Creating Shine with Deborah Milano

I was contacted by the lovely people over at Deborah Milano who said they would like to send me a lipgloss or lipstick to review, I said I'm a huge fan of red lip colours and erm, YES PLEASE! For those who don't know of Deborah Milano, an Italian cosmetics and skincare brand now coming across the channel into the UK. I received this the day after they had emailed me and struggled so hard to not apply it before taking pictures. Although, I waited patiently to not ruin any of the pictures I've took for you guys.

 (For anyone wondering, my nail polish is Quicksand from the A/W Headline Colours range) 

I was sent the Shine Creator Lipstick in number 12. Look at the packaging... I can't stop staring at it in sheer awe. It's the most beautiful glossy, hot pink casing, with Deborah Milano's logo on the side (duh, you can all see that...) I also recieved a sample of their BB cream, which I haven't had chance to try yet, and a sample of another lipstick, in a fuschia pink shade, which I don't particularly suit, so I've decided to give this one to my Aunty to test out.

And too add to the luxurious feel, look at the embossing on the lipstick itself...

The lipstick prides itself on having 3 in 1 properties, those of a lip balm, lipstick and gloss. It performs similarly to Revlon Lip Butters, but I definitely prefer this lipstick, it is very hydrating. As with most hydrating and glossy formulas, the colour doesn't last long on the lips, but this isn't a problem, as thanks to the beautiful packaging, I can't help but want to whip it out every couple hours anyway! 

It's a very versatile lipstick, with it being so buildable, you have the choice between a sheer lip colour, or a full red colour. The first swatch is three layers of the colour, the second is one. Does this make it 4 in 1? Shine, hydration, protection and multiple colours... It's definitely an all-rounder, put it that way.

I'd just got out the shower before taking these snaps, and I scrubbed all of my fake tan off and didn't apply any make-up, so I feel like I should apologise for my absence of make-up and casper-like skintone. Oops...

Thanks guys for sending me this brilliant lipstick, I absolutely adore it!

Follow the lovely DM team on Twitter here.

Wishes and Wants #4

Wow, my fourth wishlist already? This means, I want a lot of things, which sounds about right where I'm concerned...

But before I start, I'm gonna be all soppy on y'all... I reached 100 followers the other evening, and I'm beyond flattered! Thank you so, so much! To thank you, I'm going to do a giveaway, related to one of my most popular/most mentioned products on my blog. So far, I've been considering (as well as other little things!) Bumble's Surf Spray, Origins GinZing moisturiser, an assortment of Crownbrush makeup brushes, or maybe a high-end mascara?! Feel free to say anything you've seen on my blog, as of course I want the gift to be related to my blog, instead of something silly! What do you all think? I'd love to hear your opinions, after all, I don't want to be doing a giveaway no one cares about entering! Oh, and one more... Rafflecopter, yay or nay? Do you prefer entering giveaways via comments, or rafflecopters?

This wishlist is actually an outfit, which I want need for my birthday, which I cannot believe is only a month away! It only feels like a couple months ago we went for a birthday shopping spree in Chester, then got stuck in traffic for about four hours in the boiling heat on our way home. It wasn't the best experience, considering the car's air-con had stopped working...

Dress- Free People

Shoes - Faith at ASOS

Bag - ASOS

Nail Polish - Emprise by Chanel

Sunglasses - Jeepers Peepers

This beaut of a dress popped up on my Facebook feed this morning and just immediately made me think of a birthday dress. It's a little on the pricey side, but who doesn't love to feel beautiful and fashionable on their birthday? The dress has the perfect bohemian edge for my liking, and I've been looking for a fringed bag for so long, this one is absolutely perfect, and would look incredible with this dress. 

I've also fallen in love with these shoes, the pointed toe, cut out detailing, medium heel and ankle strap make for pretty much everything I go for in a pair of heels. (I'm not too sure if that makes sense... this mornings HTML and CSS ventures have scrambled my brain cells... Not that they weren't already scrambled.) I'm also pretty lucky having my birthday on July 24th, as it seems to always be sunny! I'm not over-exaggerating when I say, it can pour down every single day on the run up to my birthday, but will be so warm and sunny on the 24th, then back to rain on the 25th, so I usually need some sunnies. These Jeepers Peepers "Audrey" sunglasses are absolutely gorgeous! And the price is so reasonable, I need these to finish off my outfit!! 

Birthday's aren't the time to experiment with make-up and beauty, you just want to pick your favourite things, and feel as amazing as possible. Emprise by Chanel looks like a beautiful pale pink, which is pretty much my go-to nail colour. Beauty wise, I'll have my clip-in extensions in, with a natural wave to my hair, a nude lip and probably minimal eye-makeup with full lashes, using my Eylure individual lashes on the outer corner of my eye. 

Love all you lovely lot, it's nearly the weekend, thank god! How are you spending yours? I'll be shopping for all

Favourite Things #2

I cannot believe its been a month since I last posted my Monthly favourites in the form of my "Favourite things" where does time go? Anyway, sharing what new things I've been loving, what things I've rediscovered, and the things still taking pride of place in my favourite things.

Beauty Favourites

Eylure Individual Lashes in Black (Short)- I got these off Amazon, as I didn't know you could actually buy them in packs by length. I've bought the packs in Boots before, and the "Long" ones in the packs are pretty much pointless, they are SO long that they look way too Barbie-esque for my liking. For day-wear, I like sticking a couple of these at my lash line for more volume. I tend to use these when I wear a smokey-eye, as without full-looking lashes, my eyes can look a little sleepy (probably not, it's my nervous Nelly coming in there...)

Eylure Dylash (Black)- Not a new discovery for me, but it is in this shade, as I used to buy the dark brown one for my blond-ish eyebrows, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. I was terrified of trying the black as I thought it would be way too obvious, but when I went in Boots and this was all they had on the shelves, I decided I'd go for it. This works tons better than the dark brown, makes my brows look fuller, lasts a lot longer than the dark brown and makes me look a lot less brow-bald (another new-term I've coined!) when wearing no make-up

Seche Vite Dry Fast Top coat- Brought forward again, from last months favourites, I LOVE this top coat, and since using it, have seriously noticed a difference in how long my nail polish lasts, and how the tips don't wear as much as they had previously.

Revlon Nail polish in Gray Suede- I'd been hunting for a perfect non-sheer nude nail colour for a while now, and my Nan chose this one out whilst there was a 3 for 2 offer on in Superdrug last weekend. I've been loving it since! It has the teeniest shimmer, which stops the nail polish looking dull, but doesn't make it look glittery.

Clarins Liquid Bronze Self-tanning- Another one which has popped up in my favourites previously, I love this bronzer for achieving a healthy glow. I put a tiny amount on at night after my moisturiser and wake up looking fresh and glowing.

Origins GinZing Moisturiser- I won't ramble too long, you've probably already seen my review (if you haven't, it's here) but I LOVE this product, and it had been my day moisturiser since the day it came through the door.

Maxfactor Masterpiece Max- An old favourite of mine, and one of the only mascaras I've repeatedly repurchased. I picked this out of my mascara drawer by mistake, but I'm glad I did. Myself and this amazing all-rounder have restarted our love affair.

Burt's Bee's Pomegranate Replenishing lip balm- I've had this for quite a while, but as my Baby Lips balm is running out, I've been reaching for this more. It definitely protects and heals the lips more than any other balm I've tried, but can occasionally feel a little heavy. I've been using this every night before I go to sleep, and waking up to smooth, soft, plump lips.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray- This is also another time this has popped up. I'm going to review this next week, after the love it received on my Instagram picture I thought I should share just how incredible this bad boy is for giving you ideal surfer beachy locks.

MAC Conceal and Correct Palette in Light- It's no secret that I am a lover of fake tan, although I can be quite partial to a more porcelain and gothic look, so foundations and concealers started to become a problem for my ever-changing skin tone. I got this a couple months back when it came out so that I have concealers for days when I'm a little paler, and also a little tan. I'd never used correctors before, and these are ideal for covering up blemishes and dark circles. I love this palette, and if any of the shades run out, I will definitely be buying them as a full-size version. (These are the Studio Finish concealers, and offer a medium/full coverage)

YSL Rouge pur Couture in Blond Ingenu no 24- I bought this after hearing it was Lana Del Rey's signature lip colour. Whether that's true or not, I don't know, but it definitely reminds me of something that she would wear, and looks incredible with all make-up looks, not to mention the beautiful signature YSL packaging, and the moisturising qualities of this lipstick.

Roberto Cavalli EDP- One I put on my birthday list last year, I've been reaching for this more than some of my others recently. I'd describe the scent as floral, however much unlike some of the floral perfumes, it isn't sickly sweet, and feels much more sensual and seductive. It lasts quite a while on me too, however I know this is a personal thing. I tend to reapply every few hours, I usually go for about 4/5 with this scent, to keep myself smelling like roses (okay, not technically roses...)

Non-Beauty Favourites

The non-beauty related favourites this time haven't actually lasted me a whole month. This Blackberry and Elderflower herbal tea from Whittard is incredible, and one of my favourite drinks of the moment. I try to avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine, but like a hot drink before bed, so this is perfect. I already have a few boxes as backup I love them that much!

This one hasn't particularly lasted me a month, I started reading it about 5 days ago, and it is the last book in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Of course I had mixed emotions about reading this, with it being the end of the thirteen-book series, I was inevitably excited, yet sad to finish it. I'd glanced over reviews on Amazon before I'd started to read it, all saying they were left disappointed and wanting more, however I thoroughly enjoyed the ending, and thought it was unexpected, it completely broke the boundaries of the "love triangle" which every plot, whether it be book, or film, seems to be adopting currently.

Hope I haven't waffled on too much, and you've enjoyed this post.

My MAC Lipstick Collection

You know how I promised absolutely ages ago that I'd share my MAC lipstick collection (and eyeshadows, but I'm working on it) with you, well, I've finally got my butt into gear and took the pictures for it. I currently have ten MAC lipsticks, and I know that it isn't as many as some people, but if you consider that I never wore lipstick until about 9 months ago, I think I've developed quite the collection. Hope you enjoy.

Left to Right: Shy Girl (Cremesheen), Jubilee (Lustre), Cosmo (Amplified Creme), Faux (Satin), Chatterbox (Amplified Creme), Viva Glam Nicki (Satin), Lady Danger (Matte), Ruby Woo (Matte), Russian Red (Matte), Rebel (Satin)

I probably wouldn't be able to tell you my favourites of the bunch, as I do genuinely love them all equally. But I'd say that the ones I get the most wear out of are Cosmo, Faux, Lady Danger and Ruby Woo.

The brightness of Viva Glam Nicki really hasn't shown up in either of these pictures, it's a very bright yellow-toned pink, and something I'd usually turn my nose up at, "Me? Pink? I'll look like an idiot!" But this is one of those colours which everyone seems to compliment whilst I'm wearing it! It is also brilliant for a spin on a pin-up look, and I tend to always wear this with a contoured cheek, a cat-eye liner and voluminous lashes.

I'm quite lucky in the way that I have quite the neutral skin-tone and can get away with reds with both blue and orange undertones, and I bet you can't tell. I like my matte reds can you? I love wearing a matte lip, as I sometimes think glossy ones can make your lips look bigger, and this is the last thing I need. I use Ruby Woo to create a pin-up look, and Lady Danger I tend to use with a more minimal make-up to draw attention to this incredible orangey-red matte lip colour.

Despite how similar the nudes I have actually look, they do look quite different on the lip (I promise. Any excuse...) Shy Girl is a slightly sheer/orange toned nude, Jubilee being similar but more brown toned. Cosmo is almost like the opaque version of Jubilee, a rich pink/brown tone, and Faux is similar to this, but a little pinker, and a lot lighter in colour.

Left to Right: Shy Girl (Cremesheen), Jubilee (Lustre), Cosmo (Amplified Creme), Faux (Satin), Chatterbox (Amplified Creme), Viva Glam Nicki (Satin), Lady Danger (Matte), Ruby Woo (Matte), Russian Red (Matte), Rebel (Satin)

Hope you all have a brilliant weekend! I promise I'll bring you my MAC x15 eye palette collection soon! But I can tell you in advance, it's pretty much neutrals, neutrals and more neutrals.

Lots of love.

Holy Grails A'plenty - Neal and Wolf

Hi you beautiful lot! I thought I'd share a little review with you all today, as this product has featured on my blog before in a monthly favourites, but it is such a big part of my routine that I felt I should review it in more depth. 

Any female with natural curly (and thick, yikes!) hair will understand the constant battle with hair tools to manage your hair, and the importance of using the right products. And regardless of whether or not your hair is naturally curly, straight or wavy, thick or thin, if you use hot styling tools, a heat protectant should be a part of your hair-care routine. For pretty much the past four years, I've been searching for the perfect one and have tried an array of brands, from the cheap Tresemme, to the more expensive Label M. I asked my hairdresser if she had any recommendations, and at the time, they had just received a shipment of Neal and Wolf products, so she said I should try this. 

My main issue with the Tresemme heat protection spray, and the other brands I have tried, is the fact that they leave your locks feeling limp and lifeless, and leave a dreadful product buildup and sometimes feel a little crispy. Neal and Wolf's offering is lightweight, doesn't feel like any product is on the hair, and the smell is so divine I want to be able to find a perfume of this in the near future. So, if you're in the market for a amazing smelling spray to protect your hair from heat damage, but leave your hair looking as incredible as Blake Lively's, get this!

I buy this at my hairdressers, but I believe you can buy it from Beauty Bay, and it costs somewhere around £10 a bottle. I've only just bought a backup and have been using it regularly since last July! So yes, its well worth the money!