Budget Beauty Series - Lacura Beauty at Aldi

Now lets be honest Aldi isn't the first place you think of when you think of make up, but over the last few years Aldi has became somewhat of a beauty secret. A firm favourite of magazine and newspaper beauty columns the Aldi Lacura skincare line, has proved a real hit with those in the know, with products from their Anti-Ageing line winning awards in magazine such as Yours and Celebs on Sunday, it's not really surprising when you consider that the mahority of items are under £7.00 which really isn't bad when you thing how much anti-ageing creams are at the beauty counter.
.Whilst I haven't tried any of their anti-aging lines I have tried a few of their skincare items and the items I've tried I have to say have become firm favourites, I've previousy reviewed a few things for you and I have to say I particularly love the Balancing Day Cream at just £1.99 and (whispers) I always have a packet of the 3 in 1 Cleansing Wipes For Normal Skin which are a bargain at around 77p in my drawer, in fact everytime I got to Aldi (once every month or so) I always stock up.
Make Up though is another matter, to be honest I'd seen a few make up items in the skincare section at Aldi but I'd never taken much notice or even contemplated trying anything but one day while my mum was doing her usual thing of talking to every person in the shop I took a closer look at the items. I have to say I was impressed for those of you have just glanced in the beauty section whilst doing a bargain shop I recommend you take another look. Under their Lacura Beauty line they do a full range of products including foundations, powders, blush, mascara, an under eye concealer that I have heard compared to a certain one by YSL, nail varnish,  lipsticks, lipglosses and of course eyeshadows, and do you know what ? everything is under £3 !!

I have to say I was hesitant could anything this cheap really be any good, so I had a little look at the all be it well worn tasters and started off simple and bought a lipgloss. All the products are boxed and sealed so you can guarantee that your products is kept free from prying eyes and sticky fingers. The lipgloss come in a sponge wand type applicator with a gunmetal effect plastic cap which reminds me a bit of a space rocket.

There several colours to choose from (sorry I can't remember how many or what shades they were ) but the one I chose was 200 Coral

It isn't a bright coral pink as the name would suggest, it's actually more a subtle peachy / pink with a touch of shimmer- on my lips it's a great neutral gloss.

I have to say I love the feel of this gloss, it feels so moisturising on the lips and it isn't drying at all. It tastes a little florally but no matter for £1.99 for 8ml this gloss is well worth it and is currently one of my go to lip products. Oh and yes I did buy this in 2009 but it is still exactly the same taste and texture as it always was.

A few months after the lipgloss purchase I picked up another item from the Lacura Beauty range - this time a duo eyeshadow in 202 Olive - again the product comes boxed and sealed so you know you are getting an untouched shadow. The large eyeshadow compact again comes in the gunmetal shade which makes it look a lot more expensive than it it

Also surprisingly for a cheaper product is the large mirror inside the compact, often companies skimp on packaging to save money, but not Lacura Beauty,

yes you get a sponge applicator, which is ok in an emergency but that's about the only minor fail, the packaging is first class. The duo I got Olive is unsurprisingly a green duo, you got a paler and a darker colour green shot through with a little bit of gold

The shadows feel incredibly smooth and they are super pigmented

They apply easily to the eyes, and blend pretty well too, I was also pretty impressed with the blending ability -a few eye shots :)

All in all I have to say that these shadows are majorly impressive, they even lasted quite a while on the lids, you would never think even just by looking at the compact that you had just paid £1.99, their soft and pigmented everything you could want really. Again these came in quite a few colours so they are definitely worth checking out.
Although I bought these products a little while ago, they are still sold in Aldi for exactly the same prices - so check out the website to see a little more of the range. Next time your Aldi I would definitely check the Lacura Beauty range out believe me there are gems in both the skincare and as I've discovered the make up too. If you have any questions please let me know xx

Budget Beauty Series - An Introduction

For a little while know I've been promising you something called The Budget Beauty Series, well on the eve of the first post in the series I thought I'd do a little post telling you all about the series and about how you can get involved.

Despite my recent MAC haul like pretty much everyone else in the country I'm having to cut back a bit on my spending, a few life changes recently means that spending money on clothes and above all make up is just no longer a priority for me. Still desperate for a purchasing high I decided to have a look on the high street and in our fabulous UK drugstores to see what they had to offer in terms of affordable,  no lets be blunt here cheap make up. From several of these purchasing high expeditions the Budget Beauty Series was born. Basically what it's going to be as a showcase and review of some of the cheapest make up brands on the UK high street. I've found affordable make up brands in lots of unexpected places, so this series is your chance to see how these cheaper brands compare, and perform. Every post in the series will focus on one brand that I've perceived as a budget brand, there is no exact science to how I've selected which brands to include, I've mainly chosen brands where the majority of items are under £5.

The post will basically be an overview of the brand as well as a review and swatches of the items that I've personally bought. Up until this point I haven't received anything for the series from any PR companies or brands, I've bought everything myself.Obviously some brands will have slightly bigger posts than others, some products and ranges have been either more appealing to me or easier to access, but I will be including at least two items from every range, including foundations, nail polish, lip things, mascaras and more. How can you help? well basically I'd love your feedback, you can see some of the brands I'll be featuring in the Coming Soon section of my side bar, but which brands would you like to see? and are there any products in particular from the brands I'm already featuring that you would like to see. I've already had lots of requests for product reviews from the Make Up Academy (MUA) line, in fact this is one brand that I own an awful lot from so I will be splitting this into 2 posts, the original MUA line, and MUA Professional, but what brand would you like to see featured? I'd really appreciate your feedback so I can tailor the posts to include what you want to see. The first post should be up sometime tomorrow afternoon and it features a few products from the Aldi Lacura line, so don't forget to check back tomorrow to have a read. If you have any questions or comments please let me know xx
(Pics Taken From We Heart It )

My First MAC Haul In Ages and A Magazine Freebie Round Up

Hi Guys - I promised you a little MAC haul and here it is! I have to say MAC hasn't exactly wowed me over the last few months, a combination of Project 10 Pan and a few blaah collections has meant that I haven't added to my MAC collection very much this year but the new releases this month were right up my street, but I was still a good girl and only get 3 things. I have to say that I changed my mind several times over what I actually wanted from Fashion Flower, in the end I decided to move away from the usual suspects and things that I probably had dupes of, i.e Light Sunshine and Mlle and go for something completely, first up a lipstick, can you guess which one

Yes it's Ever Hip, a bright creamy coral which is way out of my comfort zone but I have to say it's gorgeous and nowhere near as scary as I'd thought - love it :)

Next up beauty powder - I had initially intended to get Light Sunshine but the more I saw of it the more I realised I could dupe it with things I already had, after all it's only a highlight shade, so I went for Alpha Girl instead

I love the flower design and it's almost too pretty to use but I'm sure I will as it's such a gorgeous peachy pink with a bit of gold shimmer- you can't see it too well here because I've fake tanned :)

Finally my one purchase from Semi Precious - as much as I love mineralize eyeshadows I have more than enough so I passed on those, which pretty much only left the MSF's I could easily have bought 3 but I just got the one - Rose Quartz

Close up of the centre splodge

This is a gorgous peachy / pink with a mass of shimmer and glitter in the middle

I have to say this is really pretty and I'm happy to have it in my all be it small MSF collection.
So that was it my MAC duck officially broken for the year - I have to say looking forward at future collections for the rest of the year there is every possibility my MAC drought will continue, the only things that really excite me are new paintpots, and the re-release of Porcelain Pink, and Lightscapade MSF, yes you heard me Lightscapade, it's my go to winter highlight and I will definitely be picking another one up, but hopefully I can be good and only buy things that I really need.
Oh and while I'm on about hauling just a heads up on this months magazine freebies, InStyle comes with either two Body Shop eye pencils or a mascara, Cosmopolitan as you saw the other day comes with a free Missguided nail polish, and today my mum picked me up a copy of this months Marie Claire magazine and with it comes a free Ciate Lipgloss

She got me the colour Ibiza which is a super hot pink - I guess I'm thinking positive getting all these summery shades

If that one isn't to your taste you can also get a nude beige shade - not only that but next months Marie Claire comes with a free Ciate nail polish, next months Cosmo comes with free Eyelure false lashes, next months Elle comes with a choice of 3 exclusive Mavala nail polishes and Red comes with a free Balance Me body wash. I don't know what it is but magazines are really upping their game as far as free gifts are concerned. If you have any questions on anything at all please leave me a comment xx

My Long Promised Review Of Revlon Color Stay Mineral Mousse Foundation

I said a few days ago that July was going to be the month were I tackled my Coming Soon post list and so far so good I have two long promised posts to go up before this week is out, starting with this one.
A little while ago (I'm talking a good 6 months +) I bought a few different Revlon foundations to try out including Color Stay, Beyond Natural, and this one Color Stay Mineral Mousse SPF 20.

Designed to be long lasting Color Stay Mineral Mousse provides the benefits of mineral make up in an easy to use mousse with a matte finish. The product comes in an easy to use squeezy black tube with a clear section so you can see the colour. I like this type of packaging as not only is it super easy to use but you can also cut it in half to make sure you use every drop of product making it super economical, My one complaint is that the black packaging can look a bit grubby but it's pretty easy to clean.

The colour I chose was Light but there are several shades to choose from. Light I have to say is a pretty good match for my skin at this time of year where my skin isn't as pale as it is in the depth of winter but at the same time it doesn't have any real colour yet. The foundation itself has a thickish mousse like texture and feels very smooth on the skin. It has a very faint slightly chemical slightly fruity smell, I tried a few different ways of application including using a foundation brush and a sponge but I found the best way to apply was with my fingers and blending it out with a damp sponge. Now for some pictures:
Before

As you can see my skin is pretty shiny with lots of redness and a few blemishes - scary!

After

In this pictures I am just wearing this foundation. As you can see it gives a good even full coverage, covering everything from redness and blemishes. It has a matte finish which I have to say I prefer with my oily combination skin and above all it seems to last. My one complaint is that you do seem to use a lot of product, so it probably won't last that long but I have to say I love this and will definitely repurchase. It retails at around £10.29 from the likes of Boots but search on the internet and you can easily buy it for half price. Any questions please ask xx

A Bad Girls Haulage

OK I admit I hauled as well as ordering a few bits from MAC, today we rather unexpectedly ended up at the Metro Centre. To cut a long story short I needed a new ink cartridge, nowhere near me had a one left so to Argos we headed, we got the cartridge then I had a little trip across the centre to Superdrug, and  maybe I went into Primark.....
The initial object of my desire was this and I got the last one - hurray!!

The V05 Miracle Concentrate - I've heard so many good things about this and I couldn't find it anywhere I am going to give it a go tonight as my hairdresser kindly told me that my mid lengths and ends are really dry eek!
As you've probably already guessed I also had a little look around the make section and I did pick up a few make up things - first of all I got another L'Oreal Color Infaillible Eyeshadow - this time in 016 Coconut Shade, a pale vanilla shade

I have to say now I've got this home I'm not a 100% sure - it's actually a matte shade and not as pigmented as the shimmery ones nevermind I'll give it a go.

I also got a couple of items to go towards my Budget Beauty Series - first up this NYC Metro Eyeshadow Quartet in 818A Union Square

and another MUA Lipstick, this time in Shade 7

Oh and I also picked up a copy of this months Cosmopolitan which comes with a free Missguided nail polish, I love Missguided polishes (see here for my previous reviews) and there are 3 colours to choose from I went for Misstique, a gorgeous turquoise / teal

I also popped into Primark, I wasn't intending too but there were sale signs in the window and a Primark sale really does mean a bargain. As per usual it was crammed but I managed to pick up a few bits including
this crinkle maxi skirt for £5

and this cotton beach maxi dress for only £3

I also got these earmuffs for 50p - yes I know it's summer but for the price it was well worth picking them up

Next up some jewellery bits - bracelets

and a ring set

and finally I picked up a few cosmetics bits again to go towards my Budget Beauty series - My Hearts Desire Shimmer Blush Hearts

and a Smoke Screen Smokey Eye Kit - first impressions of this I have to say are good

Obviously full reviews of these to come - oh and if your a North East dweller Metro Centre Primark is on the move, it's taking over both levels of the former Woolworths and Internacionale stores, so it's going to be huge! and the rumour is Forvever 21 is taking over Primarks current stores woohoo!!!
Anyways that was my unexpected haul - Obviously I'll post my MAC haul when it comes but hopefully that will be it  for this month now x Next up a review post - Any questions please ask xx

Nails Of The Day Featuring LA Colors

Hey my loves - another nails of the day for you this time from US brand LA Colors, this brand isn't that widely available in the UK but I managed to pick this up recently in local discount store Boyes for a bargain 99p

It's LA Colors Colour Craze Nail Polish in NP416 Radiation - the bottle picture to be honest is a bit misleading it looks quite blue here but in fact it goes on a lovely turquoise / teal shade - It took 3 coats to get it too this colour but for 99p I'm not complaining - please excuse the hideous burn on my finger I have burnt my fingers whilst cooking 3 times in the past fortnight !!!

Pretty isn't it - any questions please ask xx

June Favourites

I just thought you might be interested in watching my June Favourites video it's the first talkie I've filmed on my new camera so let me know what you think x Enjoy xx

Another Week Begins

Hello my loves I hope you all had a lovely weekend mine was quiet but fairly productive. Today's been a bit of a mixed bag if I'm honest. I had a doctors appointment this afternoon which I wasn't looking forward to - I get so fed up of medical appointments all the time, but thankfully this one wasn't so bad, my meds are staying the way they are for another few months at least, and I've lost another 2lbs :) Today also saw the online release of two new MAC collections, as you know MAC hasn't exactly rocked my world lately but these two collections Fashion Flower and Semi Precious definitely appealed. I was a bit indecisive over what to buy but I settled on 3 things, which alas take me over my July limit already whoops a daisy. Never mind I'll show you some pics of what I got when the parcels come through x As well as my MAC haul I also have a few other posts planned for this week including at least one NOTD, a foundation review, and the the first post in my Budget Beauty series focusing on Aldi Lacura, Till then I'm keeping my fingers crosses that the weather stays fine and I'm enjoying an I've lost weight treat Scottish Raspberries with Cornish Ice Cream - Nom Nom :)

Living Nature Lipstick - A Review For My Pure

After my success last month with a Living Nature Eyeshadow Duo, I decided to try another make up product from the line as part of June's My Pure reviews.

The product I decided to try from this popular New Zealand based natural toiletry and cosmetic line, was a lipstick. Seeing as the average woman ingest of 2. kilos of lipstick in her life time, Living Nature wanted to make a lipstick which is as pure and natural as possible. Recently voted as the best lipstick in The Green Parent magazine, Living Nature's lipsticks are free from lead, and contain only natural ingredients including vegetable waxes, vitamin E, and plant based squalene for added moisture - in fact Living Nature even claim that this product is safe to eat such is its purity!!

The lipsticks come boxed, and the bullet has a rubbery finish very like that used by NARS, I have mixed feelings about this packaging if I''m honest it's much easier to hold when your hands are damp but it is very hard to keep clean.

There are 10 shade to choose from and I went for the shade Dusk

I have to say I think the swatch on the website is a little off as it definitely looked lighter on the My Pure site but this is a chance you always take when ordering online - In reality Dusk is a very wearable brown / orange toned nude - here is a little swatch

and a lip shot

Despite not being exactly what I expected I've actually got a lot of wear from, and compliments on this colour - it seems to really work with my skintone. The lipstick itself has a really smooth none gritty texture, and it feels pretty moisturising on the lips, I've certainly notice no bittiness or dryness whilst using it. It also seemed to last pretty well in the warm conditions we've had over the last few weeks. My one minor complaint is the taste, I have to say I'm used to nice vanilla tasting lipsticks, this one on the other hand doesn't taste of much, maybe just a little bit waxy. The taste is something I can live with though for what is essentially a very good natural cosmetics product containing no nasties - it's another winner from Living Nature for me  :) The Living Nature Lipstick 4g is available in 10 colours and retails at £13.49 from My Pure.

(Living Nature Lipstick 4g in Dusk Was Provided By My Pure For Review Purposes)