Too Faced - Lip Injection

Too Faced - Lip Injection.  I currently have the one which has both the Lip Injection on one side and the Lip Injection Extreme on the other.

(This involves NO needles!!!  Just thought I had best point this out.  I'm a pretty big fainter when it comes to needle's so probably for the best.......)

This is THE best I have personally tried when it comes to lip plumpers, I haven't found one which matches the effectiveness of this lip plumper.  I have re-purchased this product at least three or four times over the last 5 years or so.

Ta-daaa:

Sorry, not the best quality pictures...

They really do make such a massive difference, I think next time I would probably just purchase the Lip Injection Extreme, as I don't really tend to wear lip gloss much unless I am going out, I tend to stick to a good lip balm most of the time.

BE WARNED.....it DOES hurt when you first put it on, be prepared for it.... but you know what they say, no pain no gain!

It just makes your lips look lovely and luscious, and you really, really do notice the difference.  As I say I only tend to wear it on a night out as it's a bit OTT for the daytime look (for me personally.....I don't want to swan round work looking like Angelina Jolie 24/7 haha, I wish!)

It is a little on the pricey side but lasts me a while as I don't wear it too often.  

Just thought I would share this handy little secret with you all!

<3

Wavy Mermaid Hair//Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Waver

Wavy Wavy mermaid hair...........

Sometimes I get a little bored of my everyday hair so I thought I would mix things up a little and have some waves!

I used the Umberto Giannini Glam hair Marcella Waver which I would definitely recommend!  I wasn't sure which one to go for when I was originally buying this from Boots, there were a few different makes and this one was one of the cheaper ones.  I think it was also on sale which was good.

I actually forgot I had it, as I lent it to my sister a few months ago and she has had it ever since.  So I reclaimed it from her and waved things up.

It only took me about 15 mins to do my hair and you can select a few different heat settings.  It's a really nice, easy and quick style to do when you fancy a change :) 

It also stayed put all day without any hairspray which is a plus as I like having curls but usually find I have to coat them with a gallon of hair spray to make them stay put.

If it goes a bit frizzy, just apply some serum/argan oil which tames it and gets rid of frizz.

This is definitely one of my favourites among my many many hair appliances!

Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!

<3

Vo5 Give Me Texture Product Review

So, I have recently discovered a great love for Vo5 products and thought I would give the world my thoughts...

Usually my hair routine consists of washing my hair (with whatever is to hand) and leaving it to dry naturally - mainly because it seems to take my hair ages to dry with a hair dryer.

However, on a weekend when I have more time (especially if I happen to be going out) I tend to make more of an effort.  I like BIGGGG hair, volumised and bouncy.

Not the best picture but you get the point....

Anyway, my main tool for getting massive hair is the Babyliss Big Hair blow dryer tool.  It takes forever for me to get it all done nicely but I only tend to use it when I am going out or making an effort and it really does make your hair look wonderful!  I intend to do a separate blog around this anyway so I will save that for another day.

Anyway, my other secret, is Vo5 give me texture:

It is a powder which you just dust in to your hair, it makes your hair feel slightly funky but it is amazing!  If you are going for the volumised look, this will do wonders!  I just put a but of this along my roots and kind of mess up my hair with my fingers (or back comb it if I am feeling the need for even bigger hair).  If you feel like your hair is going flat again throughout the day you just have to give it another rough up and you will have wonderful volumised hair again.

It also smells lovely and is in a small tube so you can keep it in your bag (handy!)

I just thought I would share this with you all as it is a personal fave.  I have tried a few others which haven't worked anywhere near as well but I would definitely recommend the Vo5 powder.

Anyway, I am currently sat here with half wet hair so I had better go and run a hairdryer over it before I fall asleep with wet hair and wake up resembling a birds nest in the morning.

Good night x

Dryathlon.....

Oh one more thing..... I am doing the dryathlon this month - no drinking for January to raise money for Cancer Research, which is an excellent charity.

If you have even £1 to spare, please, please help me raise money for Cancer Research:

http://www.justgiving.com/dryathlete-katie-monks

Thank you! x

Update/new house

Bonjour you lovely bloggers!

Once again long time no update from my side!  I have been a very busy bee the last few months.  Just an update, and hopefully now I am in my own home (exciting!!) and settled and have internet access, my updates will be much more frequent.

I have recently moved in to my gran's old house which my dad has very kindly let me move in to, to save for a mortgage (hopefully for said house!)  It has taken quite a bit of work to get in, and I am still half at my parents half here, however I have decorated it beautifully (with the extra help and hard work of my wonderful boyfriend) and it is beginning to look and feel like home.

I will get some better pictures - but here are a few (not great quality) so you get the idea.....

My BEAUTIFUL dressing table <3

This was an old dark stained wood wardrobe which was my grans and had been in the house since the 60's which I painstakingly sanded down by hand and painted - it turned out pretty damn good if I say so myself (maybe I should have a career change?!)

And Last but not Least in any way shape or form - my wonderful sofa which is the most comfortable sofa ever!

........And me practicing handstands as you so....

Anyway - I will get some better quality pictures up this weekend, I am so lucky :)

I have been attending pole dancing fitness classes quite regularly since May (hence the handstand practice!) which I am really enjoying, it is so fun, and it is exercise at the same time - genius!

Anyway I shall leave you with this for now - I have some exciting product blogs to go up in the next week or so.

Take care!

x

Remember me?

I have neglected my blog for the longest time, but I think it's about time I get back in to the wonderful world of blogging.
I can't quite believe that in my last blog post I was waiting eagerly for summer!  Pink ballet pumps and pin stripe hot pants at the ready.  And now we are back to Autumn!

I have lots to fill you in on in the last 6 months of my life, I have had a drastic change of hair colour for one... I have had dark hair for years and now have decided to go light!  It has gotten gradually lighter and lighter over the summer.

Tadaaaaa:

Sorry, not the best picture, it's just one from my phone.

I also have a new job which is going well, being kept very busy, but I am enjoying it, and meeting lots of lovely people in the process.

Anyway, what have you lovely people been getting up to in the time I have been gone?

I am going to get some more exciting topics to blog about in the next few weeks but I thought I would just say "Im Back!!!!" first :)

x

Chapped peeling lips *sob*

So I have neglected this blog for a while - apologies for that!

Anyway, I have been keeping busy as usual!  I had a nice trip out to the Trafford Centre on Saturday.  Topshop currently has some beautiful clothing in, all in pretty summery pastel shades.  I bought a really cute pair of pink and white hot pants and a cute bra-let floral crop top.  I also got some AMAZING pink glitter ballet pumps.  I have been looking for pink glitter ballet pumps for ages, they are so cute!

I so won't be getting any wear out of these for the next 4 months judging on the weather!  So much for buying accordingly!

Anyway, enough of my blabbering and back to the point of this blog!

My lips are SO chapped at the moment, it is driving me crazy!  Nothing I have been using is working, and I do look after my lips, I never leave the house without some kind of lip balm.  Ever.  I usually carry my carmex with me everywhere, but that is just not helping at all.

They are chapped to the point where they just crack and chap the moment my lip balm wears off so I am constantly having to reapply lip balm all day.  It is horrendous and I can't go without applying lip balm as they irritate me and I end up licking my lips and making it ten times worse! :(

It is impossible to wear lipstick at the moment as it just highlights the problem and looks horrific.

So, I have had ENOUGH!!! I have been doing a little research and am trying a number of different things.  At the moment I am trying E45 cream as it seems to work miracles for other dry skin problems (I'm not sure if you're meant to wear it on your lips but I'm so fed up I am giving it a go!)

I will let you know how I get on with the E45.  I am going to apply a layer tonight before I go to bed because apparently that's the best time for healing them as you are not eating or constantly wearing the balm off.

If anyone else has any good tips, please, please, please let me know as it is driving me crazy!  I hall be forever in your debt!

I will  let you know how I get on and also let you know any other secrets I find along the way!

x

Dry Shampoo and LOADS to do!

Hi everyone!

I have been so busy this last week - It's our busiest time at work this time of the month so I have been working ridiculous hours to get everything done!  Was in work from 8 until about half 6 today which is quite a tedious day when your as busy as it has been!

I still attempt to put half decent make up on at 6 am, usually I look in the mirror in the lift in work and have a mild panic when I realise I have just traveled on public transport sporting a clown look.

Anyway, I have been trying to get some chill out time in the evening.  My mum bought me this wheat hot water bottle that you microwave.  It is lavender scented which is really nice and relaxing, I have been using it all week and it has certainly helped me chill out after a stressful day!  I suppose you could always get a normal wheat hot water bottle and put a few drops of lavender oil on really?

Anyway, dry shampoo has saved my life this week!  Especially when I roll out of bed at 6 am with awful flat lanky hair!  A few sprays of this and it looks as good as ever.  I use this quite a lot as it gives my hair a lot more body.

Anyway I shall do a proper update over the weekend.  I think I am going to go shopping on Saturday as I have been SO good this month, I feel the need to treat myself!  I'll update you with my purchases!

Lots of love

x

Pretty Dresses

Back to work again today.  The weekends seem to go so quickly!

So, one of my new years resolutions was to walk the stairs in work instead of getting the lift (we're on the 5th floor so it's quite a walk!) however, I keep forgetting and remembering once I step out of the lift, haha, how convenient!

Today I went and bought loads of fruit to keep in work so next time I am tempted to nibble on some chocolate, I will reach for the fruity stuff instead.  I just always stress that I don't eat enough fruit and veg, especially with all this 5 a day thing, I never seem to get all 5 in so maybe it will be easier if it's already there on my desk...... I'll let you know how that goes!

I am also drinking more water, although currently all it seems to be doing is making me need to pee more! (nice!)

I just feel constantly tired recently, I am sure the cold and dark weather probably doesn't help, but by the time I have got home from work and had tea, I'm pretty much ready to have a bath and bed!

Anyway, I'm sick of all the winter clothes and thick jumpers so today I thought I would put on a pretty dress and some thick tights:

Anyway, I shall update soon with something hopefully a little more exciting!

x

PS Check my Wellies!!

I love them!

x

Some of my favourite/most used products

I have been pretty useless recently at keeping updated on here.  I think it's the time of year when I finish work and all I want to do is come home get in to my PJ's, eat and then sleep!

I thought I would do a review of some of my favourite products for the past year (I have also realised that I need to branch out and stop making so many mac purchases!)

Mouisturiser:

I have only recently started using the "Make Yourself Youthful" rejuvenating face serum.  I just apply this under my normal mouisuriser, it makes my skin feel nice and soft and moisturised.  I suffer from really bad dry skin in the winter, so this just helps to add a bit more moisture!  I use the Soap & Glory "Wish Upon A Jar" face cream on and off, it says to apply this for 21 days at a time and is supposed to be a collagen overhaul.  It is quite a thick, rich cream which leaves a really nice glow to your skin (it also smells really nice) I'm not sure if it makes your skin look any more youthful, but it does leave you with nice smooth looking glowy skin and also creates a nice base for foundation.

Simple's Hydrating Light Moisturiser is my usual daily moisturiser, I love this product!  It is a really nice formula, not too heavy but leaves your skin lovely and moist.

Primer's/bases:

I love the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfecter, I usually put this on after moisturiser and sometimes I will wear this alone with powder over the top (usually on a work day if I can't be bothered doing my full make up).  The Too Faced Primed and Poreless is also a really nice primer, it leaves your skin feeling so soft and smooth and makes foundation apply flawless over the top.  I always use the Loreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer in smaller areas like around the nose and eyes, this product is REALLY good, definately one of my favourites!  It gives you a really flawless look.

Foundation & powder:

I really like the Mac Studio Fix Fluid - I usually get NC15 though I have to wear a bit of bronzer with this in the summer, it gives a nice natural looking finish with medium coverage.  If I am going out, sometimes I will put on a thin layer of Mac's Studio Sculpt Foundation underneath for a flawless look (I have quite a lot of freckles, especially in the summer - sometimes I like to show them, but other times I they annoy the hell out of me!) 

I then use a small sweep of Mac Mineralize Skin Finish in Medium.  This seals the foundation nicely without giving it that cakey/Matt look.  It's really natural looking, but as I say I only tend to use a small sweep of this.

Another Powder I really like is the Mac Magically Cool Liquid Powder in Truth & Light.  I wasn't too sure how to apply this when I first started using it, as it can give an uneven coverage if you use too much, it can also look too shimmery (It has a lovely shimmery glow to it) If used sparingly, it can give a beautiful glowing, dewy finish.

Highlighter:

I love highlighter's (maybe a little too much!)  I love the Soap & Glory Hocus Focus, you can wear it under your foundation for a nice glow, or mix it in to your foundation for more of a dewy, glowing finish.  I also like to dot this around my brow bone and cheek bone to give a lovely shimmer.  The Mac Lustre drop's are quite similar to the hocus focus, just a different colour/sheen.  Again with these you can mix to foundation to give a dewy look, or you can dot in certain areas as a shimmery highlighter.  I have only recently got the Lustre Drop's but they are already something I use all the time - you can use them all over I love them!

Another of my favourites is the Mac creme colour base in Shell.  I tend to use this as a highlighter and a base for eyeshadows, this again is a multi use product, it has a lovely peachy shimmer to it!

Blush/Bronzer:

Soap & Glory's Solar Powder is my favourite bronzer of all time.  It is just a really lovely buildable colour (Is buildable a real word?) I always tend to have a sweep of this as it just makes me look more alive as I have really pale skin!

The Bodyshop blush in petal is so pretty, again this is quite a "buildable" colour with a lovely shimmer.  I think this is my most used blusher!

Mac's Springsheen Sheertone shimmer blush is another of my favourites.  It is great for giving you a nice healthy peach glow.  I do think I need to purchase some blushers with a little less shimmer in, I'm just a sucker for shimmer!

I also fancy trying the sleek contouring kit as I have heard really good reviews!

What are your favourite products?  I want to try the Make Up Forever HD Foundation but I think I will watch a few reviews first and see what everyone's opinions are!

Anyway I had best go as my boyfriend is moaning due to the lack of attention haha!  We are making home made Nando's soon as well (yum!!!)

Lots of love

x

Christmas Wishes and New Years resolutions!

Okay, so this is going to be a rambling blog post as I have neglected this for pretty much the whole of Christmas and New year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time and got everything on your wishlist!  I was a very lucky lady this year!  I got the best presents ever!

I love my Vivienne Westwood necklace so much!  I dropped so many hints for that!  And then the Naughty Alice perfume was a lovely surprise, I wasn't expecting that, I also got a set of Mac brushes and the Naked eyeshadows - all of which I love!  

We spent Christmas in Wales with my boyfriends family which was lovely, and we got to see the beautiful little twins - they are so cute!

It was nice to just relax for once away from the busy city, it was strange how quiet it was when we got off the train!

New year was a bit of a last minute decision, we went to a friends house party which was a really good night and for once I wasn't actually hungover on new years day which was nice!  (Although I still spent the whole day in bed watching Ugly Betty - I think I am in love with Daniel Meade again)

Look at my lovely sequin dress! <3 

Anyway, I have loads to do before going back to work tomorrow (eg: tidying my room, look at the state of it in the picture, eeeek!)  I will update more often now I am back to my usual routine!  I have quite a few new beauty buys to write about soon as well!

x

Soap & Glory face scrubs/masks & daily update

I'm feeling a bit better today, just very snotty (nice) I have been sat at work with my hot water bottle all day which was nice and toasty!

Half way day is over, only two days until the weekend!  I have plans to meet up with some friends Friday evening, which I am looking forward to, it's an excuse to get dressed up and spend time with some of my favourite people.  I have a new sequin dress from Topshop which I may wear - it's very festive!

I thought I would post a quick personal review of some of my favourite soap & glory products.  I get really bad dry/flaky skin in the winter so I have to really keep on top of my skincare routine!  Damn winter!

Anyway, here are my favourite soap & glory scrubs/face masks:

First of all Soap & Glory Scrub your nose in it.  I really love this product, it is a face scrub which can also be a clay type mask if you want to leave it on for a bit longer.  It has that minty fresh tingle as well which feels like it really is unclogging your pores.  It leaves your skin feeling really polished and squeeky clean afterwards, I think this is possibly my favourite face scrub ever!

One of my other favourites which I ave only recently purchased is the Soap & Glory No clogs allowed.  This one is more of a face mask and I really love this product!  When you put it on it's a self heat mask so it has a really nice warming feel to it.  It also turns blue when it is activated (it comes out white at first) this obviously intrigued and amazed me haha!  You can then use it as a scrub at first and then leave it on for a further three minutes for really clean skin!  You also get a little pink sponge with it to sponge it off afterwards.

And last but not least - Soap & Glory the greatest scrub of all.  This is also a face scrub, kind of like the scrub your nose in it, except it doesn't have that tingly minty sensation.  It comes out white and has loads of little beads which pop on your skin.  This is also a really good face scrub and leaves your skin feeling all kinds of smooth afterwards!

All in all I would say that all three are really good products, if I had to chose only one, I think I would go for the S&G no clogs allowed as it is a scrub and a face mask all in one (plus you get the cute sponge!)

Another little product that is keeping me going this winter:

This stuff is literally my life saver at the moment, my lips are so chapped because of all the cold and wind.  If I keep applying this everyday, my lips are nice and moisturised for the weekend when I tend to abuse them with lipstick and lip gloss.  (My lips are always more crackly after a weekend of applying lip gloss - doesn't seem to stop me though).

Anyway I have written an essay here so I will give up now and get another early night I think.  I will also post some more fashion/clothes related posts when I stop living in skinny jeans and over sized cardigans in an attempt to keep warm!

Roll on summer!

Lots of love, take care

x

Feeling sorry for myself

It has been a really busy day in work - in fact it's going to be a hectic two weeks now until finishing for Christmas.  

I'm also feeling sorry for myself as I have been sneezing and sniffling all day, I don't think it helps that I am sat next to a window and there always seems to be a draft!  Looks like I will be having a lemsip, hot bath and an early night and I will hopefully be feeling better tomorrow.

Anyway, the cute items I bought from the makeup lady that comes in work with a stall cheered me up.  I think she is one of the company make up artist's who often sets up a stall near the canteen selling loads of pretty make up and cosmetics.  As always I am sucked in as soon as I see the mac products and usually leave feeling £50 lighter.  I was actually quite good this time and only bought two little treats:

How cute?  I was going to keep them for my self (selfishly!) but my sister really likes the mascara and my best friend really wanted the blush when I showed her so maybe I will give them as part of their Christmas presents, as I have more than enough to keep me going!

Anyway, I'm not going to go in to too much this eve as I need an early night!  My lovely mum just brought me up a lemsip! <3

I think I am going to go cheer myself up looking at potential holiday ideas, I have requested extra days this year (work run a scheme to take extra days holiday and they deduct the cost over the year) so I am planning a few trips away.  I have found this website where you can rent out old fashion style roman gypsy caravans - they look so cute!  http://gypsycaravanbreaks.co.uk/ Do any of you have any exciting holiday plans this year?

Lots of love, take care!

<3

Weekends fly by

I didn't get chance to update at the weekend, it has been quite hectic... Or maybe I have just been really lazy, either way, I shall update now with all of my weekend fun!

I had my work Christmas party on Friday night, after rushing around trying to get myself looking okay I completely forgot to take a picture of my very pretty dress!  (So I stole one someone else took!)

We went to Rosso in Manchester, which was quite posh (for me!!)  Here is my outfit etcetc:

I wore this lovely white lace dress which I somehow managed to refrain from spilling my tomato and pepper soup down.

I also opted for these amazing shoes, which are quite high for me as I normally go for flats or quite a low heel.  These were really cheap from New Look which is also a bonus!  I love their shoes as I normally just end up trashing any shoes, especially ballet pumps so New Look is really good for everyday shoes.

Then for the rest of the weekend I just ate far too much and chilled out.  I am currently reading I heart Vegas by Lindsey Kelk, who I am loving at the moment, her books just cheer you up and make you laugh so I'm sure you can imagine how lazy my weekend has been.

Only 9 working days left till Christmas, I am so excited, I am spending it in Wales this year with Mike's family, so that should be a nice change and break.

Work today has been tedious, I was having one of those days where all I wanted was to go home and hibernate.

Here is my outfit of choice for today - I just needed comfort so skinny jeans and a little checked shirt it was!

I don't often wear much make up for work so apologies for that!

Anyway, I have a few new products to show you soon so I shall keep updated.

<3

PS... this is me!  (Sorry it's quite a bad quality picture - I just took it on my I-phone!)

<3

So this blog is to record my thoughts and views as I go along my daily routine in my world.

I have quite a love for fashion and beauty products, so I will also be including bits of this as I go along.  (When I say quite a love, I should probably mention that I think I possibly have a problem in reality....)

Anyway, more about that later.  

I work full time as a payroll adviser at quite a large company in Manchester City Centre, which I enjoy most of the time, however I have more of a passion in fashion/make-up, hence me starting to do this as something more exciting to fulfill my more creative tendencies.

I have my Christmas party tomorrow so I am spending tonight pampering myself and relaxing.  (I really need to apply my fake tan soon as I am wearing a white dress and at this rate I am going to blend in to my dress being as pasty as I currently am).  

I also got slightly carried away in boots on my way home from work (I only popped in to get a tanning mitten) and I ended up returning home with all these lovely new items:

I'm really excited to try them, especially the Garnier Blemish Balm which promises to give me a natural airbrushed look.  I will report back anyway once I have tried them.  You should also know that I am a sucker for anything soap & Glory, call me shallow but I can't say no to the pretty packaging!  

Anyway I should probably get cracking or I will be turning up to my posh Christmas party with bush eyebrows, prickly, pasty legs and greasy hair, and we can't have that!

I will keep post tomorrow if I get a moment with my outfit/make up choices.

Lots of love

<3