Nicki Minaj for O.P.I

 Niki Minaj for O.P.I Mini's £12.75 @ BeautyBay.com

        L-R Did It On 'Em, Fly, Pink Friday & Metallic 4 life

Really glad I finally got my mitts on these! I love every single colour and can't wait to wear them this spring. I think my Favourite is probably "Pink Friday" such a lovely bright bubblegum pink!

Nicki Minaj for O.P.I Spring 2012

Collection Contains 3.75ml mini bottles of:

• Did It On Em - A hot lime green polish with a cream finish.
• Fly - A creamy neon, turquoise polish with a glossy finish.
• Pink Friday - A pastel bubble gum pink shade with a glossy finish
• Metallic 4 Life - A black polish loaded with silver glitter.

Available at beautybay.com here

New Products: Purchases of Late

 Clockwise from left: Tigi S Factor Leave in moisture spray : No7 Midnight Enchantment Blush : O.P.I Nail Envy : Moroccan Oil : A.S.P Nail Whitening Paste : Superdrug Dry Shampoo : Blistex Intensive Moisturiser : Flexitol Cuticle & Nail cream : Garnier BB cream

This may seem a huge amount of new purchases and I say "purchases of late" but maybe the title should be "things I have acquired" as alot of these bits I have either been given, bought at trade price or paid for with Boots points, saving the pennies people, saving the pennies.

 Hair

Tigi S factor Papaya Leave in moisture spray: A leave in conditioner for dry, damaged hair. I have been spritzing this into my hair when it's damp to help detangle and keep my hair moisturised. Smells delicious! I bought this from Salon Services at trade price, but It is available at feeluique.com for £12.65

My Mum kindly gave me a bottle of Moroccan Oil (Thanks mama!!!) It's only the handbag size bottle but I am so happy with it, I can safely say this is the best hair product I have ever used, cannot get enough of it. If I had to only use one hair product ever again, this would be it. The 25ml bottle is available at feelunique.com for £12.85

In need of a cheap dry shampoo I picked up this one from Superdrug on offer for 99p, It's the Chocolate Brownie for dark hair version, haven't used this yet but I'll let you know how It compares.

Nails

My nails are easily stained from nail polish and fake tan, to combat this problem I have been using A.S.P Whitening Nail Paste and the scrubbing brush that came in the kit. For use weekly, it pretty much does what it says on the tube, removes stains and brightens my nails, nothing more to say, it works! Purchased from Salon Supplies for around £3.50, available on sallyexpress.com  for £6.38

I had a mini sample of O.P.I's original Nail Envy strengthener a few months ago and it worked wonders for my weak nails, but at £18.65 for the full size I was put off re-purchasing it. That was until I found it in Salon Services for around £8!! I have been layering this on every other day to keep my nails strong and healthy. Available at Boots for £18.65.

A recommendation from another blog for very dry cuticles and hang nails I picked up the Flexitol Cuticle and Nail cream from Boots, this is really brilliant stuff if you have persistent dry skin around the nail bed like I do. It's super moisturising and soothing and is keeping my nails looking pretty. Available at Boots for £5.10

Face

Boots No7 Blush from the Midnight Enchantment Collection is a very pretty pearly pink trio with a subtle sheen that leaves cheeks looking beautifully flushed. Limited Edition from Boots at £13.

In need of a tinted moisturiser for lazy days, I remembered I had a sample of Garnier all in one BB cream to try out, after testing it for a couple of days and being pleasantly surprised by how good it was I went out and grabbed the full size in medium from Boots, It was on offer for £7.49, usual price £9.99. 

As a suffer of what feels like constantly dry lips, I think lip balms are probably the one product I have most of. Once again I convinced myself I needed another lip balm, and this was the culprit. It is literally a moisturiser for your lips, it's a creamy white formula that doesn't initially seem very hydrating, but once it has sunk it fully, It leaves my lips moisturised without feeling like I have a "balm" on them. I think this retails for around £2.50.  

 Real Techniques Core Collection                Real Techniques Blush Brush

After much hype around how good these brushes were and the fact they are now available to buy from Boots online and larger Boots stores, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get them for myself. I have only been using these for a couple of weeks but I LOVE them! Great quality, super soft, work a treat! I have washed them to find they dry really fast and retain their shape perfectly. These brushes are also great for beginners or people on a budget as they are brilliant value for money. The core Collection (pictured left) Consists of the buffing brush, contour brush, pointed foundation brush and a tiny detailer brush. I have been using the buffing brush for foundation, it works well with liquid and mineral. The contour brush is the perfect size for defining those cheek bones and I have found the pointed foundation brush works wonders for under eye concealing. 

The blush brush on the right is one of the brushes that are sold separately, it is so soft and fluffy and the perfect size for power or blusher. 

Real Techniques Core Collection £21.99 and Real Techniques Blush Brush £9.99 available at Boots

Feel unique Beauty Box February 2012

At first glance, I'm not sure why, but I wasn't all that fussed about this months box. After chatting on the phone with Lucy about her February Glossy box, which is really great this month btw, I felt like maybe I would have been better of with a Glossy box subscription. Then I sat down and went through the product descriptions and  I realised that actually I will use most, if not all the products included in my Feel unique box. I think the thing lacking from this months box is simply the absence of a "wow" product, theres not that one product that really stands out and makes you want to sample it straight away this time, not for me anyway. However overall, after closer inspection, I do like it. 

The product I'm most looking forward to is Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer, one because I am a sucker for anything the promises to help repair my damaged hair, and two because there was a lot of hype around it when a sample was included in a GlossyBox a few months back. It's a intensive, super-moisturising pre-shampoo treatment that adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine. I'll let you know how I get on with this one!

Also included are a decent sized (100ml) Elemis Lime and Ginger body wash, this will be going into my travel wash bag because of it's handy size. The mini Leighton Denny nail polish in Steel Appeal is a lovely deep midnight blue with with a slight silver shimmer and will make a nice addition to my polish collection. A product which I have sampled before is the Nuxe multi use dry oil. This can be used on face, body and hair but my favourite thing to do with it is slather it on my legs post-shower to make them silky smooth and moisturised. Im a little dubious about the Decleor Phytopeel, not because of the brand but because I'm pretty dedicated to my current Skincare routine. This spa-smelling iridescent cream is an exfoliating peel mini-mask to be used twice a week, as I don't have a mask in my routine I think I might just give this a whirl!

The one and only sample I don't like is the Jean Paul Gaultier Kokorico fragrance, for me it's just far too musky and masculine. 

So after second thoughts on this months box, whilst now bowled over by any of the products, I am quite looking forward to trying them out!

 The Feel Unique beauty box is available on subscription from feelunique.com for £10 a month. 

Today's Face: Lana Del Rey inspired

Lana Del Rey- Born to Die Video

This week I've mainly been listening to the new album from Lana Del Rey, which get the thumbs up from me! After seeing the video for Born to die and realising that Lana's make-up is generally always lovely, I decided to re-create her make -up from the video. The products I used are pictured above and listed below, I left out the false lashes as I thought it might be a bit much for a trip to Nando's!

Make-up used:

Jemma Kidd Light as Air foundation in 02    Collection 2000 Concealer in 02 light    MAC blush in Melba    Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque    Sleek i-Divine Natural Palette    HD-Brows palette    Bobbi Brown Gel Liner    Shu Umera eyelash curlers    Lancome Definicils Mascara    Rimmel Scandaleyes Mascara    Topshop Lipstick in Hazard (could have done with being a bit darker really)

Skincare Routine

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish 100ml + 2x Muslin cloths £13.75   Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic 200ml spray £12.50  Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser for Normal/Combination skin 50ml Jar £18.25

Origins Eye Doctor Cream 15ml £25

No7 Total Renewal Micro-dermabrasion Exfoliator 75ml £11    Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate 10ml Rollerball £19

Recently my skin has considerably improved in condition and I have been receiving a fair few comments on it. Im pretty sure it's down to this skincare routine which I have been using for around 8 months now. Before I started using these products my skin was very dry and recovering from a bout of adult acne which started a couple of years ago, my skin was dry, dull and covered in acne scars, yuk.

The cleanse, tone and moisturise    (picture 2)

You've probably seen this range of skincare a million times by now but I cannot stress enough how brilliant it is. Every morning and evening I slather my dry face with the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish hot cloth Cleanser and massage into my face until it almost disappears. Taking the muslin cloth under a hot tap, I start to buff it over my skin in circular motions until all the cleanser is gone. This cleanser leaves my skin feeling really soft and clean, the creamy formula contains rosemary, chamomile, coco butter and eucalyptus which smells delicious. Using it with the muslin cloth ensures a gentle daily exfoliation which has seen my acne scars almost completely disappear. 

After patting my skin dry I spritz the Liz Earle instant boost skin tonic all over, this is my favourite step,  with no alcohol, infused with cucumber and containing vitamin E this refreshing toner leaves my skin feeling super fresh and soothed, ready for moisturiser.

Before using my face moisturiser I dab a tiny amount of the Origins Eye Doctor Eye cream under my eyes. I then take a 20p sized blob of the Liz Earle Skin repair moisturiser and massage it into my skin. This moisturiser feels really rich and luxurious, it does take a little while to sink into the skin but once it has, it leaves my face feeling soft, balanced and non sticky. It contains natural actives including borage and avacado oil to moisturise and protect. 

Eye Cream  (picture 3)

Ok, so I know I'm only 21 but honestly I'm hugely scared of looking old before I need to, so last year I made a promise to myself to start taking good care of my skin. This included purchasing an eye cream to keep my under eye area hydrated. As an ex suffer of dry skin and eczema I felt this was essential. I say "ex sufferer"of dry skin under my eyes because thanks to this little (expensive) pot of loveliness I no longer get dry skin or eczema under my eyes, result. Origins Eye Doctor cream contains cucumber, rosemary, ginseng and green tea to help fight free radicals, hydrate and soothe the sensitive skin around the eye area. I dab this around the eyes orbital bone morning and night just before I moisturise my face.

Weekly treatments (picture 4) 

Because I use a muslin cloth on my skin everyday I already get a soft exfoliation, however once a week I like to use the No7 Total renewal Micro-dermabrasion exfoliator to help my skin renew and repair.  This is basically a home micro-dermabrasion treatment. The super finely milled micro-crystals work to take away the top layer of (dead) skin to improve appearance, tone and texture. I have been using this product for a few years now and it's one I will continue to use for years to come, the texture and appearance of my skin after using this is dramatic. It leaves my skin feeling so soft and has seen most of my acne scarring diminish, it really is amazing! 

The other product in my weekly treatments is the Liz Earle Super Skin Concentrate, this is a an intense blend of aromatic plant oils including softening argan and organic rosehip oils, soothing neroli, lavender and chamomile essential oils plus antioxidant natural source vitamin E. One night a week I skip moisturising in favour of this skin oil, I roll it all over my face before bed and leave it overnight to restore and balance my skin. In the morning my skin feels smooth, plumped and soft. 

So that's it, My skincare routine. Im really happy with all the products I use and feel no need to change or add anything new. Mainly thanks to Liz Earle it's no longer dry or dull, my acne scars are becoming more reduced everyday and I now very rarely get any breakouts, thanks Liz!!

Liz Earle Skincare is available at uk.lizerle.com or at John Lewis stores.

Origins can be found online at origins.co.uk or at Boots and House of Fraser Stores. 

No7 is available at all Boots Stores. 

Everyday Make-up

 select 720p HD for best quality by clicking this little cog here ^^

This is a quick video on my everyday make - up routine, hope you like it!

the weekend post - Cornwall

 Last weekend was spent in St. Ives Cornwall with Lucy and Lucy visiting Little Lucy's Mum. We spent our days pottering around the town, spending money in the Cath Kidston sale, eating too many cornish pasties and pony trekking around the cornish countryside, lovely.

what did you get up to this weekend?