Palette Of The Month - Bare Minerals - The Star Treatment And Prime Time Eyelid Primer

For February's palette of the month I decided to pick a palette that I got for Christmas - The Bare Minerals Ready 8.0 Eyeshadow Palette - The Star Treatment. This palette was unfortunately a limited edition product from the Bare Minerals holiday collection, but I absolutely love it and I would thoroughly recommend it if you can get your hands on it :)

I'm a huge fan of Bare Minerals as a cosmetic line, I love the ease and quality of the products but sometimes you just want the convenience of a pressed powder foundation, blusher or eyeshadow. Whilst Bare Minerals as a company recognised that their customers wanted this more convenient option, they wanted to stay true to their beliefs and stay clear of the parabens, binders, fillers and harsh chemicals that are often staple ingredients in many make up products. After many years of research they finally found a formulation that worked, they combined mineral powders with antioxidants,  plant ingredients, and sea minerals to produce the Ready collection, a range of pressed mineral products, that offer the same quality and skincare benefits as their regular mineral line

From the first moment that I set eyes on the Ready line on the Sephora website, months before it ever hit the UK I knew I wanted to try it. Bare Minerals though isn't the cheapest range out there so I didn't manage to get my hands on any of the products till Christmas

The Star Treatment Palette was one of several limited edition 8 pan eyeshadow collections that were released especially for the festive period. The palettes came beautifully boxed and the box also contained a mini 1.5ml tube of Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer.

The palette itself comes in an amazing mirrored silver compact. Gorgeous in appearance but a little bit impractical - it attracts finger prints like crazy, and to keep it looking pristine it needs wiping down every time you touch it - do I have time for that? no not really, but it's still pretty

The inside of the compact features a full sized mirror, and a double ended applicator. The applicator is actually pretty decent quality, it's  double ended and features an eyeshadow brush on one end and a more pointed brush on the other end which you could use for liner. I've actually used this quite a bit and its not a bad brush at all.

Now on to the most exciting part the shadows! The palette comes with 8 - 1g eyeshadows mainly in a neutral tone and all with shimmer. If you don't like shimmer yet again this palette isn't for you. A lot of the shadows also have a metallic finish. As you've probably already realised this is quite a warm toned palette, which suits me down to the ground.

The shades on the top row are from left to right VIP, Connoisseur, Carte Blanche, and Ritzy

The shades on the bottom row are from left to right Kudos, Bragging Rights, Elitist, and Extravagance

These eyeshadows are amazingly pigmented, and they are super soft and smooth. The effect is almost as if you have used a pigment or mineral shadow wet. You don't need to wet these shadows the almost creamy powder texture is apparent without the shadows ever even seeing a drop of water.

In the box you get an application guide giving you an idea of the looks you can create, but for this post I've just used all the shadows individually - apologies that the lighting may be a bit off in some of them but I hope you can see the strength and the pigment and the texture.

First up VIP - the darkest and probably the scariest shadow in the palette. It is a black shade which contains loads of multi coloured sparkle I would imagine that this would be a good contour shade, and you probably use it as a liner too. I've just used it here to create a really simple smoky eye  - just pat it on and blend a bit :)

Next up Connoisseur - this is a really bright, metallic old gold colour, or if you prefer a dark metallic mustard. This shade really looks like metallic foil on the lids.

At first glance the next shade in the palette Carte Blanche, looks like a shimmery creamy white, but it's so much more than that. It's shot through with gold giving it the most amazing iridescent white gold effect. If wearing it on it's own here but this would make a really interesting highlight shade when used alongside some of the other colours in the palette.

The final shade on the top row is Ritzy, a metallic chocolate brown, with hints of bronze and gold.

The second row starts with a really interesting shade Kudos. This shade reminds me an awful lot of MAC's Vex, it's a nude beige crammed full of gold and green iridescence - great on it own or alongside Elitist as a highlight shade.

Bragging Rights is the next shade in the palette. It's a gorgeous true metallic copper, think a brand new 2p coin and your about there.

If your a regular reader of my blog you'll know that I love olive greens, and the next shade in the palette fits the bill perfectly. Elitist is gorgeous metallic olive green that great worn on its own.

The final shade in the palette is Extravagance, a really shimmery light metallic gold, great on it's own or alongside any of the other shades.

All of the colours in this palette are amazingly pigmented, and they have a super soft almost creamy feel. They are really easy to work with and you only need a tiny little bit. Wear time is pretty decent as you would expect with the pigmentation, but when you use the shadows alongside the Prime Time Eyelid Primer, it goes from decent to amazing.

I have to say I didn't expect much from such a tiny 1.5ml tube but because you need so little this stuff really goes a long way. It has quite a thick cream type texture but it blends out really easily.

It is nude in colour but one shade would be suitable for all because it literally turns invisible on the lids so it was impossible to photograph on my lids you just couldn't see any difference.

It leaves a matte texture on the lids and it really seems to smooth out any imperfections. It really worked like a dream especially when I used it with VIP, and some of the stronger shades. I even tried the one eye test with this and VIP and the difference was dramatic. After about 10 hours, the eye which I'd used the eye prime on was pretty much perfect with barely no creasing or fading, where are the shadow on the other eye was still there but it had faded, smudged and creased. I have quite oily lids and I've seen a huge difference with the palette and with other shadows I own when I've used this primer. When I've used all my eyeshadow primers up I will definitely buy the full size of this product, and I'm also really interested in trying out the coloured shadow versions too.

I have to say my first experience of  Bare Minerals Ready has been a hugely positive one the shadows are so pigmented and wearable, and they felt great on the eyes. My favourite shades in this palette are Elitist and Kudos but they are all beautiful. As I say this palette is probably pretty hard to get hold of now but if you can it's well worth it and if not there are similar shades in the permanent Ready line. Have you tried any products from the Bare Minerals Ready line?, let me know in the comments and of course let me know if you have any questions x

Budget Beauty Series - AVON Color Trend Kiss N Go Lipsticks

Some of the first make I ever owned that wasn't a hand me down from my mum or a relative was from the Color Trend range at Avon. Very much marketed towards the young and trendy market the entire Color Trend range has recently been revamped so over the past few months I've picked up a couple of things from the line to try out.

The main thing that I've tried has been their Kiss N Go Lipsticks. These are priced at a pretty bargainous £3.75 each. If your a regular Avon shopper though you'll know that you every brochure is full of special offers so it's very rare that anything is either full price or doesn't come with a free gift. If you've read my February haul post you'll know that my mum kindly treated me to a few of these lipsticks last month, they had an offer on which was buy one get two free - this is just one example of some of the amazing offers that you can find on a monthly basis, and it was a hard one to turn down.

The lipsticks come packaged is basic but quite funky packaging. They are predominantly white with pink / purple lettering, and a clear section through which you can see the colour of the lipstick.

The first shade that I got is one that Mummy Lou already owns, Pink Holiday. I tried hers on and I have to say that I loved it.

Like all of the shades it looks quite bright in the tube but it's actually a lovely wearable pink, that would suit a lot of skin tones. It looks a bit brighter than it's appearing here in real life though

I also got Flirt, this looks quite terrifying both in the bullet and in the swatch, but it actually looks a lot nicer and more wearable in real life.

It looks quite orange in the bullet and swatched but on my lips it looks more peachy, coral, again all be it a little brighter than it's showing here though x

The final shade I picked up last month was Beige Star

Again this looks a bit different in the tube to what it does on the lips. In the tube it looks very brown, but it's actually a really wearable nude. I haven't worn a nude lip for a little while but I've worn this a few times already and I'm really liking it.

The final lipstick that I own from the Color Trend Kiss N Go range is one that I actually got a few months ago now - Violet Friday

It's a really pretty lilac shade, that looks like a very blue based pink on my lips. Thanks to the stupid light yet again this lipstick looks brighter in the flesh.

I have to say I think these lipsticks are pretty decent, there are currently 16 shades in the range, and new colours and limited editions seem to be being  introduced all the time.

The lipsticks have a soft texture, and have a sweet taste and smell, almost a combination of coconut and vanilla, and they contain an SPF 15. In my experience they tend to look a little bit different in the tube to what they do on the lips, and whilst they are pigmented, you can also apply them quite sheerly. As you would expect they aren't particularly long lasting - I usually manage about an hour to two hours wear before needing to reapply. The obviously glossy tone of the lipstick disappears first leaving a slight stain to the lips which is particularly evident with Violet Friday.

I can definitely see myself picking a few more of these up next time they have a good offer on. Whilst it's hard to pick colours using the brochure I quite fancy Hot Pink Love and Amethyst, and I also quite fancy trying the Color Trend Lip Styx which are new in the latest brochure. Have you tried any of the Color Trend products? let me know in the comments and of course let me know if you have any questions xx

Trimming My Stash - February Empties And Mini Reviews

Well here we are again at the start of a new month. I know that February is the shortest month of the year but it still seems to have flown by! Like last month I've been concentrating on trimming my stash and trying to use product up and I'm pleased to say that I February I finished 11 items.

Good Things Fresh Start Creamy Cleanser - 150ml

Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara - 8ml

Lush Glogg Shower Gel - 250g

Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner - 50ml

Perfect Formula Strong Nail System Daily Moisture - 15ml

AHAVA Time To Clear Eye Make Up Remover - 125ml

Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara - 01 Black - 8ml

AHAVA Dead Sea Salt Softening Butter Salt Scrub - 350g

Avon Skin So Soft Soft And Firm Targeted Firming Treatment - 200ml

The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner - 250ml

Hand Pack Intensive Rejuvenation - Rose And Shea Butter

Total - 11 Items

One of the items was a bit of a cop out as you'll see but I'm still pretty pleased with that - I finished a nice combination of body care, skin care, and make up.

1. Good Things Fresh Start Creamy Cleanser - 150ml

I have a bit of an apology to make here - I was sent this product ages and ages ago to review but I completely forgot about till there was pretty much none left. This is a cream cleanser that's full of fruit extracts including grape and pomegranate. It has a lovely fruity fragrance and it's feels nice on the skin you can either remove it with cotton wool or you can wash it off. It's designed for drier skins but it didn't leave my skin feeling oily or greasy x 

2. Eyeko Big Eyes Mascara - 8ml

From an apology to a confession, I haven't finished this products in fact I've only used it about 6 or 7 times but I absolutely hate it. This is the original formulation of Eyeko's mascara which has now been discontinued. I'd heard so many people rave about this so I bought it and forgot about till last week. I hate the brush and I hate the formulation. It transfers like anything and has smudged every time I've tried to use it, and it literally welds my lashes together and leaves them feeling sooooo dry and uncomfortable. I tried to persevere with but when I had to delete 20 photos I'd taken because it looked like a smudgy clumpy mess it was time it met the bin

3. Lush Glogg Shower Gel - 250g

I got this for Christmas and I have to say my first impressions weren't good. It foamed really well and all the rest of it but I couldn't get used to the smell. Fast forward a month or two and it's actually grown on me - the smell is a mixture of citrus, spices and red wine, and it has a warm slightly spicy scent - which my mum said was akin to cough medicine. I didn't love it so I'm not sure I'd repurchase but by the end the bottle perhaps I'd learnt to appreciate it more x

4. Elemis Balancing Lavender Toner - 50ml

I'm starting to run low on toners and skin fresheners in my skin care drawer, so I'm trying a few things out that I'm finding at the bottom, in the hope that I'll find something to replace my beloved Liz Earle which due to the upcoming price rises I can barely justify buying :( This is the Elemis offering for oily or combination skin. I love the smell and the feel of this toner on my skin but again it's at the wrong end of the price spectrum for me :( I'd love to know what skin toner you would recommend so please let me know yours in the comments x

5. Perfect Formula Strong Nail System Daily Moisture - 15ml

This is basically a nail /cuticle oil - I will be doing full review of the entire Perfect Formula in the next month or so x

6. AHAVA Time To Clear Eye Make Up Remover - 125ml

I received the product to review and you can read my full review here. I really liked this but I'm still looking for more pocket friendly eye make up remover, so again I would love it if you would leave your favourite in the comments xx

7. Liz Earle Lash Definition Smudgeproof Mascara - 01 Black - 8ml

Another product that I received for review purposes - you can read my full review here x The only thing I would probably add to it is that this mascara did seem to dry out and thicken quite quickly, definitely something to consider before purchasing x

8. AHAVA Dead Sea Salt Softening Butter Salt Scrub - 350g

Ahhh yet another product that I'd received for review purposes, and one that I really, really loved. I would definitely buy this again if money was no object. It is pricey but it lasted a long time. You can read my full review here x

9. Avon Skin So Soft Soft And Firm Targeted Firming Treatment - 200ml

I bought this ages and ages ago as part of a buy 1 get 2 free promotion. The fresh smelling cream came with an applicator to massage it in to your wobbly bits. Did it do anything? I'm not convinced it did probably why I can't find it in the brochure any more.

10. The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Toner - 250ml

When I'm not using Liz Earle's this and Lush's Tea Tree Water are my go to's particularly when I'm suffering from a breakout or even just a random spot. It's a dual phase product that contains Tea Tree and a mattifying agent, which helps prevent shine. I already have a bottle of this in reserve.

11. Hand Pack Intensive Rejuvenation - Rose And Shea Butter

These are a bit of  quirky item that I buy occasionally in Home Bargains. Made in Korea,  the packet contains two plastic gloves, which are lined with a fabric / paper type material similar to nappy liners or face wipes. The lining is impregnated with a moisturiser which contains shea butter and rose. You pop the gloves on for 20 minutes and your hands are left feeling soft and smooth and delicately fragranced. You only get one treatment out of them but I can usually get two. There only a couple of pounds if that and there really nice for when your hands need a treat.

So that was my February empties, are you doing something similar? let me know in the comments and don't forget to leave me your toner, and eye make up remover recommendations xx

Foodie Friday - Food Review Of The Month

It's hard to believe that the second month of 2013 is finished already - where is this year going? Well February food wise was a bit up and down, I've had good days eating wise and I've had beyond dreadful days eating wise, hence my weight has gone up and down a bit this month But I'm going into March with renewed optimism that I can lose weight if I really try. When you see some of the things that I ate in February it's probably no surprise that my weight went up and down like a yo yo.

First up one of my favourite foods risotto - I'm a real carbs junkie and this sticky rice dish has a special place in my heart. As much as I love cooking it from scratch, sometime you just don't have the time or the inclination, so I always try to have one of these packets on standby. They come in 3 flavours mushroom, tomato and red pepper, and chicken and are available in the bargainistas paradise Home Bargains. Obviously I haven't had the chicken but the other two are really nice, add some boiling water, and a bit of butter and pop them in the microwave for about 12 minutes, then leave to stand for 5 minutes and stir in a bit of cheese or whatever you like. Yummy and quick.I will definitely do a proper risotto recipe on the blog sometime but this is a great standby.

Obviously I had to include a couple of the recipes that I've made for you this month, first up, the amazingly and tasty Pimped Up Sweet Cherry Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Soup.

and then my yummy mushroom soup x

These soups are amazing and so easy to make, a bit like my vegetable soya mince chilli :)

Mmm yummy and a regular staple in LouLouLand, unlike these little bites of heaven which were a one off treat

Yes the new Valentines edition Krispy Kremes - Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Truffle Heart. I only had a half of each naughty me and boy did I pay for it but they were soooo worth it.

Last month I also revisited a recipe that I hadn't made for some time - my hot potato and Quorn saute.

This is a dish that both me and Mummy Lou love and it's so easy to make you can see my recipe here xx

February also includes a day that we nearly all look forward to - Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day :) Here are my lovely gluten free pancakes which we served with lemon, lime, orange, sugar and evaporated milk - nom

Next up something that I am in love with and have been for some time - potato salad - not just any potato salad you understand but Lidl Meadow Fresh Potato Salad With Creme Fraiche.

Instead of being diced this potato salad is made with sliced potatoes, the dressing is creamy, with just a hint of tartness from the onion, gorgeous and truly addictive in my opinion. Something else that is utterly addictive is these babies

For years I'd heard people talking about the wonder of the Percy Pig, but only in the last year or so have they came out with a Veggie Percy. Unfortunately they aren't vegan and they are the only ones in the Percy Pig and friends series that are suitable for vegetarians, but they are amazing and they have this annoying knack of making your mouth water really badly and need more instantaneously!

My final foodie delight of the month was Nigella's No Churn Coffee Ice Cream served with a very naughty chocolate fudge sauce - yummy :)

So they were the highlights of my foodie month, did you eat anything nice last month? let me know in the comments xx