Tuesday 31 March 2009

Dr Hauschka's Rose Day Cream

My skin has taken a real battering this week all thanks to Benefit products. It seems they totally dehydrate my skin and has left me looking like GoldMember with the flaky skin from Austin Powers!! ... nice.

To rectify this I have had to use my husbands eczema cream ... but usually the best thing for my dry skin is Dr Hauschka Rose Day Cream. I absolutely love it. Unfortunately for me, I have none left!
I love using this cream as I makes my skin feel so soft and smooth and it smells gorgeous. I usually use this cream at night when going to be bed but also have been known to wear it under my make up. You are not actually supposed to wear it at night, Dr Hauschka advises that you let your natural skin oils do their work overnight but I have got myself into a habit that is just too hard to change. Their website even suggests you mix with bronzer to wear as a tinted moisturiser .. i don't think i will try this but I am sure it would work just fine.

My husband is away on business just now so hoping if I drop enough hints he will bring a tube of this back for me. Here is what my current tube looks like

Sorry for the quick post I am really not in such a good mood this evening which is very unlike me. Had a bit of a tearful session earlier so hopefully it's all out of my system now!
Still have some haul posts to do later this week so hopefully that will be more interesting
xx

Sunday 29 March 2009

UDPP Shocker!

I know you guys have all seen this before and although I have seen this on many blogs/YT vids, I was still in awe when i did it myself.

I cut open my UDPP.

I knew there would be a lot left but I definitely was not prepared for quite how much was left. This packaging really is an absolute rip off!! It does mean, however, that I have so much more product to play about with, and the best bit is that it has a lovely new home .... a cute li'l hello kitty jar.Hope you have all had fun filled weekends! I have partied and hauled to my life's content ... will maybe get some posts up showin you some of my purchases.

x

Friday 27 March 2009

Friday bargains!

Every Friday I finish up early and usually head into town to do a bit of shopping. Today, I decided it would be best to go straight home as I am desperately trying to save money and will also be in London next week so spend, spend, spend. However, having to buy a birthday card for a friend, led me past Superdrug, Sally's and The Body Shop!

First, I headed to Sally's. I really would like to meet 'For Audrey' by China Glaze in person but unfortunately they didn't have it in stock. I managed to resist everything else in Sally's but narrowly missed purchasing a large, thick barrelled curling tong (i've wanted this for ages) ... i managed to convince myself it could wait until I had tried my new slim barrelled curling tong! Really, how many hair curling instruments does girl need?? ....... Frankly, I don't care, I want I want I want! Anyway, shop number 1 - result!! No purchases.

Then onto Superdrug. The other day I picked up a few bits and pieces from Rimmel as they are on a 3 for 2 offer. I NEVER buy Rimmel products. The only Rimmel product I think i've purchased is their blemish stick, which in all honesty i loved. So today, I thought I would take a look at the offer again, with the intention of NOT buying. Now, I have to admit the first item I reached for, is something that I bought my friend a few weeks ago for her birthday. She swears by Rimmel mascara so I bought her the new sexy curves. I never thought to purchase for myself until I watched Pixiwoo use it. I'm so pathetic that I had to wait for Pixiwoo to recommend something before I was convinced. Shame on me. So anyway, that was the first purchase along with a nail polish and 'Foxy' lipstick. Shop number 2 - FAIL. 3 purchases.

I will be trying out this mascara tonight. I bought it in 'Intense Black' as I have very fair lashes so i like them to look as thick and dark as possible. It has an unusual shaped wand .. kind of inny outy (thats a technical term you may not recognise). My current mascara of favour is Chanel, alternating with Diorshow or Lancome hypnose so I will keep you posted on results.So after Superdrug, I headed to The Body Shop. A few of us will be attending the beauty bloggers event with Body Shop next week so I thought I would pop in and have a look. I love their Vitamin E cream and used to use it religiously so this was the first display at looked at. I spotted a gradual tanner. It was called 'Cocoa Butter Everyday Summer Body Lotion'. Now I am very big on my fake tan and also have a lot of gradual tanners which i rarely use. However, the other day I purchased Palmers cocoa butter gradual tanner so I thought it may be good to compare both these products. I will start using over the weekend and will update on the progress. They both simply smell of cocoa butter with no colour guide as you would expect from a gradual tanner anyway. So far it is difficult to detect any undertone of the tanning system odour, although I am sure this must come out eventually once on the skin. There was a 2 for £14 offer so I also picked up the 'Vitamin E Everyday Summer Face Lotion'. This will be great as I can tan and moisturise with the fabulous Vitamin E at the same time. Shop number 3 - FAIL. 2 purchases.You will be pleased to know after my vow of 'no purchasing' failed, I did still remember to buy the birthday card that I initially visited the shops for!

If anyone has used these products already it would be great to hear from you.

Also if anyone else will be attending the Body Shop event next week, get in touch .. I will be at the afternoon session, it would be great to meet everyone!

Anyway, I probably won't be on too much over the weekend, have lots of plans including a birthday party, shopping, visiting family and having a good old spring clean of my flat!

Have a great weekend Everyone!! x

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Korres Blush

I have been using Korres skincare for a while now, I especially love the shower gels and eye brightening cream. My husband also loves it as he suffers from eczema and Korres is one of very few brands he can get away with using without skin irritation.

Korres is a Greek Company and apparantly evolved from Athens' first Homeopathic Pharmacy. They create safe products from skincare to haircare to cosmetics. It is still a fairly new brand and many of my friends still don't know what I am talking about when i mention it ... even though we now have a store down the road.

I had always known about the cosmetic line and as a regular customer I have been offered countless make up trials but I have always refused, assuming the pigmentation would be rubbish or the colour selection boring. Well, Saturday I decided to take a closer look.

In fairness, there is not an amazing colour selection but of what litle there is, the colours are lovely and fresh and very very wearable. I decided to purchase an eyeshadow and a blush. The eyeshadow was in Golden Bronze. I'm afraid I don't have a photo or swatch of this but will get one up shortly if you are interested. I tried this last night and the pigmentation was great. I do think it needs some blending and that was only with a colour wash. I think it cost £11 and to be honest, I did think this was a little steep. The packaging isn't the best and this might sound silly but I would expect in a mirror inside for that price (a la nars shadows) but alas no mirror. It's also very small. I will try this out in full over the weekend though. I'm thinking of a golden bronzed smoky eye look.

The best buy however was the blush I purchased. I chose this blush because it looked like a lovely shade of coral with gold fleck in the shop. I got it home it turns out it is actually called 'Orange' and the more I look it at, the more orange it gets haha. The word orange may have you running for the hills and I almost did, however, after trying it I changed my mind.

The formulation is velvety and is supposed to give a natural, yet luminous wash to the cheeks. The texture is definitely velvety and although I wouldn't say the result was natural, it was still very pretty. You hardly need to load your brush, in fact I would recommend a very light hand with this product as the colour is so pigmented. Once on, it is easy to blend. I must say though, I wore this to work and it may have too much of a shimmer for daytime use. I think it would be perfect for tanned skin and summer nights to go with a boho chic or bronzed goddess look.

The best thing about this blush is the longevity. It lasted the whole day. A typical day for me starts at around 6am by the time the slap is on and I usually don't remove until about 9.30 or 10pm. This blush lasted the whole way through without touch up. At the end of the day it literally looked as if it had just been applied. Amazing.

It was £15 and again I do think this is expensive for this kind of blush but I guess when the colour pigmentation and lastability teamed with great science works so well, then maybe its a £15 well spent.

So, what do you think? Who else has tried Korres cosmetics?

Tuesday 24 March 2009

Illamasqua wishlist!!

I've been hearing a lot of hype about a brand called Illamasqua. I have heard it is exclusive to Selfridges, which I am nowhere near, so for this reason I have tried to ignore the hype as it is pointless trying to order colours online without seeing them in the flesh.
However, my curiousity has got the better of me - I viewed online! eeek!

One collection was described as inspired by 1920s Berlin, from that moment on, I was totally sucked in .. I love that era and have a love affair with Berlin full stop so I just had to have a look to see what Illamasqua had to offer.
I have just spent the first hour in work browsing the wonderful, vibrant colours and products on offer. I have a wishlist the size of my arm!! Honestly, I cannot get enough of the colours and I love the heritage behind the brand;-

'Illamasqua is the product of a heady mix of influences. Its roots stem from the dark and illicit 1920s club scene and combines a rich heritage in the manufacture of make-up for film and theatre. It also takes inspiration from members of the ‘alternative scenes’ for whom self-expression is paramount. Alternative cultures have always dared to be dramatic. They have an emotional attachment to making up. It’s an expression of their darker side, a release for their alter ego.

Illamasqua is for the bolder person hiding inside all of us. It is an act and an attitude. A symbol of tolerance. A celebration of idiosyncracies. A confident statement of self-ownership.
'

Also as already mentioned on Lazula80 blog (who seems to be a big fan - great sign!), they have created products in aid of the Sophie Lancaster foundation (Stamp out Prejudice and Intolerance Everywhere). A proportion of the sale of these products go to this foundation. I remember hearing the tragic story of Sophie Lancaster on the news and was deeply saddened by the cruelty of a group of human beings on another innocent person. Just sickens me to the core.

So, without further ado, here is my wishlist ... so far. I am sure there will be more to add.
LIPSTICK
Encounter
Ignite
Maneater
As far as I can see online these colours are all orangey reds ... Love! Also love Agony, Abandon and Welt
INTENSE LIPGLOSS
Petulant
Indulge
Perform
Mistress
Drag
SHEER LIPGLOSS
Electrify
FACE
Light Liquid Foundation (for Summer use)
Rich Liquid Foundation (for more coverage)
BLUSH
Tweak
Thrust
Hussy
Onscreen, tweak and thrust both reminded me a little of MAC HK in Tippy
EYESHADOW
Fiasco
Imagine
Savage
NAILS
Alarm
SOPHIE Pencil (especially after Lazula80 review, sounds lush and with better control that UD 24/7)
ALL the false lashes - AMAZING!

I want I want I want! Question is girls, do I order some things online or do I wait until I can view in real life... which could be months, if not, next year?!
Maybe I should wait for some of you girls to purchase and review? Oh i dunno, I just want to try it now!!

Keep in mind, I also have a wishlist for Mac sugarsweet, bobbi brown, Chanel and Estee Lauder but right now I am mesmerised by Illamasqua!

Sunday 22 March 2009

House of Fraser - Horrendous Staff/Customer Service!

Warning: this is a minor rant.

A little while ago my husband bought me a Nars candle. I love Nars candles. Where we live there is only one place we can buy Nars candles and that is House of Fraser. He asked for Nars Oban and off he toddled home to give me my gift, however, inside the box was Nars Jaipur. The sales assistant had given him the wrong candle. Not a problem we thought, just take it back and exchange. So, a few weeks later I head into town with candle and ask for an exchange. I had forgotten the receipt but didn't think this would be a problem. They refused to exchange. I spoke to a Manager who still refused to exchange as I had no receipt. I told her it was their mistake but still she refused to do anything without a receipt, claiming that I could have bought the candle from Space NK which also stocks Nars. She failed to take onboard that Space NK only stock Nars cosmetics and NOT candles. I got to the point I was so frustrated that I stormed out of the shop ... i know, not the most mature way to deal with it but i was on the verge of exploding.

Fast forward a few weeks later and I go back in with the receipt and toddle down to the Nars counter... only to find an empty space! I thought they must have moved it to another area so I asked a girl nearby where it was. At this point I was informed Nars no longer trades within House of Fraser. (I later learned this was a fact the Manager I had dealt with previously knew about when I tried to exchange the first time). I explained to the girl my situation and she agreed that I should have been given the exchange in the first place, I asked to speak to a Manager to make sure my money was refunded. No Manager was available so a Supervisor of sorts came to deal with us.

Ok, this is where it gets infuriating ... I explained the situation to the Supervisor. 1st example of bad customer service - she told me Nars was no longer part of House of Fraser so could not help me. Told me to contact Nars!!! Obviously I point blank refused to do this and told her that it was House of Fraser responsibility to ensure that I was rightfully refunded.
2nd example of bad customer service - she then told me to take the candle over to Space NK and pretend I had bought it from there and have them exchange it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was this woman out of her mind? I just looked at her in sheer disbelief and advised if House of Fraser would not exchange without a receipt why on earth did she think Space NK would? Again, she persisted and tried to convince me to go to Space NK, this is when I had to explain that Space NK do not stock the candles therefore I would have looked a complete lying fool trying to exchange at their store. So then she walked away in a huff, rolling her eyes and said she would call for a Manager again.
She came back and said that the Manager told her she could take the candle back in exchange for gift vouchers. I informed the Supervisor that this was no good as we had specifically wanted the Nars Oban candle and if they no longer stock it then a gift voucher would be no good. I advised it had been their mistakes that got us to this point so they would have to rectify with a full refund.
3rd example of bad customer service - At this point she said but with a gift voucher you can buy any candle you want from House of Fraser?!! I swear she must have been on acid ... This is when i looked her in the eye and said 'I want a Nars candle!!', she then turned her back on me and said 'OH DEAR' in the sarciest, rudest manner. I had caused this woman no grief other than informing her of my situation and asking for what i was rightfully due. She then called her Manager
4th example of bad customer service - She came back and said her Manager had authorised a full refund as she couldn't be bothered and didn't have the time to deal with this kind of hassle. I smiled sweetly and replied 'Thank You'!

What a complete idiot of a woman. She was so rude, I wonder how she would deal with an awkward customer as we were more than pleasant to her. Even the girl who I initially spoke was rolling her eyes in disgust at the comments this woman was making.

Absolutely shocking.

Rant over.

My everyday make up look

I'm very hungover today. A result of the 80s party I was at last night. The Jem outfit was ok but I was minus a wig and guitar which kinda ruined it ... my make up looked good though he he! If I can find any decent photos I will post later.

On a day to day basis, I don't have a lot of time to beautify myself before work ... it does not help that I start work at a rather ungodly hour meaning my alarm is set for 5.30am!! I still want to look glam and polished but I don't have much time to pick out different shadows etc, so I go for my fail safe winged liner look. Today, I have gone for this look as I was just too ill to do anything else with myself. This full look only takes me 15 or 20 minutes to do so it's great for an early morning routine.This is what I used:
FACE:
Chanel Pro Lumiere
Benefit Boing concealer (love this)
Nars Laguna to contour
MSF Redhead to highlight (This has got to be my fave product ever)
Benefit Dandelion
EYES:
Mac Paint in untitled
Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack
Dior Show Mascara
Mac Mystery to define eyebrows
LIPS:
Gosh Cool Lip Jam in 104
No17 Lip liner (think it's called Nude or Natural or Buff??)

I have been having big problems with my skin just now... mainly spots .. something I have never had to worry about even as a teenager. I'm really not sure what to do so answers on a postcard would be gratefully received!
x

Sunday 15 March 2009

Self Tanning - Sunbrushed

I am a self confessed self tan junkie! I have really pale skin and freckles and I cannot stand for people to see me without tan. Sometimes I am happy to go pale but only pale with an element of tan. It's not that I don't like my freckles but the contrast against my pale (blue tinged) skin is just too much!

I have tried nearly every tan under the sun and now I can pretty much tell by looking at or smelling a tan whether or not it will work for me.
St Tropez is awful on my skin, gives practically no colour but it is fine when teamed with a moisturiser.
L'oreal tans just streak all over my skin.
Clarins worked ok but sometimes too orangey.
Tan Truth good but dries out the skin.
Any form of tan towel = horrendous streaks and dryness.
So far, Fake Bake has always been my saviour. I use the lotion, the mousse and in the Summer I usually go for regular spray tans.
However, about 2-3 years ago, i discovered SUNBRUSHED.

Sunbrushed is an American product and as far as i know it is not sold here in the UK unless your particular area has a sales rep and therefore may distribute to salons in the area. I was lucky enough a friend of mine became a rep and ever since I have purchased this tan. I buy the tanning kit which comes with the tub of tan, gloves, micro-fibre cloth, exfoliator, tan extender and a hair bauble. The kit is supposed to supply enough for 6 full-body tans but i find i can get a lot more out of it.

Friday night, I applied this in time for the weekend so thought I would take some pics to give you an idea of what it all looks like and how it works. Basically the contents of the tub is what would appear to be dye. Its a dark brown liquid. There is a smell from it in the tub but it's like marzipan. The smell of tan can really put people off but this is the nicest smelling tan I have used.

The best thing to do is pour some of the liquid into a tupperware container, as big as you can find. I used a tiny one which is not practical at all! Then you dip your microfibre cloth into it (with gloves on, of course) and keep dipping in the dye and wringing it out until it is covered in dye but not sapping wet, just moist.
Looks disgusting doesn't it? Its really not that bad though!

Next step, is to start 'washing' it over your body. It will go on with a slight tint so you can see if you miss any areas. I usually start at my feet and work my way up. When it comes to my hands, i take one glove off and wash over that hand then put the glove back on and repeat with the other hand. My hands always look fine by doing this. You can leave the product on for 4-6 hours but I usually sleep in it.

Next day, you will have a streak free, smooth, sunkissed tan. It is impossible to streak it unless you miss huge chunks of your body. You can also achieve a darker tan by not wringing out the cloth as much but again never use it when it is sodden wet.

I did try and take before and after photos but the lighting in my flat is so bad the camera wasn't picking up the colour well so it would be pointless to show you. However, I did have a glowing bronzed tan in time for Saturday night!

I love this fake tan because it is super quick to use. I can do my whole body in 5 minutes flat. Another great thing is it dries instantly, so no hanging around the bathroom naked waiting to dry before you can dress again. I even take it on holiday and have been known to apply it and go out for dinner after!! It gives a lovely natural colour that can last up to a week or more. It probably looks pretty disgusting from the photos but it is so quick and easy and relatively mess free.

Has anyone else tried this self tan? What are your favourites?

MY BLOG ROCKS, BUT YOUR BLOG ROCKS HARDER


I was tagged by Gabriela - thank you so much!! Here are my fave blogs:

1) Angels With Dirty Faces - Gabriela of course, I especially love seeing photos of her gorgeous little girl Violeta.
http://gabriela-lifeinengland.blogspot.com/

2) Dressjunkie - always has interesting, informative and witty posts
http://dressjunkie.com/

3) Hele Says - beautiful girl, love her make up recommendations and hauls
http://helesays.blogspot.com/

4) La Boudoir - love this blog full of fashion eye candy
http://laboudoirblog.blogspot.com/

5) Pixiwoo - Pixiwoo has an amazing blog as well as their legendary YT vids. Love, love, love these girls ... so unbelievably gorgeous too!!
http://pixiwoo.blogspot.com/

Rules:
1. When you receive this award, show that you're happy to the giver!
2. Nominate at least 5 blogs, that you think rocks!
3. Let them know about award in their post.
4. Now blog like you've never blogged before! =]]

Monday 9 March 2009

I got love for you ... if you were born in the 80s ...

Oh Yeah!! Next week, I am off to an 80s party .. i like to be original with my fancy dress outfits (did i mention i love fancy dress??) so have been trying to think of something that would make a statement at the party. I already have my other half sorted ... although i don't think he realises this yet!

Usually I am quite creative with these things and quite like customising normal clothes and turning them into showstopping costumes however when it comes to the 80s i feel a bit stuck. I have an outfit in my head for every other era except the 80s. I guess it should be really easy but i really don't want to end up in the same outfit as anyone else. I would also like something with crazy make up. I was hoping you guys could help me come up with something or help me with some ideas I have had already ..

Firstly, here is what I want my man to wear .. I would also go for the wonder woman costume but i think thats more 70s ... I wonder if anyone would notice??
Then there is My Little Pony which I was such a big fan of as a child .. I have still kept my first every pony - her name was gypsy and we shared the same colour of hair and a love of bling lol!
Anyway these girls gave me some food for thought when i seen their creative costumes
And what could be the ultimate in the perfect 80s outfit with the perfect make up to go is ............... JEM... and the Holograms!!! Woooooo!
Other ideas are Bucks fizz (we are going with another couple so would work and would mean the boys wouldn't have to dress in drag as the holograms), Wham!, Cindy Lauper, Madonna ..... or do i just go all out 80s make up and big frizzy hair and a ra ra skirt?

Let me know your ideas, what would you wear to an 80s party?
x

Monday 2 March 2009

10 Fun Facts about Moi!

So I thought since I braved my face to you all and have officially given myself a form of identity on my blog, then it would be best if i told you all a bit about myself. I have kept it to 10 facts, i probably could have gone on longer but didn't want you all falling asleep mid-read!!

So here are my top 10 facts about me:


1) My name is not really Saskia, its just one of many nicknames. Another popular one is Kitty (which sounds more like my real name) ... i won't divulge the rest!!

2) I have a Media degree specialising in Advertising & Public Relations, however, I do not work in this field (unfortunately)

3) A few years ago I was offered a place at the London College of Fashion to study Fashion Journalism. At last minute, i turned it down.... at the time, i had my reasons but i often wonder where life would have taken me had I accepted.

4) I lived in America (New Jersey) for a few months and worked as a lifeguard. I even had a red swimsuit ... Pammie Style!! And believe it or not the Baywatch theme tune was our Summer anthem .. knew all the words and was a regular singing it on karaoke .. CRINGE!!

5) I speak a l'il bit of French, German and Spanish but still probably couldn't hold a conversation in any (unless I was drunk)

6) When I was young I wanted to be a Fashion Designer, a writer, an Interior Designer, a make up artist, a bridal wear designer and a journalist. I would still like to be all of these!

7) I met my husband on a blind date and it was literally love at first sight (yes i know, cliche) .... 2 years later he proposed in Italy and we got married 10 months ago........ and we lived happily ever after!

8) I am the youngest of 4 but there is a huge age gap between my siblings and I ... to put it bluntly I was an accident!! To give you an idea my nephews and niece are around my age group

9) I hate bad manners and also bad spelling and grammar (although reading back on some of my posts, i don't take much care of my own)

10) I have a really sweet tooth and could eat chocolate and cakes all day every day!

x

Sunday 1 March 2009

*drumroll please* ... my first FOTD!!!

Ta da!! My very first FOTD. This was supposed to happen yesterday but I had a lot of faffle with my camera and finding cables then battery dying so thats why its here today!

So I did this shortly after finishing a tough body attack class and its also 'that time' that happens every month and to be honest my skin is feeling a bit grey and tired looking. Now, my day to day look usually consists of winged eyeliner in some shape or form but today i loosely based this on Penelope and Monica Cruz in their new campaign for Mango. I haven't copied the exact look but instead took inspiration and adapted it for my colouring. I have tried to stick with soft pinks on the eyes though. So here it is, i have shown pics with and without flash:





FACE:
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Chanel Pro Lumiere in Cendre mixed with Revlon Colourstay in Sand Beige
Mac Compressed Powder in NW20
CHEEKS:
Nars Laguna Bronzer to contour (i've hit the pan!!!)
Mac MSF Redhead to highlight
Bobbi Brown apricot blush and the pinky bit of MSF redhead on the apples of my cheeks
EYES:
UDPP
Mac Phloof all over the lid and up to the brow
Mac Sable on the lashline and crease
Mac Mystery very lightly in the outer v and on the upper and lower lashline
Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack
UD 24/7 liner on waterline
YSL Faux Cils mascara
EYEBROWS: A generic light brown eyebrow pencil then Mac mystery to add depth
LIPS: Maybelline or Bourjois (not sure) in Autumn Rose mixed with Gosh Darling, neutral colour to line the lips