Sample Saturday - Benefit They're Real Double The Lip - Nude Scandal

I may have already mentioned it a few times, both on here and on Instagram, but if you haven't already heard I'm having a bit of a clear out at the moment. I'm not big on new years resolutions but I do usually set myself a few goals, a few targets and a few things that I want to achieve, and this year one of my big aims was to get myself more organised and clear out some of the junk both in my house and in my mind!

Like most things I got waylaid, but now in the last month or so of the year, I'm actually getting down to it and clearing out some of that clutter. Whilst methodically going through each room and sorting out some of my stuff I realised that something was missing? What was missing? well magazines of course. I used to be a prolific magazine buyer, I used to buy at least 4 a month and I couldn't pop into the supermarket without picking up a coffee break read but now I can go for months without buying a glossy mag.

To be honest I'm not big on celebrity gossip and I'm not big on skimming though 100 pages of adverts in every £4 or so, issue. Don't get me wrong, print magazines still have their place but my love affair with the glossy definitely seems to be over. Looking back over the last 12 months or so, the only time I seem to have bought a magazine, is either when I've been stuck in somewhere boring like a hospital, or when there is a decent free gift.

I'm a sucker for a magazine freebie but now though I seem to be a little bit more selective over which ones that I pick up. I don't need and more hand cream, or eye liners, or mascaras so I'm starting to actually think about what I buy, after all it's only a decent offer if you actually want both the magazine and the product!

Recently though the UK addition of ELLE magazine, featured a free gift that I really wanted and that I'd been debating whether or not to buy for sometime.

I've talked about my love for Benefit Cosmetics on many occasions and the freebie in question was a  Benefit They're Real Double The Lip Beyond Sexy Lipstick & Liner In One in the shade Nude Scandal.

Way back in March I posted a review of four of the shades in the collection, and I have to say I really rate them. You can have a little read here to see why but I love the colours, the texture, the wear time, and the whole lipstick and liner in one concept. My favourite shades were both of the pink colours, Pink Thrills and Lusty Rose, but I really wanted to try the shade Nude Scandal, and this magazine freebie give me the perfect opportunity to try it out.

Alas it wasn't a full size lippy, but it was a decent 0.75g, half size, which gave me plenty opportunity to try it out and to include in an all be it, very rare, Sample Saturday post x 

Obviously I've already talked about what makes these lipsticks so special, but just to recap it's all down to the shape and the shades. The entire Benefit They're Real range is basically about making the best of yourself with just a tiny hint of fakery or should I say self improvement.

In a slim, metallic look tube these lipsticks have a unique teardrop shaped tip, the lipstick at the pointed tip of the teardrop is in a slightly darker shade, compared to the rest of the teardrop. This pointed tip gives you your liner look, so when you apply the lipstick with the point at the outer edge of your lips, your lining them and filling them in with the one product.It takes a little bit of getting used to, twisting the bullet around but once you get the hang of it, it's a lot quicker than using a separate lipstick and liner.

In some of the shades there looks to be quite a drastic difference between the lipstick and liner and shades but once you get them on the lips there is no harsh line and you certainly don't get that horrible dark liner, pale lips look, instead you just get slightly fuller, plumper looking lips.

Nude Scandal is a really wearable nude, it isn't too brown, and it certainly isn't one of those pale, deathly looking nudes. It's a very pink, nude which I think will suit a lot of different skin tones. I've worn it an awful lot since I got and it's definitely one of those go to colours that literally goes with any outfit or make up look.

These lipsticks aren't the most moisturising lipsticks that I've ever used but they certainly aren't drying, and the fab demi matte formula wears incredibly well.

My only issue with these lipsticks, when I first reviewed them was the slightly odd, TCP type taste and scent, but thankfully Nude Scandal doesn't taste like something I should be applying to a cut! Whether I got a bad batch or whether they've added some fragrance and flavouring I don't know, but this tube of Nude Scandal has a very subtle vanilla taste and scent.

Although I've managed a little clear out and I've recently giving Mummy Lou a huge bagful of lip products, I still have way too many for one set of lips, despite that though Nude Scandal is a recent addition that I'm happy to have. I really like these lipsticks and Nude Scandal is an excellent everyday colour, that's really easy to apply and wear. As I say this is the half, 0.75g size but the full 1.5g size, of Benefit They're Real Double The Lip Beyond Sexy Lipstick & Liner In One in Nude Scandal retails at around £16.50 from various retailers including Boots, John Lewis, Debenhams, and of course the Benefit website. Have you tried these lipsticks yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments and if you're a Benefit fan I've got a couple more reviews coming up for you in the next few days.

Nails Of The Day - Orange Anyone?

Yes OK this colour is pretty similar to the one in my previous nails of the day post but I did enjoy wearing it so I thought I'd stick to the same colour palette.

This one Mavala Elle Orange came free with Elle magazine a few months ago, and the name describes it perfectly, you can't see it as well in the nail shots it's looking much redder than it is irl, the single bottle shot is probably the most accurate

As per usual this is two coats again though  if you applied it carefully you could probably get away with one. Obviously this particular colour will be pretty hard to track down now but there are lots of orange polishes out there. If you want this colour in particular though don't despair, my giveaway prize box contains a brand new bottle of Elle Orange, so don't forget to check it out here, before Sunday xx

Freebies Ahoy xx

Hey my loves I now you've probably already seen a zillion posts on this already, but the September issues of some of our favourite magazines are packed to the brim full of freebies. Me and Mummy Lou headed to the Asda superstore this morning where I managed to pick up 3 magazine (I only paid for one though tee hee thanks mum). I'd already tried my local Tesco but so many of the freebies were missing or had been stolen it was untrue. Anyways from just 3 magazines I got this little lot and a pile of sachets including perfume, shower gels and body lotions

Marie Claire this month features a free Ciate Paint Pot Nail Polish, I got the nude shade My Fair Lady, and it also came with a 50ml tube of Dove Intensive Repair Express Treatment Hair Conditioner, I first got a tube of this free with an ASOS order and I have to say it's really good and it smells gorgeous

The Semptember issue of Elle as you'll probably already know comes with a free exclusive Mavala nail polish in the choice of three colour red, grey and the orange that I got :)

Finally I got Red magazine - I like Red it has a more grown up feel and a wide variety of article - this month's has a free 125ml sized Balance Me Body Wash , there are two varieties to choose from and I went for was Rose Otto, which has a lovely natural rose scent

They were the ones that I got but there are plenty more magazine freebies to be had this month, Cosmopolitan has free false eyelashes and Tatler has free Rigby and Peller knickers!!! This seems to be the month for freebies next month doesn't seem to be half as exciting still Red does appear to have a free novel so I'll be picking up that to read on the beach.
As well as 2 magazine Mummy Lou also picked me up a few bits including the infamous Goody Spin Pins, and a George lipgloss, and she also ordered me some clothes from Boohoo  reviews and pics to of these to com x  and of course you can expect to see the nail polishes featuring in some nails of the day soon, Any questions please leave me a comment I love hearing from your guys xx

Small Town Haulage and Goodies From 2 Lovely Ladies

Hey my beauties :) I know I gave you a haul this morning but you may have already noticed from my sidebar that I have already made a few purchases in June - Whoops!
This afternoon I popped to one of my local towns to pick up a few things for one of my besties birthday pressie and yes I picked up a few bits for me :) First up Superdrug - I picked up the other Accessorize £1.99 eyeshadow trio packs.

First up 21 - Iris a gorgeous shimmer lilac, a little bit darker than it's looking here

It also contained 4- Platinum - a gorgeous shimmery silver /grey

and finally 5 - Mermaid a gorgeous turquoise / teal shade

Swatches - again they are super soft and pigmented - I really recommend these especially for just £1.99

Next up a few Beauty UK items :) I haven't included any swatches at the moment because these products will all be included in my Beauty UK post from my upcoming Budget Beauty Series.
First up a nail polish - I haven't managed to capture the colour very well here so it's a work in progress - it's No.45 Turquoise Shim -which describes it pretty well - it's darker and more shimmery than it's looking here

Next a lipstick this is a bit of a departure for me but the times they are a changing - this is 10 Passion a gorgeous juicy blue based red

Finally I got a baked eyeshadow trio in Earth a lovely neutral palette

I also popped to Boyes and picked up a few stationery bits, and another LA Colors nail polish, this time in a shimmery aqua, blue called Radiation

I also bought a few magazine Elle with a free Reiss vest top which was tiny!! and Red which had a choice of 3 Jemma Kidd Lipglosses free. They had a nude peach, a red, and the colour I chose 15 Coral - Again not a typical LouLou colour but I'm really fancying a change - it really is a super hot coral.

So that was my little haul I also got a couple of parcels that were paid for in May x - first up a lipstick from the lovely Charlotte's blog sale - It's the Fearne Cotton lipstick from the hatbox collection

I got one for my birthday and really liked it and when I saw Charlotte was selling it I had to have it - it's a love peach /pink nude :) - Please check out Charlotte's blog if you haven't already she is lovely girls and she sent me such a sweet note with the lipstick too :)

I also got a lovely little parcel from the lovely Sinead at Dainty Dollymix from her Jewellery site -packaged in a cute little chiffon bag with sequins and sparkles her jewellery makes a lovely gift, I discarded mine before I took the pics I was that desperate to get this on my finger

It's such a pretty adjustable shell ring - it was only £3.00 and she has 8 designs to choose from I am definitely considering another one :) Thanks Sinead xx
So that was another bit of haulage eek I am still waiting for my NARS - thanks ASOS rolls eyes :( but other than that I'm pretty much done - rather scarily I am already over £20 down for June I must try harder - Any questions please let me know xx``

Magazine Freebie Of The Month

I am lead to believe that magazine freebies are very much a European thing and that you lovely American and Canadian ladies miss out of these little incentives :( Over the last year or so I have to say they are getting much better, with branded make up and nail polish now being common place.

This month is no exception, the March issue of one of my favourite magazines ELLE with Keira Knightly on the cover, includes an eye pencil from the newly launched Neals Yard Remedies make up line.

One of the first eyeliners to certified by the soil association, they contain vitamins, natural mineral pigments and antioxidant's, and are free from mineral oils, talcs and parabens.

The shade I got with my mag was Midnight - a rich black -  you can get a nice sharp line with it or you can blend it our for a smokey look. It has a nice texture, and you get a smooth line with no dragging.

I think this is a decent freebie especially if you are interested in trying out some "natural" cosmetics, and after all when does a black eyeliner pencil ever come in wrong. The magazine is a pretty hefty £3.80, but the pencil retails at £9.50 so it's pretty good value

Not only that but inside the magazine to celebrate Neals Yards 30% anniversary there is a 20% off coupon to use in any Neals Yard Remedies store , alas there isn't one near me but if your based down south it's definitely worth a look.

I haven't been asked to write this post but I love a freebie and can't wait till next month for the Glamour / Clinique freebies xx

Magazine Freebies and A Rant :)

OK you've probably read a billion and one posts like this over the last few days but never mind I just want to make you all aware of some fabulous freebies with your UK magazine. As well as super bags in InStyle and Elle this month, you can also get a free Jemma Kidd lipgloss in Red magazine and these fabulous bits - that your probably sick of hearing about lol
Glamour magazine is giving away a free Benefit pencil in July's issue - you can chose from the "It Stick" concealer, "eye bright" eye brightener, and "Bad Gal" black eyeliner pencil - I of course got all 3 but it's not bad when you consider that each magazine is only £2 and the combined cost of the freebies is over £45 - bargain!
I also picked up another copy of Marie Claire - At the moment I am majorly hacked off - I subscribe to Marie Claire and yesterday my issue came but half the pages were ripped and unreadable:( and as per usual subscription issues don't come with free gifts! I have sent an email complaining but as yet I've had no response - come on Marie Claire IPC Media get your fingers out grrr. Anyway I ended up buying another copy to read and to get the free gift which is a free 100ml bottle of Cowshed bath and shower gel - there were several to choose from so I chose Knackered Cow - Relaxing - with lavender and eucalyptus - yum!
So lots of goodies out there for you UK readers this month - oh and if you get Cosmopolitan this month there is a free novel and inside there is a little twitter quote from me on the cosmo woman - I'm famous lol

Edited to add - I've had a response from Marie Claire - they are adding another issue to my subscription - better than nothing I suppose....

Festive Tag

I saw this on the lovely Jo's blog and decided to do it :)

Favourite Colour Probably shades of blue or purple :)

Facebook? Yeah afraid so I don't spend as much time on it as I used to

Favourite Christmas Song I love all the Christmas songs but it would have to be an unusual one The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping

Christmas Tree - Real or Fake? I have to say fake now but we used to have a real one all the time when I was little the smell is something else but they are sooo messy and with cats the plastic is easier and safer

Hottest Celebrity? Must admit nobody is rocking my world at the moment

Favourite Restaurant - I don't eat out a lot it's too awkward but I like Est Est and Chiquitos I can normally find something to eat there

Favourite Magazine - I buy so many probably Elle or Vogue

Favourite Holiday Drink - ooo Bucks Fizz, Mulled Wine, Pepsi - odd one that but it used to be the only time my mum ever bought it :)

Favourite Christmas Movie A Muppet Christmas Carol or Raymond Briggs The Father Christmas

I'd love to know yours too so I tag all of you x

Primark Makes Me Scream!

There is a fab article in this months British Elle by Sarra Manning entitled "In Primark no one can hear you scream"
I went to Primark for the first time in a bit on Wednesday and I have to say I couldn't agree more! Clothes chucked all over the floor, chavs everywhere, and queues stretching halfway round the shop grr!
OK I got some lovely cheap stuff but it gets worse - I got two cardigans in black and teal both exactly the same bar the colour so I only tried one on. I got home and realised the teal cardi was on the wrong hanger and was two sizes too small.
Thankfully my mum went and exchanged it today for me - unsurprisingly enough the only one left was the one in the size I wanted on the hanger that matched the size I ended up with!
I think I have learnt a lesson here - always check the size on the garment not the hanger!