Thursday, 16 January 2014

My 2013 Favourites!

Hey guys, so I was meaning to post this on the 1st of January, but unfortunately I was working 40+ hours and just didn't have the time, so here it is, better late than never right?




Okay so I am going to start off with the obvious but most important item, and that is my Nars Sheer glow foundation in Ceylan Light 6, I absolutely love this product, I originally bought this as a foundation to wear on special occasions, but I now use this everyday. I think it was around February last year that I first bought this and I have just re purchased my 3rd one, so only two bottles of this lasted me the whole of 2013, pretty impressive if I do say so my self. This product really goes a long way. As for coverage I would say its a medium coverage but is definitely build able to full coverage, it leaves the skin looking really dewy and healthy and stays put all day with or without a primer.



It took me about 2 months to actually buy this product, and I am so glad I did. I think what put me off was the price, at £24.50 I felt I had to be sure on the colour I wanted, I had about 3 lined up that I wanted to try and couldnt decide. I went with Peach Passion, YSL Rouge Volupte. The colour is absolutely gorgeous, I bought this in the summer and it was the perfect colour to wear daily, subtle and not too heavy. Saying that I have continued to wear this all winter and it still looks nice. The packaging on this product makes it feel like you have bought a special high end product, unlike products like MAC which are a similar price. I find quite alot of lipsticks to dry my lips out, but this is one of a few which doesn't, it feels like a lip salve when its applied and many hours later it still feels the same!



Okay now I am sure this product has made it onto quite few peoples favourites, its one of those product you really don't appreciate until you have run out. I have used 2 of the small tubes and I am now half way through the standard tube. I have tried so many hand creams and not one has come close to the Soap And Glory Hand Food, it is so moisturising and leaves your hands feeling super soft for hours after applying.



There isn't really much to say about this product other than its amazing. I tend to get really dry lips all of the time, either from wearing lipstick all the time or the weather, but I am always in need of this product. As far as I am aware there isn't anywhere in the UK that sells these ( I may be wrong), I have family who live in Canada and they actually send a bundle of these yearly. If you can get your hands on them I would definitely recommend!



This is the Ralph Lauren Big Pony Collection 2. I actually bought this because I knew someone that already owned it and I loved the smell, its a extremrly sweet smell, but fresh and the same time. Perfect summer fragrance, I have actually ran out of this at the moment, but will be repurchasing soon.



 So again for those of you that know me, will know I was completely obsessed with this Essie Nail varnish in the shade Fiji, I think I wore it everyday for at least a month, I really wanted a nude/white nail varnish this summer, I have tried many different ones, but they either make me look really pale or the white ones don't have very good coverage. I came across this one completely my accident in boots whilst I was away in Bournemouth for my 21st last year, its a off white colour with a slight pink tone, and I find it really compliments my skin tone.



So over the course of 2013 I have been in the process of changing my hair, my hair used to be super short and a really dark red colour, my hair is now just below my bra strap and blonde, I love it this colour, but I have had a few problems, what with the initial ginger look ( there is nothing wrong with ginger hair, it just wasn't the look I was going for) and then the brassy yellow tones once I started going blonder. I used this shampoo and condtioner twice a week for about 2 weeks and it knocked all the yellow tones out of my hair completely. It has saved me alot of money constantly getting my hair highlighted and also saved my hair from getting damaged, really inexpensive products also.



These are my favourite shoes I own, these are from Kurt Geiger, I bought them the beginning of last year with my Christmas Money. I will be honest they are not the easiest shoes to walk in, but the actual shoe itself is quite comfortable, they also have a ankle strap which definitely helps, I always find that when I buy a pair of shoes one foot is always bigger than the other, with this strap it stops me from stepping out of them when I walk. This picture doesnt really do them any justice, they arent as dark and what they look like in the picture, they are more of a true orange. I LOVE THEM  



Now for another pair of shoes, I bought these from New Look in September and I think they might be the pair of shoes I have worn the most. At £24.99 I couldnt resist buying them and I am so glad that I did, they are really comfortable and easy to walk it, and with the slingback design I can adjust them correctly so they fit perfectly.


This is a slightly strange item to be in a favourites post, but I think this may be the only necklace I actually wore all summer. I bought this from Primark at the beginning of summer, I cant remember the price im afraid, but it cant have been too much. I don't really own much statement jewellery so this was my go to item throughout the year, as you can tell its a coral orange colour (there seems to be a orange theme going on) which is a perfect colour for summer and I like to wear quite alot of white in the hotter weather and this was the perfect item to brighten up any look!


I hoped you enjoying reading this, there are loads of other items I could have listed but I didnt want this post to be even longer than it already is. I may do a Part II soon.


Courtney xo
@Bloggcourtney

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

My Nail Varnish Collection!

Hey guys, so I have decided to do something a little bit different instead of tags and reviews, and show you my nail varnish collection, for those of you that know me, you will know that I am completely obsessed with anything nails. Anything from shellac to polish to nail art. I am completely obsessed.



I recently purchased this nail varnish stand from amazon (here), I have been looking for one of these stands for such a long time but they are so expensive, the majority of them have retailed at around £30-£50. I found this one on Amazon for £14.98 inc postage, it was reduced by £30 which was a absolute bargain.

On this stand are my most used nail varnishes, and to be honest the ones that look better out on display, they include Barry M, Nails Inc, Essie, China glaze, Ultra Pro, Ciate, Revlon, No7, Seche and Sally Hanson.

I also have a draw full of nail varnishes and gels, these include more of the brands above, and also my CND Shellac and Blue Sky shellac which unfortunately do not fit onto my stand. 

I hope you enjoyed this post!



Courtney xo
@Bloggcourtney

Tuesday, 14 January 2014

TAG: How Much Is My Face Worth!

Hey guys, so it has been a while since I have done a tag post on my blog, well in fact it has been a while since I have posted anything, so apologies for that, lets just class it as a Christmas break and I shall hopefully be back to posting weekly maybe even more, one of my new years resoloutions was to try to not abandon my blog as much as I started to last year. Considering it is already the middle of January I am not doing very well so far, but I have a lot of posts now saved as drafts just waiting to be published.

Okay so I was recently looking through many different blogs looking at different Tags, and one of the current most popular one was the 'How much is my face worth' and I was so shocked to see how quickly the cost of the make up mounts up, so I thought I would give it a go. I also haven't included my skin care routine, this is just makeup, and for some of the brushes they were in a set, so the price will be for the set not individually.


















Face

Monu Illuminating Primer  - This was free with Glossybox, full size retails at £24.95

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation - Light 6, Ceylan £30.50

Collection Last Perfection Conclear - Shade 1. £4.19

Maybelline The Eraser Eye - Shade Light £7.99

YSL Touche Eclat - Shade 2. £25.00

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder - 003 Peach Glow £3.99

Sleek Contour Kit - Shade Fair £9.99

MAC Matte Blush  - Melba £18.00

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Lightscapade £22.00


Eyes/Brows

Sephora Jumbo Liner - 5 Beige £8.52

Sephora Contour Eye Pencil - 15 Flirting Game £6.08

L'Oreal Super Liner - Black Intense £5.49

Benefit They're Real - Black £19.50

L'Oreal Brow Artiste - Blonde £5.49


Lips

YSL Rouge Volupte - Peach Passion £24.50


Brushes ETC

Real Techniques Core Collection - Contour & Buffing Brush used. £21.99

Real Techniques Blush £9.99

Real Techniques Stipple £11.99

No7 Face and Body  £11.99

No7 Eyelash Curler £7.25

Elf Setting Spray £3.25

TOTAL £257.70

I am well aware that I probably buy too much makeup, but I really didn't expect my total to be that high, I also didn't realise how many products I actually use until listing them above. It makes you feel quite sick when you think what else you could have bought with that money, also the fact that make up runs out/drys up/goes out of date and you are constantly repurchasing products and this doesnt include the make up you pick up throughout the month just for the sake of it to try it out.

Thanks for reading, if you are reading this I tag you to see how much your face is worth!

Courtney xo

Sunday, 15 December 2013

Christmas Nails!

Hey guys, so as some of you are aware I am completely obsessed with painting my nails, for the past 6 months I have had shellac on my nails, which don't get my wrong I love, but because I do them myself it works out quite expensive what with constantly wanting new colours, top and base coat, uv lamp and removers and residue removers it's quite pricey! Over the Christmas season I like to change my nails quite a lot, so I soaked all the shellac off my nails, and bought some nail varnishes! 

Firstly I started off by applying a thin coat of Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Base coat, I would highly recommend this as it drys super quick and prevents nail varnish from staining your nails, also helps your nail varnish last longer! Next I applied two coats of Rimmel Urban Purple, this is the perfect winter colour, it just looks so festive, you could probably get away with just one coat if this, but two coats definitely lasts longer! Once this had completely dried I applied one coat of Revlon Sequins in Gold, I must admit this isn't the easiest nail polish to apply as it's quite thick and doesn't spread across the nails very well, you kind of had to pat in on to actually get the gold flakes to stick to you nails. Then to finish of I applied a thin coat of Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Top Coat, I absolutely love this, firstly it dries in just 45 seconds, so it advoids the annoying smudges and chips straight away, and it leaves your nails super shiney! I also find my nails last a lot long after using this! 


Thanks for reading :) 

Courtney xo
-@Bloggcourtney

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Touche Èclat & MAC Red Lipstick!

Hey guys, so firstly I would like to apologise for the lack of blog posts recently, I have so many blog posts saved that I need to publish, but I have just been so busy recently I haven't had the time to do anything let alone blog! 
Anyway onto the more fun part..

In November I was lucky enough to go go Rome, Italy for a weekend, it was my Dads 50th and my Mum and my sister and I decided to take him to Rome to celebrate! 
On the way out we arrived at the airport ridiculously earlier, and I couldn't think of a better way to kill time than some Duty free shopping, I have been trying to find a true Red lipstick for absolutely ages, I have loads of drugstore lipsticks that I have picked up to try but they are never a true red! I visited the MAC store at the duty free and came across MAC Red which is a satin finish and it is perfect, I don't know how I have missed this lipstick in the past but it is honestly the best shade of Red I have found! I was a little worried that because I am quite pale I thought it would completely wash me out, but it actually compliments my skin tone quite well, it also has a blue undertone which makes you teeth appear whiter which is a bonus! 

MAC Red, satin finish £15

Now onto my fabourtite purchase.. YSL Touche Èclat! I have wanted this for so long but I think what with it being a little pricey and always having more important things to buy I have always left it on my wish list! Again whilst I was in Rome I visited the duty free shop on the way home and came across the YSL stand. Apart from a few lipsticks I don't own anything from YSL and ever since I have heard about this I have wanted to try it! I bought this in the Shade 2 which is absolutely perfect, I have actually worn this item a few times on its own, and it even looks amazing then! I was really worried that I would use it up really quick, but one click of the pen is enough to highlight everywhere I need to! I would highly recommend this product! 

YSL Touche Èclat, £29

Thanks for reading :) 

Courtney xo

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Review | Maybelline Baby Lips


Hey guys, apologies for the lack of blogs recently, I have been so busy with work which has started getting a lot busier due to Christmas getting closer, and I just haven't had the time to do anything let alone blog! 
Enough rambling and onto the review. 
I actually work near enough next door to boots so I am always in there on my lunch breaks or before or after work looking for new products to try, I think it's fair to say that I am slightly addicted to shopping in boots! 
I have seen hundreds of posts abouts the maybelline baby lips, and I have really wanted to get my hands onto them, but my local boots have been out of stock everytime I went in there! So I went on to boots website and I was able to order them into store ( I did order quite a few other bits and bobs not just these haha)!

So the first one I chose was the Blue baby lips which is the hydrate one, and the second one I chose was peach kiss just because I love orange lipsticks and they just seems to suit my skin tone better than pinks! 
Firstly these are the cutest lip balms ever, however I do feel like they look slightly tacky, and the look like something you would get free in a magazine, but I guess as long as the product inside is good, the packaging isn't too important! 
Onto the products themselves, I know a lot of people love these and can't get enough of them, but I was so disappointed with them, the blue one which is supposed to hydrate your lips, I found did completely the opposite, it really dried my lips out, and as much as I applied it never felt like I had much on my lips! The peach kiss one is slightly better it doesn't leave any colour of my lips however! I think the only good thing about this product it the price, the are £2.99 from boots and they are currently on a 3 for 2 offer! 


Thanks for reading sorry about all the moaning ha!

Courtney xo

@BloggCourtney

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Review | Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes

Hey guys! I feel like all this blogging jazz is starting to become more regular, and I seem to have a lot a products that I just want to share with you guys. This will be quite a short post so I will just get straight too it, and stop rambling! 
I recently had my hair highlighted, I have had my hair highlighted many of times before but it has never really been the colour I had in my mind, and my hairdresser used to leave the bleach on for as long as she had time for, which usually left my hair slightly ginger! I finally decided I needed a something drastic doing, so I contacted one of my friends who I used to study hairdressing with and she actually managed to turn me into a blonde!
So for every one that has had their hair bleached will know that it really dries your hair out, and after a few weeks bleach blonde hair sometimes turns a little yellow! 
After searching for a few weeks for a perfect Blonde shampoo I came across the Lee Stafford bleach blonde ranch, I only bought two of the products for now to give them ago, I bought the shampoo and conditioner! 


Too start with I would also like to add that I actually really like the packaging of these, just because they are squeezey tubes which will allow you too get every last drop out! This is my biggest problem with the other products I use, the first half of the bottle is fine, and the second half you spend all of your time fighting with it! 
Now onto the actual product, the shampoo is really odd just because it doesn't lather, but it still cleans and nourishes your hair, and the conditioner doesn't feel much different to any other conditioner! But after using this a few times I can really see a different all of my brassy yellow tones are disappearing and my hair looks refreshed like I've just had it highlighted! I would highly recommend this product to any one with bleached hair! 

Ooh also, don't be put off by the colour of the shampoo! It's purple! And it goes onto your hair purple! But it washes off, I promise! 


Thanks for reading :) 

Courtney xo
@BloggCourtney