Miracle of the Chanel Pressed Powder

I went away for a mini break a few months and when I got to duty free, I realised that I had left my Laura Mercier translucent pressed powder behind at home. I coincidenlty (!) happened to be sitting by the make up and perfume section and thought I'd look to see if there is a coloured pressed powder that I could pick up. I settled for the CHANEL POUDRE UNIVERSELLE COMPACTE and I am so glad I did. This has to be one of my most favourite make up items ever. 

I have this in 'Translucent Shade 3'

I apply it at home with my MAC 150 brush, and press with the sponge applicator when I'm out and about (I pop over to a Chanel counter every now and then to pick up sample replacements of the applicator). 


It gives a light coverage, and I love how it helps provide a natural, even toned and more smoother complexion. 


I can be heavy handed with it as I don't feel that it looks cakey at all. A definite Love.


To carry on with the powder theme, another great find - and happened to be freeish, is the Clinique Blended Powder 

It came as part of one of those Bonus TIme products - where you buy two products and get a bunch of stuff free. It is loose translucent powder which is so finely milled its almost like air. I buff away with this, and it smooths any lines, helps keep make up set and just evens out the face. It also gives a healthy glow which is a huge bonus. I have a friend who has some scars left from childhood acne - she will just have this over some concealor during work days and and her skin looks all lovely and smooth!

Most disappointing makeup product ever...

... actually, this is the most disappointing make up product I have experienced in a very very long time. It is the Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain and Balm.

I am a big fan of lip and cheek stains and like trying out new ones. Although I was under no illusion that I would end up looking like Jessica Biel if I wore it - she looks sickeningly gorgeous in this Revlon ad:

I was however hoping that the pigment would be strong and bold, and was pretty excited about the balm part.

So here is mine;

I got this in the colour 'Flame'

First of all, the plastic packaging was a nightmare to take off. I understood that it had to be extremely airtight as to not dry out the pen part. So I was okay with that. But then I opened it. The balm fell off with the lid.

I put the balm back on but it keeps falling off every time I try and apply it directly from the stick

Basically, the balm does not twist down - so you have to be really careful when taking the lid open or the balm just breaks off. Silly packaging, but I thought of well, I should have been more diligent. What disappointed me completely was the colour pay-off. The first application was fine. But then it completely dried up. The swatch below is after keeping it standing for a week.

I only got one proper use out of it and I ended up throwing out today.

What a waste of £6.

Shopping!

What a completely unoriginal title for this post...

I got back from California last week and my suitcase is still at the foot of my bed, waiting to be unpacked. I finally decided to do it today, but after just taking my shoes out, I've already had enough. I hate the packing, travelling and unpacking that comes with holidays. I am really tempted to leave a lot of the stuff in there ready for my next holiday which is in over a month's time. But that would be just TOO LAZY - even for me. Anyway, I thought I would take a break from the - ahem - the unpacking, and write up a quick post on a few things I picked up recently.

Jaeger black mini shorts

The sale in Jaeger in ridiculously amazing. You can pick up a real bargain from it. I picked up these shorts for £20 which were originally £100!

They were exactly what I was looking for and sit pretty well around my rotund hips. They are very short - even with black opaque tights - so they will only come out for very special occasions and with a casual top to dress it down.

Primark lace cardigan (£8)

This didn't look very nice on the hanger but I fell in love with the peachy colour and thought it would help dress up a casual outfit. I wore it to the Breakfast Club  last week over a pair of black skinny jeans and a white vest top. Blurry picture below.

Fossil Vintage Handbag

Got this little treat during my trip to California. It was about $230 but was on sale for half the price. I love the colour, I love the size but hate the fact that I accidently left a half eaten sharwama in there when I look it out last week :(

On a side note, my trip away last week was exactly what I wanted. My friends (who moved there years ago) and their friends (who I had never met before), were beyond hospitable. They are coming to visit the UK in summer and I have no idea how I will repay them back. This trip restored my faith in humankind, and I am truly glad that I have some really wonderful people in my life. I bought back loads of Almond M&Ms and Bath and Beauty products which are still in my suitcase. Once I manage to unpack, shall post the products here.

xx

Things I'm loving at the moment

No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser

I have been coming home quite late a lot recently and this is what I keep reaching for on those evenings. It takes off everything, really quickly and causes no irritation to my skin whatsoever. I really love the fact that you can see how much product you have left (unlike the Liz Earle cleanser tube - only downside I hasten to add). Its about £9 from Boots.

Aloe vera gel 
Especially for 'the time of the month'. I slather it on my breakouts at night and seems to calm them down by the morning.

I get mine from Holland & Barratt

Batiste Nude Dry Shampoo

I love how I can volumise my hair with this when applied to the roots. I end up with  a messy, wavy head. Great stuff. You can get this from a whole bunch of places.

Green tea

I thought all green tea tasted the same. But I was wrong. I am trying to cut down on coffee because of my inability to sleep for more that four hours in a row. I have taken to drinking more water, and try and drink at least two cups of green tea a day at work. I bought these from a stall at a Japanese festival I went to recently. Green tea is the only ingredient in it, and it is delicious.

Bloomin' October Heatwave

So this crazy heat wave during October in London has come and gone with a blink of an eye. Fingers crossed we get another one before the year is out (I am trying to ignore the global warning issues for this moment). All the John Kettley and Michael Fish successors are hinting at it.

The heat and lashings of sun had actually caused my orchard plant to flower - first time in two and a half years. How gorgeous are they?

This weather has also made me discover Pink Lemonade from Marks & Spencers. I am addicted to the stuff and it looks very pretty too.

There is something about the sun that makes people happier and fluffier and nicer. For me, summer of 2011 was that heatwave in October.

Two

Xx

Lazy weekend

The weekend has been hot, hot, HOT. In fact the whole week has been scorching although I missed most of it as I have been stuck in the freezing air conditioned office.

I went up to Hampstead Heath with some friends for a picnic and sun-lazing. It was not as heaving as I expected it to be which was great. Hampstead Heath is gorgeous. A friend of mine got chatted up by some random stranger who was walking around with a massive tear on the side of his sorts. So huge that you could see his underwear. It was hilarious watching.

After an outdoor lunch, we made our way to Shoreditch and hung around for a bit until we ended up at this place where the band below were playing.

I've got to say,  Black Manila Flamingo Drive nearly burst my ear drums. I am sorry to say they were sooo bad live. But sifting through the bad guitars and keyboard, the guy has a pretty good voice and the music did sound a bit Jam-esque. Maybe it was the sound system that made my ears bleed, but I think I will google search them to see what they are really meant to sound like.

Sunday, lazed around with the little nieces in the garden eating ice cream and watching them ruin my make up brushes and eye shadows because they were giving each other makeovers. I didn't even have the energy to scream at them so they carried on and demolished a whole eyeshadow palette with their fingers. The six year old nephew later ran into the garden and jumped on top of me whilst I was snoozing to show me his latest Dr Who purchase and searching for my iPhone to play City Farm (I only found out recently that the cheeky little monkey made a separate folder on my phone for his games). Again, I did not have the energy to get him off me so I just lay there for half hour whilst he rambled on about sonic screwdrivers. In the evening I managed to get ready and head over to my friends for a Shisha, indian tea and movies.

It was a pleasant weekend, but I did feel a bit weird at times. Could not put my finger on it. I think it must be me trying to settle down being single again. Or maybe I'm worrying myself how quickly I think I am getting over it. I have made sure I have kept myself busy since it all happened, once I slow down then I can have a think of what the heck the next chapter of my life needs to be. Because this new freakin' chapter has been a long time coming.

Anyway, hope you are enjoying the heatwave in the UK, as we have been told to bring out the wooly scarves and thick coats for the end of the week!

Lots of love

x