The chronicles of "trying to be more woman" - Episode 16 - i don't do fancy dress but i did fancy up my face

Folks it's that Halloween time of year (not actually Halloween yet) which calls for parties, which in turn calls for fancy dress of course. I'm invited to two parties this year (well three but the third is held AFTER Halloween and its my brothers party so I don't count it). My work do and my friend's house party so this episode of trying to be more woman will include two versions of my fancied up face with different products (that's the plan). Lucky you!!!!

First party was the office do. Held immediately after work in our office cafe (basically our office kitchen eating area.) Both nights out my look is goth devil. I chose this look as I need practice with my smoky eye and I already have flashing horns from when I was 13. Job done.

So here is how I looked for the office people....

The following is an end of the night shot so lighting is darker and the makeup has worn off a little in places (eyeliner and eyeshadow mainly).....

What you can't see is what I'm wearing (oooo sounds kinky...SPOILERS it's not)... Well I'm wearing an off shoulder black and white skater dress which is mainly white with black bows from ASOS. The bottoms are half pvc wonders from sofabulous (a brand within littlewoods) which I've teamed with a primark over sized thick knit cardigan. In my usual bargain ways the dress and bottoms were from ebay (LOVE searching new with tags) and the cardi was of course bargain price in primarni! The Bottom especially were a great find as it turns out Littlewoods have a clearance account on Ebay. Check it out along with all these other retailers with clearance accounts:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Littlewoods-Clearance 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/OfficeShoes 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/veryclearance  

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Trespass-Outlet 

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/thesuperdrystore?clk_rvr_id=1349026516353&rmvSB=true

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/boohoo-outlet?clk_rvr_id=1348836892763&rmvSB=true

Onto trying to be more woman... how did i get my face looking this way.... check out the below:

 

I went with a double team red lipstick: The base lipstick is from Bourjois called Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick which goes on as a gloss and mattes out. The lip gloss is from Elle and is an oldie of mine (most labelling has rubbed off over time.) I bring this out every Halloween as it gives a bloody sheen which is perfect for the occasion.

The mascara is an old fave which I've reviewed in a prior blog..here. The Gosh foundation and Primark (foundation stick) highlighter I've also already reviewed....here and here. 

The eyeliner is another Bourjois item but this was entirely new to me. It's unique in its shape and therefore application but I actually found this made it easier to apply. I got this really cheap in my local (Maidstone) TJ Hughes and would really suggest for others to give it a go.

The newest items in my arsenal for this look was the ModelCo contour stick. It looks an odd colour but let me reassure you that this blended beautifully and really finished my look. I got this in my first ever birchbox (which you can see the full review for here) and couldn't have been happier to have discovered it.

Then we have the Mac 8 colour eyeshadow palette. I used only one lighter base colour for this look.

Lastly i used Collection 2000 eyeshadow pencil. This didn't sharpen well and was very crumbly. This could be due to the age but either way this was the first and last time i will be using this.

Second party and second look is similar with a few changes:

For starters this picture is care of a bestie of mine Ruth. Check out her instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/ruthiomac_88/ . Sorry folks but I didn't take a before so as you can see my eyeliner is already bleeding out but this is the best pic i could get. Lighting at my friends was very dark, mainly lit but UV bulbs (as pictured below) hence my fluorescent bra showing through.... my bad.

The bestie loves a sugar skull so her and her hubby went all out on the decorations. Was awesome with dry ice and the works!!!

The make up bag for this night was :

As you can see there are a number of repeats from the day before. I am also missing a key piece from the above which I will still include in the breakdown:

MAC Russian Red Matte lipstick. This isn't pictured but its a great base as it stays on all night. Tried tested and almost all gone.

Too faced better than sex mascara. This was a newbie from my first ever glossybox (review to follow). When i got this mascara my work colleague (check out her blog http://riettezemakeupchapette.blogspot.co.uk/ ) was really excited. For good reason. I find this coats my lashes to thier fullest extent making them look fuller and darker than they have ever been!

Another newbie to the list which differed from the night before was the Fearne Eyeshadow base. No longer available in store but this really helped the eyeshadow stick.

I once again used the MAC eyeshadow palette, but this time i used two other colours. These seemed to work a lot better than the powder pencil combo from the night before.

All the rest was the same.


That's all i have to share for now. Hope you have enjoyed this blog and if you have please read on and check out my other blogs.

Peace out! 🕊☮

The Chronicles of "trying to be more woman" - Episode 14 - Whats new? Whats used?

Quite a bit of newness this week, some empties and also a return to a product which I've already reviewed.

Lets start with goodbyes with some empties:

Tesco - Coconut & Almond Milk Shampoo
A golden oldie for me. I've mentioned before but i have a sensitive scalp and often my scalp has reactions. On top of that with my super fine and soft hair, if a shampoo leaves too much of a residue then often my head is left a greasy mess. At 80p I'll be getting this again and again.


The body shop - Tea Tree Cleansing Toner
 I've reviewed this before but I got this from The Ashford Retail Outlet for a steal. I've been using this after my cleanser and its really helped to clear up my recent break out (sounds very prison break when in reality i mean SPOTS). I will be getting this again to be sure.


Avon - Sweet Vanilla Bubble Bath
Sold out on their site but you can purchase other festive shaped bubble baths so take a look if you want. I wouldn't suggest it as i have mentioned here, and here. To reiterate my prior post this smelled great in the bottle but didn't smell at all outside of the bottle.



Ok enough of the old, in with the new:

Balanceme - Pure Skin Face Wash
This is my favourite newbie of the week. I got this in my Birchbox this month and i am impressed. I'll start with the best part. It rubs on and washes off quickly and leaves my skin feeling great. I must go on again about sensitive skin but its my blog, so deal with it! This does not irritate my skin at all and leaves me feeling glorious. Now the bad bit. Looks and feels like spunk! Sorry to those who ma be insulted by me bringing up bodily fluids but that's the case. The smell is also kind of chemical for a product which claims to be 99% natural? Regards less of smell, look and texture I am loving this product!

Aldi - Mighty Shampoo
Another product which admittedly i have tried before but well worth a revisit. This moisturises better than my tesco usual but without leaving a residue which will grease up my hair. This smells delicious too which is always great for a shampoo. People don't be put off by store brands. Aldi especially are upping their game and playing against the big boys. So far there isn't a product of theirs i haven't been impressed by.

Rituals - Ritual of Sakura
My colleague seemed excited when i got this in my Tilli box however i wasn't that impressed. The smell is quite old fashioned and not a scent i like. The texture is odd. This is a gel which foams... but not that foamy sometimes and sometimes too foamy. There's no balance. I basically used the whole canister in two washes which is ridiculous.

No.4 - Lumiere D'hiver Super Comb Prep & Protect
What this incredibly long name is meant to tell us is spray which makes it easy to comb (or brush) and protects from heat (should you choose to dry your hair). I air dry my hair so protect i do not need. With my thin, fine hair it does get tangled and does need help. This spray does work to help with my issue HOWEVER it does no more than my Aldi brand. Aldi version is much cheaper so i really wouldn't buy this again nor would i recommend this.






Lastly my other half has asked me to revisit my review on a new product he tried out last week (and is still using). I shall call this sections "He has an opinion on everything":

 The other half wanted to again reiterate that he liked the scent ALOT however he has found a design floor in this bottle. He claims that its incredibly hard to get the wash out the bottle which is frustrating for him as he really does like this product. Pity its so expensive.....



That's all folks. No more new, old, empties or revisits.


Hope you have enjoyed this article and if you have suggestions please do let me know.


Peace out ☮🕊

The chronicles of "trying to be more woman" - Episode 10 - Birchbox supports breast cancer

This month I decided to get my first Birchbox beauty box. Why this month? Well I've been keeping an eye on the products within the monthly box and this month I felt that I wanted everything that was a possible option. This is something I really liked about Birchbox, not only can you see the possible options available in the box for that month but also you get to choose between two of the items every time. This months choices were between ModelCo contour stick or Megalash mascara. I actually chose the option "surprise me" as, as i have already noted I would be happy with any of the this months options.


So next questions. What were the options and what did i get? Here..... have another picture:

I am yet to try these but i can tell you i am very excited about a couple of these items and cannot wait to try them.

Firstly the Spectrum Marble cosmetic brush. I haven't had much experience with brushes in general being that I am still a super amateur. Regardless i am really excited to give this a go.

Likewise i cannot wait to try the contour perfecting sponge from Ecotools. I'm really experimenting with contouring at the moment. I've been applying bronzer and highlighter really subtly and cautiously as i have been so unsure. With the blending sponge I'm going to search for some videos and try and up my contour game. I will post the results!

Leading from the contour sponge I am really desperate to try out the contour stick from modelco. I've already tried this out on my hand and it seems to blend really well. My colleague who is also a beauty blogger seems even more excited by this and excitement is really contagious.

The Number 4 Lumiere dhiver super comb prep and protect (WOW that's a long name) will be something which I can give a go almost immediately as part of my day to day routine. I'm not as excited by this but it is a practical item which I'll be able to use.

Another item which I'll start to try out immediately will be the Balance me Pure skin face wash which appears to be a Marks and Spencer's product. I always worry about a face wash as if i have a reaction with my sensitive skin it could really ruin all the work I've been trying to do to clear up my blemishes. Oh well. Lets see....

Lastly and the least wow of the products was the Anatomicals Grab your melons shower gel. Its a shower gel folks. It may smell nice but its going to be a sweet smelling gel just like many others out there I'm sure.



As happy as I was with my box i wanted to try one other product so BAD. The product i really wished for in the box was R + Co Badlands dry shampoo Paste. Pity but its an expensive product so its unlikely i will now get a chance to try this. Oh well.



I have the feeling most boxes came with the Grab your melons shower gel as this box edition was pink in line with "CoppaFeel". CoppaFeel is all about ladies keeping an eye on our breasticles and making sure we feel for any lumps and bumps. Their website has a GREAT instruction guide on how to check them which any lady should check out https://coppafeel.org/your-boobs/boob-check-101/ .


Well i hope you folks enjoyed this article and ladies..... go have a grope.... of yourself. I do not encourage you to go grope others!!!

Peace out ☮🕊