Monday 29 July 2013

Bourjois Bronzing Primer Review and Swatches

Hip-Hooray-Hi

How are you doing today beauties? I am excited to write this review because I have been testing this product out for the last few weeks but I wanted to wait before I dived in head first and recommended something that wasn't as brill as I thought.

So let me start by saying that the Bourjois Bronzing primer is £9.99 in Boots but in Superdrug it is only £6.99. I bought it in Boots (dog damnit). But when I repurchase it will be form Superdrug for shiz!

Anyhoo lets get on with the review...

At first glance the colour in the pot is very similar to the Sleek bronzer from the light contour palette and the Bourjois Bronzing Powder in medium/51 but I can assure you, it is very different. I could go on forever about the differences but that would make for a very long post. All I will say is that in my opinion it is a lot better than the other two in terms of colour, blendability and overall texture.



The consistency of the Bourjois Bonzing Primer is a lovely smooth and silky mousse. It is extremely blendable and buildable which makes it easy to apply. You can build the colour until your heart is content. I am cautious to say that it would be suitable for very pale skin but it is definitely worth a try because the consistency and colour is so fabulous. Not a hint of dirty mud or orange anywhere in sight.

I just can not say enough good things about this product. It is definitely my holy grail bronzer (not my holy grail primer). That would be my only negative, it is not the best primer I have used. Products like Benefits Porefessional do a better job of actually priming, although it does smooth out the skin somewhat. I would think of it as more of a bronzer if you are buying it as a primer you may be slightly disappointed.

I have been using it for contouring and as an all over daily tanner for my face. I have used it over foundation, I have used it under foundation, over primer and under Primer. I have also used it on its own.  It has performed brilliantly in every single task. It has so many uses and it really is up to you what you want to do with it.

I can honestly say that this little tub of goodness has brought a lot of joy to my life and pale face over the past few weeks. 

It is especially useful if, like me, you don't use any type of self tanner or gradual tanner on your face (they give me spots) because now you can have a matching face and body. Result!

Seriously girls this is a great product. It works well with my Real Techniques buffing brush to apply all over my face and my Real Techniques contour brush for contouring, don't worry if you have neither of these as I am sure it would work well with any number of brushes and of course you can always use your fingers.

I have given it a 9/10 for packaging because there is nothing fancy about the packaging although it does the job well, and a 9/10 in value 4 money purely because I paid £9.99 for it and I feel like at the rate I am going it wont last long enough to give it a 10. If I had paid the £6.99 I would have given it 9.5/10.





I would love to hear if you have tried it or if you are going to purchase it.



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Thursday 25 July 2013

My very first WHAT'S IN MY BAG Video!!!!


Hi guys and gals.

I have just posted my first what's in my bag video! I would love to hear what you think about it.

Watch below



Lots of love



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Wednesday 24 July 2013

HAUL POST | Bargain Shopping Haul!!!


Hi-diddley-ho there!

So off I went to Poundworld, land or whatever it is called and thought I would see what make up they had. Well I was very surprised. First of all I found this amazing Sally Hansen neon pink nail varnish (Hard as Nails Extreme Wear 310) and I was DELIGHTED because I had been looking everywhere for a proper neon pink and couldn't find one. Then I happened across the Revlon bright pink (Sweet Tart 185) and was again, delighted! Revlon nail varnish for £1? Yes please.

I had to have a really good rummage through at the hanging makeup because they put it all in the small plastic bags, which you can see above in the second pic. So there I was taking them all of... I am sure the store assistants were delighted watching me. Ha ha oh well, I had to find the best items didn't I?

Next I found this beautiful Revlon colourstay polish (040 Provence) in what I would describe as a beautiful Jimmy Choo purple grey. If you have seen the Choo dustbags or shoe boxes you will knoww what I mean. I actually want my walls this colour, I digress....

I also spotted some Sleek lipsticks. Now I have never owned one but I hear good things so for £1 you can't go wrong. I found this beautiful pink with a hint of gold (Satin 813). Gorgeoso!

And last but not least what do I find? nail art pens.. yes and for £1. They had white and pink too but I felt I would only use the black. To be honest there is not much difference between this one and the Models Own one which costs £6. So this my friends is an absolute bargain.

Then off I popped to TK Maxx, which I love by the way. See my tips on shopping in bargain stores here. I crept up to the home department and tested out some arm chairs.. well you've got to see if they are comfy or not don't you! When I spotted these amazing vanity jars. Real glass, proper and amazing. Such fantastic quality. And totally perfect for my new dressing table (when I finally get it). So I HAD to get them. The jars with lids were  £7.99 each and without lids were £5.99 each. Honestly I am delighted. These are totally perfect to store my makeup brushes and hair clips or cotton balls in.  Yay for me.

And there you have it my beauties. Another day another bargalicious shopping trip.

What do you think? Have you bought any juicy bargains recently?



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Tuesday 23 July 2013

Home Decor | Dressing Table Ideas and Inspiration

Traditional dressing table ideas


Hi diddey-ho there neighbours!

today is a post about something which I love and has been on my mind because I am redecorating.  The beauty lovers and girly essential, a dressing table.  Love them or hate them, they certainly light up my life. I have had one since I was about 12 which had lots of different drawers and compartments. I adored it.  So now is the time to invest in a new one and I am having trouble deciding. I have been pinning like mad for inspiration. Feel free to join my journey of dressing table discovery and delight on my pinterest board here. I also have one on makeup storage here.

So I thought I would share with you some of my favourites I have found thus far. There are a few ways to go as far as I can see, traditional, more modern and something inbetween. Which do you prefer?

Modern dressing table ideas
 I love the idea of a fairly modern dressing table with touches and decorations which are more traditional. You can do this the other way around which also looks fab!

Modern dressing table with traditional decoration


traditional dressing table with modern lamp and stool

Adding a 'theatrical' illuminated mirror would be amazing. They remind me of Marilyn Monroe and old hollywood Glamour!



Let me know what you think beauties!


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Monday 22 July 2013

The impatient girls nail painting guide




I have to say that I am very impatient when painting my nails. I just can not wait for the 1st coat to dry before doing a second coat and 9 times out of 10 I end up with a smudge-orific mess, which really gets my goat. Soooo with the thought that maybe, just maybe, I am not the only impatient Annie out there,  I have done this guide to nail painting with a few tips to help any patience-less nail painters like me!!


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Sunday 21 July 2013

What I Wore | My Chanel Shopper Tote


Hi guys and gals

I am excited to bring you my very first What I wore video. I really enjoyed making it so let me know if you like it and maybe I can make some more.






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Thursday 18 July 2013

Urban Decay Blogger Event!!!!

Well hi there peeps

I was kindly invited to the Urban Decay blogger event at Debenhams in Aberdeen and what a delightful time it was.  First of all we got a makeup demonstration using some of the lovely new glittery moondust eyeshadows.

Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadows
Then it was time to peruse the products till our hearts content. We even got a sneak peek of the Ultra definition pressed finishing powder which isn't even out yet!!


I have to say that there are some seriously fabulous products from Urban Decay which I really would like. Including the naked skin beauty balm, concealer pencil and 24/7 glide on pencil in LSD. 


The fact that Urban Decay is cruelty free and not tested on animals is definitely a bonus for me. Keep your eyes peeled for that new finishing powder. Looks like it could be a winner!!!

What I wore and the beautiful Laura from www.liparazziblog.com


What are you favourite Urban Decay products? Can you recommend me anything?



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Monday 15 July 2013

How much is your Holiday Toiletries Bag Worth?


Hi-diddley-ho-there!

(Can I just say before I start this post. I am not nude in the picture above. Upon looking at it again after posting I look like a bloody nudist hippy! I can assure you that I am wearing a bikini top behind this large toiletries bag. Sort it out Ash, sheesh! Now on with the post)

This is an interesting one peoples. I love to take lots of toiletries on holiday because it is nice to have the comforts of home. Comforts meaning beautifying products. And I have many.

Yes it is heavy but I don't care... I NEED each and everyone of these products! So here we go...


Nature's Response Organic Foot Spray | £5.95
Eucerin Aquaphor Ointment | £8.50
Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist | £17
Aveda Shampure | £13
Aveda dry Remedy Conditioner | £22.50
Superdrug Vitamin E Hot Cloth Cleanser | £4.99
Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Body Creme 85g | £12.32
Utan Deluxe Gradual Tan Miami Beach | £6
Dove Beauty Finish Anti-Perspirant | £2.49
Ren BB Cream 15ml* | £7.80
Ren Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask 15ml* | £9
Ren Hydra Calm Day Cream | £27
Macleans Whitening Toothpaste | £1
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream | £31
La Roche Posay Effeclar Duo | £13
Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Perfume | £12.45
Vaseline Rosy Lips | £1.99
Wilkinson Sword Extra 2 Beauty Razors | £2.50
Oral B Professional Care 1000 | £35.99 

Total £234.48

Wow that total is quite staggering. Perhaps we should be getting our toiletry bags insured when we go on holiday as well as our luggage! 

What do you think? Is this excessive or not enough products?
I would love to hear what you think comment below!


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Thursday 11 July 2013

Bloggers Contacting PR companies & Brands... what you need to know!


Hi-diddley-ho-there!

Today's post is a little on the serious side.. uh-oh! Well I will try to be as profesh as possible.  After a twitter chat I realised how many bloggers have uncertainties about approaching PR companies and brands. A few of the questions I have seen are:

Can I contact PR companies myself?
What do I say?
Can I approach brands?
Is it rude to ask for samples?
What if they ignore me?
Will they think I am cheeky if I contact them?
Do I just wait to PR companies to approach me?

These are all very good questions. In this post I will endeavour to answer some of them for you. That is not to say that this is the way everyone handles their communications and blog it is just the way I do.

The first thing you need to do is to work hard on your blog. Please don't expect to be given samples, event invites and meetings if your blog doesn't have at least some followers and interactions. If it looks like a jumbled mess, it is unlikely pr companies will not contact you. Think of it the other way around, if you were a brand would you want to be associated with your blog? Great blogs come in all different shapes and sizes, colours and fonts but one thing they all have in common is that they are clear and can be easily read.

Ok so your blog is down, you have some interactions and followers... what next? Decide which brands you like and want to be associated with. What products would your readers like to find out about? There is not much point in a vegetarian food blog reviewing Scotch Beef, sarcastic yes but you get my drift! So have a good think about what you want people to come to your blog to read about.

Once you have decided on the brand or brands you would like on your blog you have a few options. Buy some of their products or if you already have them, like I did with Utan reviewing it here, here and here, then great!  Once you have your review, try tweeting the brand or incorporate their handle in to a tweet about your post.




They may or may not respond. In this case they didn't. Sometimes they will favourite your tweet or event retweet it. This should help to make the brand aware of your presence. Doing this alone can lead to being contacting to review products or even being invited to events. This is not a given though as many other bloggers are doing the same thing.

Another option you have is to contact the brand, pr or product company directly. I don't see any harm in doing this so long as you are respectful and professional. I have done this a handful or times. Mainly the brands/PR companies I contacted were open and friendly. Some even sent me products and invited me to events. I think you will have more success if you select who you contact carefully. Again, make sure that they fit well with the audience and readership of your blog.

And not all brands are big on social media. A couple of fantastic products which I absolutely love have never replied to any of my tweets or emails. I do find this frustrating. Not because I expect a response but because I know how much pr and advertising they are missing out on by not taking advantage of rave reviews by their loyal customers. 

So don't let it put you off if you don't get a response or if they turn down your request.  I would wait for a couple of months, let your readership improve and try contacting them again. Or try another brand, there are plenty out there!

It is fairly easy to find the contact details for a brand on their website, which a quick google search should produce. Many brands have their PR companies listed directly on their website or twitter profiles. If they don't list a pr contact, you can guess that they probably don't use one and try emailing them directly.

Now lets discuss the email to send. I like to keep it short, friendly and professional. Make sure you include plenty of information about you and your blog. Here is an exert from an email I sent which got a positive response



So on to a few of these questions which I haven't covered already...

Is it rude to ask for samples?
You know I really don't think it is rude to ask for samples, so long as you actually want them to review on your blog and not just because you want to put them in your friends charity lucky dip. If you are still wary of writing to a company for a sample, remember that plenty of beauty brands have samples in their shops or counters so it is worth asking there.

Will they think I am cheeky if I contact them?
Probably not but who knows until you try. I really don't think so. Remember that if you write about a product you are giving that brand advertising!

Do I just wait for PR companies to approach me?
You can do. Maybe you will get an email from them within a month of starting your blog or within a year or maybe never. It really is up to you. It is the PR companies job to put products in the right places for exposure, if you think your blog is the right place then why not let them know?

So that is it folks. Get out there and do some contacting!!!



Please ask any other questions in the comment section below I will be happy to answer them for you!

I would love to hear how you get on contacting PR's or brands




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