A perfect match

A good number of months ago I picked up a sample of Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation after a recommendation from a friend. I’d never bought any Estee Lauder products before but the MUAs at the House of Fraser counter were lovely and colour matched me well. There was no stingyness about giving a sample either.

I used up all of the sample and when the weather started getting colder I felt the need for a bit more coverage than my tinted moisturiser, so I purchased 1 30ml bottle of the Double Wear foundation in shade 2N2 fresco 01. And I’d like to report that after at least two months of wear that I am a very happy customer!

Things I love about this foundation:
- On the bottle it says “Stay-in-Place Make-up” and this product does just that. One of my main requirements for any foundation I wear is that it must stay on my face and look flawless for as long as possible without touch ups. I don’t have time during the day to be checking my make-up and this has great lasting power.

- Shine control/finish. I have combination to oily skin but can occasionally suffer from the odd dry patch in winter. This foundation suits my skin perfectly. Its not ridiculously matt but is definitely more of a matt finish than dewy. Personally I love it as I can get to the end of the day and not look horribly shiny.

- No breakouts! Obviously this is a very individual thing but I’ve not had any adverse skin reactions whilst using this product.

- SPF 10

- Good colour match. They seemed to have a good range of colours and I am impressed how close a match the MUA chose for my skin colour. I often find that a lot of foundations are too pink and warm toned for my oriental skin tone but this is a pretty good match.

What could be improved about this product:
Make a pump!!! Please Estee Lauder I implore you to sell this product with a pump! The amount of waste is very sad. I did even go back to the counter and ask if they sold a pump separately but no joy. I just try to pour a small amount out on to the top of the lid and use it from there. It is annoying but I’m willing to make this small sacrifice for a great product!

So this is my perfect foundation of the moment! What’s yours? :)

Love Sarah xxx

When life gets in the way

When life gets in the way most things get thrown up into the air. Its been ages since my last blog post and that’s mainly due to life getting in the way of everything! There has been some rather horrific drama in my life recently – which was worthy of a Hollyoaks script. Lol (I don’t like Hollyoaks) I broke up with my bf of two and a half years and while that may not seem like a lot to some of you it’s the longest relationship I’ve been in and its all been quite a shock to the system.

In case you’re a bit nosy like me none of it was his fault and it was me who mucked up and needed out. I did some bad things and it wasn’t fair to him to drag out a failing relationship. So I’ve cried hysterically, felt ill with guilt and worry, and beaten myself up about it all, but at the end of it all, I’ve emerged a better and stronger person. And most importantly I haven’t felt this happy in ages! :)

Yes, its been hard but you survive. I didn’t mean to talk about this as much as I have but I’d like to mention two people’s blogs that have helped me so much. (Its possible a bit weird saying that two people who you’ve never met before can help you through difficult times but I truly love reading these people’s posts – and in many ways they have changed the way I think.)

1. Kandee Johnson (kandee the make-up artist). I first found kandee months and months ago on youtube and I instantly knew she was going to become a youtube star. Her blog is often about much more than make-up and fashion. Her writing and advice is inspirational and has encouraged me to be so much more positive and happy about life. (Her videos are also amazing – she is so enthusiastic and talented!)
2. Kim from Mermaid in a Manhole. I found Kim quite recently on blogger and I love her practical advice about life and various issues. She gives lots of really useful tips and ideas which has encouraged me to think differently about things.

Also check out this website which I found through Kim. Something really different. :)

Thanks for reading. I’m going to write some more blog posts on make-up now and post them soon.

Love sarah xxx

Ugly or cute?

Slipper boots. Discuss.

I bought a pair from Primark a few weeks ago and I LOVE them. Is this wrong? I feel like it should be. Afterall they aren’t really a necessity and no-one actually gets to see them bar about 3 people (mum, dad, bf).

And yet they are so ridiculously cosy and warm and I feel much cuter lounging about the house in them.

I actually want more pairs – but I am aware this would be excessive and unnecessary… but still…

What do you think? My mum thought they were ugly. Agree or disgree? Do you wear slipper boots?

A nasty surprise

This post is about a skincare product. I’m always a bit wary about writing about skincare as it’s such a personal thing. Therefore please be aware that I’m not trying to put you off buying or using this particular product, it may work wonders for you but I am simply blogging about my own personal experience.

I’m a bit fickle when it comes to skincare products especially cleansers. A while ago I tried this one:

Clean&Clear Deep Action Refreshing gel cleanser.

It was quite a spur of the moment purchase. My Body Shop Tea Tree cleanser was running out and I decided to try something new. I like Clean&Clear products and have used them in the past. I am also drawn to anything that says “oil free”.

For reference, I have combination skin with an oily t-zone and shine control issues. I also take acne medication. My skin is 20years old (well obviously I’ve not had those exact same cells for 20yrs but you know what I mean)

To start with I quite liked it. Nothing special but perfectly adequate cleanser. But then it happened…

My skin reacted. I’ve never experienced anything like it. (Bit dramatic but I don’t have sensitive skin). My chin and upper lip area went red, itchy and on closer inspection tiny white sports had appeared. The area felt uncomfortable, sore and tight for 2-3days. Not pleasant. I fixed it using some emollient cream I got from my doctor for a rash I had once and this did the trick nicely. The area still took about 5 days to recover totally. I also noticed that the rest of my face was affected but to less of an extent – basically got very dry.

I can now sympathise with anyone who suffers from sensitive skin or who has had this kind of problem. I felt quite traumatised afterwards!

Anyone else tried this product?
xxx

Winter Boots

One thing I love about autumn and winter is being able to wear boots. To be honest you could probably get away with wearing boots for the majority of the year here in Glasgow but I feel that in the winter months they become a necessity. At some point over the last year – I think it may have been early summer, around the same time of the winter jacket clearout – I also had a winter boot clearout. I got rid of one pair of short ankle boots from Aldo which were cute but hurt, and another pair of flat just below the knee boots from River Island – much loved but worn done.

Therefore at a month of two ago now I decided I needed new boots. It wasn’t so much a “need” or a “want” more a deeper knowledge from within that this purchase HAD to be made. I also wanted to buy early in the season to be prepared for the no doubt sudden change in weather and the numerous wet, cold Scottish days. Additionally, buy early = maximum wear = good value for money. :)

Justification done.

So randomly I was in TKMaxx with my mum (not somewhere I usually go but have come across wonderful hidden gems) and I found THE WINTER BOOTS. I wasn’t even actively looking. It was love at first sight. They ticked all my boxes in what I was looking for in my winter boot.

Flat/low heel
Black
Leather
Below the knee

Very comfortable and priced at a reasonable £40.

Job DONE.

Since purchasing I have worn these almost every day. They are comfortable, keep my feet warm and dry, and go with everything. I couldn’t ask for more.

For completeness to this post I thought I’d also share with you my gorgeous Dune boots which I got in the sale last year. These are my “going out winter boots”. Happy times. :)

Do you have winter boots? What are they like?

xxx

Oh dear

Just realised its been almost a month since my last post. This is shocking. And yet still I have gained a few new followers. Thank you so much for clicking that magic "follow" button. :) I've decided to adopt a new approach - write a number of blog posts when time, save then publishing over a few days. I've done three so far so keep a look out for those. :)

xxx

She deserves a crown or at the very least a very special cupcake. :)

I purchased Baliste Dry Shampoo a while ago. I probably hear about it from YouTube or Blogger I can't remember which now. Possible lollipop26 had something to do with it. I bought the Tropical one and I quite liked it. So much so that I repurchased it. I didn't love it but I thought it was a good product and useful for freshening up your hair.

Then I read a blog, watched a video and I can now say that in some small way Gemma of Gem's Maquillage and Baliste shampoo have changed my life. Quite a big statement I hear you say, well hear is the story behind it. :)

Before these life-changing events this is how I used Baliste:

• Occasional usage mainly at night before bedtime so that when I woke up the "whiteness" would have disappearred from my black hair.
• Application involved random, fairly liberal spraying throughout hair. Think hairspray kind of movements.

At the weekend I was reading Daisy's blog at Cupcakes and Cherries (for exact post click that sexy link) and she mentioned Baliste shampoo and how she wasn't using it properly. She included a link to a video that showed you how to use it properly.

I admit my initial thought was how can someone make a video about this. (Terribly judgemental of me I know. I have my tail firmly behind my legs now.)

So I watched the video. Freaking awesome is the only way to describe it. Check it out here. (In case of crazy link issues its Gemma at Gem's Maquillage on YouTube)

I was using it sooooooo unbelievably wrong. I tried it the way that Gemma shows in the video yesterday and WOW. What a difference. My hair felt and looked so much cleaner. :) And equally importantly it was quick and easy. :)

So thank you Gemma. :) In my opinion, (as the title says) you do deserve a crown or at least a nice cake. :)

xxx