Rose for asking me to guest post on her lovely blog.

Ms Red

xx

Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara Review...

Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara

There are so many mascaras coming out like this at the moment, I decided I needed to try one. With the likes of Mac bringing one out, drugstroe brands are picking up on it and bringing out their own cheaper version. I opted for the Rimmel Glam Eyes Day 2 Night Mascara, currently priced at £5.99 in Boots.

The idea is that it is one mascara that offers you two looks - one for longer more defined lashes, and the other to pump up the volume.

What do Rimmel have to say?

'Introducing Day-2-Night, Rimmel’s unbeatable new mascara that creates 2 dramatically different lash looks, all with 1 amazing new system. The secret is the magic double cap!

1.Choose the Length cap in the day for exceptionally defined, ultra- lengthened lashes. Lashes are stretched to new distances.

2.Choose the Volume cap at night for up to 15X fuller lashes. Thickens lashes with voluptuous, oversized volume without a clump in sight.

Now, the magic double cap gives you the power to create a perfect lash look, day or night!'

I wasn't wowwed by this product, but then again, I don't think I was really expecting to be. The mascara is good, I give it that, and for the price you can't really go wrong, but I'm not entirely sure it does what it says on the tin...

On the left eye I have the 'day' look of longer more defined lashes and on the right eye I have the 'night' look with more volume. Granted you can see a slight difference in the eyes, my right eye looking heavier with mascara and a little more dense, but I did this in the morning when first applying my make up, and went out all day, not worrying that my eyes may look odd. I don't really think the lashes on my left eye look particularly any longer, although it is less clumpy.

Night look

Day Look

Nahh I'm still not seeing it. I like the idea of the mascara, and I can see how it kind of works, but not the the point where I could have two different mascaras on - just maybe that I have spent more time layering one set of lashes than I did another, which, lets face it, can be done with any mascara.

Having said all of this, I'm still going to stick with saying it is a good mascara and I have used it quite a lot since buying it. Just not really for what it is meant to be used for.

Lots of Love

Lola...x

Holiday Packing...

So today is the long awaited day that I go on holiday for 2 WHOOLLEEE weeks! I've so so looking forward to this all year, and now that I have uni out of the way until september, I feel that I am definitely in need of a break.

I just thought I would share a few of the things I have packed.

Skincare

So I put my cleanser, toner and moisturiser into these stacking tubs (which have actually started leeking now so I've wrapped them up in tape. I've gone for quite light products as I won't be wearing much make up and I hate my face feeling clogged up when I'm in the sun.

I've also packed these 2 hand rubs, which were on discount in superdrug and smell a lot nice than your usually suspects!

We needed a lot of suncream as we are going for two weeks, so I decided to go for the Asda branded suncream. I remember watching something last year where they tried and tested lots of suncreams, and the Asda branded stuff came out top over a lot of higher end products. It was on offer in Asda at 2 for £5, which is an amazing bargain, so I stocked up on lots of it!

I also went for my favourite Vasaline Aloe Vera body lotion as an after sun - mostly because the smells reminds me of all the holidays I've been on and makes me smile (you know me and my smells)

Haircare



I've packed my Tigi Smoothing Lusterizer and my Lee Stafford Argan oil as the combernation of these two make my hair feel AMAZING! I must also say that since I have been using the Argan Oil, my hair is so much stonger meaning it has had the chance to grow a lot more. This product is definitely a keeper!

I packed my Aussie Leave in conditioner to help my hair recover from the sun, sea and swimming pool, as well as a few Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioners to slap on a couple of times. With my hair being bleached, it needs as much help in the sun as it can get at as it dries out so easily.

I was advised by my hairdresser to buy these products to take the chlorine out of my hair after a day in the pool (I am at high risk of getting green hair :() she says that although it doesn't work very well at conditioning hair, and another shampoo is needed, it works really well to get the chlorine out. I also got the mask to put on as a sort of leave in conitioner in the mornings to try and stop my hair from going green in the first place. I love going in the pool so I'd hate to not be able to just because of my hair.

Make up

I've packed 2 recent purchase that I have been so impressed with - the Max Factor Smooth Effect foundation and the Bourjois Chocolate bronzer. I think the combernation of these two, a bit of mascara and a bit of lip gloss will be all I will be wearing some evenings - I'm all for a lot less is more on holiday.

Heres a slection of the bronzers and blushers I have packed, as well as my Ruby & Millie Illuminating cream and my Collection 2000 Concealer.

I have packed my max factor mascara, Benefit Bright Eye and Collection 2000 Felt tip eske eyeliner for easy eyes, a couple of lipglosses and lipsticks, as well as, of course, the Naked Palette.

Heres hoping the boys got some room for my stuff in his case as well...

Lots of Holiday Love

Lola...x

Max Factor New Smooth Effect Foundation Review...

Max Factor Smooth Effect Foundation

So I bought this foundation as I have seen lots of adverts for it recently in magazines, and as I was browsing around superdrug, I saw that it had an introductory price of £5.99 rather than £7.99, so it seemed the perfect time to buy it.

What do Max Factor say about their new foundation?

'Did you know that the make-up artist secret to create a perfect colour make-up look is a flawless foundation look? The smoother the canvas, the better the colour results. Introducing new Smooth Effect Foundation from Max Factor. It gives you a smooth, even finish – the perfect canvas for a great make-up look!'

I would say this foundation had a light to medium coverage. I usually prefer more of a full coverage, but this one seems to make my skin so flawless, and yet I feel like I have nothing on my face at all. It blends in with my stippling brush like a DREAM, literally as if it is melting into nothing in your skin, and you only need a tiny bit to cover your whole face. It completely smooths out my face, and makes it feel lovely. I would probably go as far to describe this as a foundation and a primer in one, although I would still advise wearing a primer underneath to make your make up stick all day. 

I wasn't expecting to be impressed with this foundation really at all, as Max Factor foundations have never been a favourite, but this one is a must in my holiday make up bag, due to how light it feels, but the fabulous coverage it gives.

Have you tried this yet? What did you think?

While were on this subject, I have been doing a bit of research recently into BB Creams, has anyone tried these or have any recommendations? I'd love to hear your advice!

Lots of Love

Lola...x 

Bloggers Forum...

Hey :)

Last week Sarah over at Sarah Sees All decided to set up a bloggers forum, as an alternative place to 'meet' as well as twitter and facebook.

Shes says 'Its a place for discussions and nice chitter chatter no hate or bitchiness'
So click here and get yourselves over there to have a bit of a nosey!

We Heart It

Lots of Love

Lola...x

Haul...

I haven't done one of these in a while!

Just popped to the shop to get a bit of food, and woooopps I ended up in Superdrug! I just want to apologies at this point for the lack of pound signs in this post - I am on my housemates american laptop right now and she doesn't have a pound sign on it!

So I'm going on holiday in just over a week (eeeek) and I realised just how many bottles I have and how small my weight limit is for my case, so I felt like these bottles would be really useful. They were 2 for 1.99 which I didn't think was too bad.

I had a look at the new VO5 collection and grabbed the Instant Oomph Powder and the Ultimate Hold Hairspray. I didn't particularly need either of them, as I have got plenty of hairspray and I have the Got2be Volume Powder, but I had heard so many good things about this range and they were such a good bargain in Superdrug it was hard to say no. Everything in the range was 2 for 4.49, when I think both of these RRP at around the 4 mark.

I FINALLY got the Bourjois Chocolate bronzer for 6.99, which I cant wait to try out, and I'm excited about the new Max Factor Smooth Effect Foundation for 5.99, instead of 7.99.

I love these Collection 2000 nail varnishes, I have a few other colours, and I love how wide the brush is on them. It makes it so easy to apply. I got the colours Big Hair, Lemon Soda and Mint Mojo. There were 1.79 each.

And lastly, I got these hand gels as they were on offer for 49p. I usually hate the smell of them, so I'm hoping these two may be abit better.

Eeeeee I love a good shop!

Lots of Love

Lola...x

Blogging Blues :(

So I have been really looking forward to today, as it is my first full day I have had to myself all week, and I was planning on putting some posts together for the next week. But someone out there doesn't want this to happen today!

First up I forget to bring my camera to my Mums with me, so I have taken all the pictures I need on my Blackberry...

... which my boyfriend then goes and sits on yesterday, cracking the screen and breaking the phone. All I can see is white with a big black smudge in the middle...

... I am then told by the phone fixing man that it will cost £170 to fix. I have an upgrade due in 3 or 4 months so its just not worth the money. They boy buys me a cheap, very unusual looking phone to keep me happy until then...

... which I would show you a picture of but blogger won't let me upload pictures right now...

... which isn't much of an issue anyway as I can't get the pictures that I took off my blackberry (aswell as all my contacts), and don't have my camera here to retake them...

... blogger is also having issues letting me comment on other peoples posts...

... which isn't much of an issue as I can communicate through twitter...

... but only on my laptop as the app on my new cheap phone for twitter doesn't seem to be working...

... And in half an hour I have to work, so all my readers are going to get out of me today is this stupid post :(

I am now going to go back to bed and feel sorry for myself some more before going to work.

Sort yourself out Blogger, I am not impressed!

Geordie/Jersey Shore inspired FOTD

So most of you have probably if not seen, heard about the new MTV show Geordie Shore, the Newcastle take on the addictively good Jersey Shore.

I used to live in newcastle myself, so I love watching it and it really makes me giggle.

I decided to have a little play about and do my own Geordie Shore look, aaandd this is what I came up with. I was a little disappointed as I am at my parents house at the moment, so didn't have all my make up to hand to play with, but I made the best of what I have.

The look is quite simple really - big, black, over the top make up - and lots of it!

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - 52 Vanilla

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer - 3 Medium

Prestige Skin Loving Gentle Finish Mineral Powder Foundation - 03 Natural

Benefit Dallas

Gosh Giant Sun Powder - 001

MAC MSF - Northern Light

MAC Mineralize Blush - New Vibe

Ruby & Millie Face and Body Metal - Rose Gold

MUA Eye Shadow - Shade 3 Pearl

Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner

Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion

Barry M Lip Paint - 146

Ruby & Millie Lipgloss - 42 Twilight

Not gonna lie, don't think its a looking I'm going to rock that often, but I don't think this is anything up to Geordie or Jersey standard! Its definitley missing a good dose of Benefit Hola to crank up the tanage, but thats unfortunately at home :(

Lastly, I know this is gross, but I HAD to show you how much it took to get all that slap off! YUCKKK!

Lots of Love

Lola...x