A catch up and BABY LIPS!!!!!

My best friend Charlotte had just returned from an amazing trip to Italy (slighhhtlly envious...) and we definitely needed a well over due catch up.

*Charlotte also has a blog, filled of her cool photography & days out-check it out HERE.

(She is also doing a similar post to me that is live now!)*

REVELATIONS were MADE!

PLANS were PLANNED! (kinda)

SHOPS WERE SHOPPED! (just one shop)

I'm making it sound like it was a lot more exciting than it was; but nevertheless I did have a great time.

We went to our local town, walking through the park, which gave us a lovvveelly chance to catch up. 

Then we went to Starbucks; where I tried for a while to put some money on my Starbucks Card...in order to get a discount (cheapskate for life! Internet high five me if you are too).

After THAT was sorted out, the next port of call was to go into 99p store (I told you I was a cheapskate) to pick up some snacks for the movie night that was happening the next day.(The movie night is actually in a hour as I type this :-).

Then we kinda gravitated towards Superdrug, it's like we had no control over ourselves at all! We trawled around the shop for a bit; and after much deliberation (the most indecisive award goes to...) I decided not to get anything at all. Charlotte was buying some water and as we were queueing up we saw the most marvelous sight: 'Baby Lips'. Check them out Here.

~Baby Lips: Sold by Maybelline. Claim to be like a lip balm but more, and I'm a sucker for lipbalms. The more part is that most of the shades are tinted in one form or another, so you can wear them by themselves for a lovely subtle pop of colour.~

But this wasn't the main reason I was excited for these products, oh no. 

In America Baby Lips have been out for what seems eons, and nearly every American Blogger/Vlogger/Guru has mentioned these bad boys at some point. 

At first I looked into them, but alas- they were not available here. 

And you always want what you cant have, right?!? 

So just imagine my excitement of paramount proportions when they were just sitting before me in all their Baby Glory?

They had a '3 for 2' offer on ( Buy three, only pay for 2) which I believe is still on, so skedaddle down to your nearest Superdrug if you feel so inclined!   

And since we definitely WASN'T going to leave Superdrug without the Baby Lips, we thought we might as well pick up a Barry M Gelly Nail Polish as they were on 2 for £6 (or £3.99 each). I love the Barry M Gelly Nail Polishes as I can actually use them. On a number of occasions I've gone through a whole bottle of nail polish- but having nothing to show for it on my nails.

 If one nail smudges, you have to start all again and the formula can be streaky or bubbly.....

But not the Barry M ones! The Formula is super thick and opaque and if you use a good Nail Dryer, ( I like the Sally Hansen 'Dry Kwik' see HERE.)the polish dries in no time at all! 

So we walked back through the park after our very successful purchases (saving nearly £5!) and I broke the news to Charlotte that I've actually have had a blog for ages. I know, I know- I'm a bad friend. I wasn't actively hiding it, just not telling her. She had a blog too, and I wasn't that confident in mine just then to share it with her. But I bit the bullet, and now I feel and ton better for it. 

We took the pics for this post in the park, so here goes! (Other people must of though we were crazy, taking pictures of us with lip balms!)

   Aww, look how excited I look with all the products! ( 'All' meaning 5...) 

     

     Having to open the packing on a product is one of the hardest things! 

       You just want to keep everything pristine but use the product at the same time ahah.

           

     This is what Charlotte bought, I'm sure she'll speak about what she thinks about these products, as I haven't used them. But the colours look great and I'm sure I'd like them.

                        

I got the Baby Lips in Peach Kiss, which is very natural on my lips. It does have a slight shimmer to it, which looks really sweet. It has a lovely artificial peach smell, that for some reason reminds me of my childhood. I love it.

The next Baby Lips I got was in Cherry Me. Let's all stop and appreciate how darn cute that name is. Cherry me, as in Marry me-right?!? 

Cute names just make me love a product even more. This one smells like my favourite flavour Chupa Chups lollipop.... in Cherry (duh). 

I can't give a well-rounded evaluation of these as of now, but if I really love them/hate them; chances are you'll be hearing from me.One thing I had noticed is that even though they can feel really moisturising at first, they dry down and leave your lips a little dry. I don't know whether that's just me, but I'll have to give it a couple more uses before I can back this up.

The Barry M nail colour is so amazing. It looks more pastel in the picture, but on the nails it is definately a BRIGHT highlighter pink. I do own another Barry M Nail Gelly, and its a dark purple-so I wanted something bright for the summer. I definitely got that! The formula is exactly what I expected, it gives you a high shine  look, said to be likened to going to the salon.

 I'm wearing it on my nails as I type! (nice visual for you there).

What I've learnt from this post: 

• That I'm a major cheapskate
• That I HATE opening products for the first time
• That I'm kinda confident in my blog now (otherwise I wouldn't have told Charlotte)
• That artificial peach reminds me of my childhood
• That I've used 'that' and '(brackets)' waaayyy too much in this post :-)

Here's a picture of the beautiful Charlotte, if you care to see. 

(Internet high five for the cheapskate thing earlier! *bam*)

*Sparkle*---

Rachel   xxx

Say Hello To Yellow.

I recently bought a new nail polish. And I can safely say that I'm maybe *this* much obsessed.

Its this beautiful vibrant banana yellow colour, that somehow manages to not make the wearer look like they have a disease and instead looks beautifully summery.

Its not pale enough to be a pastel, yet not bright enough to be a neon. It strikes that difficult balance and the result is truly unique. I can't think of the last time I saw someone wear a nail polish similar to this.

'What better time to break out of your nail polish rut and try something new than summer!' 

Was my justification, swinging my Debenhams carrier bag through the shopping center: a pricey/bright/slightly scary nail polish secretly nestled inside.

It's a Butter London nail polish in the shade 'Cheeky Chops': if you want to get your desperately plain fingertips on it.

This was my first Butter London polish, and I must say that I am quite impressed with the smooth and easy application... and the opacity in one coat! 

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen you heard right (which I was not expecting, espically being such a light colour)

So yes. I'm not sure whether this is a summer fling, but I'll let you know if in the colder months I'm still reaching for my banana nail fix. 

*Sparkle*---

Rachel   xxx

-------------------------------------EDIT: 30/7/13-------------------------------------

Barry M currently have a promotion where if you spend £6 on selected Barry M, you receive a free limited edition nail paint. There are two colours to choose from: Pink and Yellow (quite similar to the one I reviewed up there!) 

If you want to dabble in the world of yellow polishes but are not prepared to fork out circa £12, this offer may be a good place to start! Link HERE

My summer makeup routine!!

Since my most popular post is 'My everyday makeup routine', I thought I would do another (giving people want they want and all... Says the girl with a 0 follower count haha). Of course I couldn't do another post exactly the same, I wanted to mix it up; and since the word on everyone's (and by everyone's I mean the part of England that I live in) is summer, I had the amazingly amazing idea to do a summer everyday makeup routine; the emphasis being on the summer part.  Genius, right?!  

  

As I'm pretty sure most people don't wear the same makeup in the dead of winter as they wear on a glorious summer day. ( Like Today in England, btw. Highs for 27 Degrees- yes please. ~ A short poem by Rachel Reid :-)

On most summer days I don't wear any makeup up at all, but now and again I tend to a have penchant for wearing a bright lipstick with no other makeup. Par example: today!

We just got a family iPad, so I apologise if I'm a bit snap-happy. It's so much easier than having to take  pics on your camera, download to your computer, edit etc. Now my photos will be as candid as they come!!!

Anyway, I digress. Yet again. But some days in the summer you might be going to a special event… (E.g: summer in the city- I'll be there!) and you just feel a little bit too naked with next to no makeup on. So I present to you: 

My summer makeup routine!!

Finally, you all gasp in unison. 

~First I take the Revlon PhotoReady 'Compact Makeup' (my shade is 200 beige, if you care to know and it's a really good match, especially since I couldn't swatch it in the store!) It has a 'liquefying screen' which, according to Revlon 

"The cream makeup instantly liquefies for complete coverage and superior blend-ability. Lightweight powder finish. Perfected airbrushed skin in any light". I wasn't expecting it to be that good when I bought it, as it was a spur of the moment kinda thaanng; and although I was familiar with the 'photo ready' line- I hadn't heard anything about this particular product online.

 However, it was super easy to apply, with the sponge and mirror that it comes with (perfect for on the go, or even a festival!) and true to claims blends really nicely and looks soooo natural. One thing I can't stand is feeling self conscious because you are wearing your makeup too noticeably .

~Next to keep the makeup in place for longer, and mattify the skin in those hot (hopefully!) summer months, I use the Collection 2000 ( now asking to be called simply...'Collection'. Ohhh-err. Get them :-) Pressed Powder in 15 Warm Bronze. It also leaves a nice smooth feeling on the skin ( I'm guessing that's because its enriched with silk!)

~After that I curl my lashes with some random lash curlers and apply the Relvon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara in  Blackest Black. I wouldn't call it 'Volume' per say; its more Lengthening and  definition, but still a great product all the same. 

I don't know about you, but with all this 'PhotoReady' in there I just might have to wear it to Summer in the City, since I'll *hopefully* be photographed with some Youtuber's and  want to look my best! I give you permission to steal this look :-). ( Although it isn't groundbreaking, what am I saying?!?)

~To finish,   I apply the Relvon Lip Butter (excess use of Relvon not intended.) in the shade 010 Raspberry Pie.(what I'm wearing in the earlier picture). It's a really pretty colour; but its light and not drying on your lips, as conventional lipsticks have a tendency to do. You can sheer it out, or apply a couple of layers and have a really statement lip. I love its versatility!   

Or... It's just the staple we all know and love Vaseline. Sometimes a girl needs a bit of Mosturizing 'ya know?

Sooo that's it! I apologise about their being no promised Monthly favorites, time just snuck away from me as it has a habit of doing recently. I lost the list with all the things I wanted to include, so that's my totally acceptable reasoning. Right?!?

 I'm so drained from school and can't wait for the hols (2 weeks left!!) I have a list as long as my arm of things to do... whether that happens or not, we'll see ( we all know what happened the last time I promised to do something :-) 

I feel that this post has been really long and I really need to try my hand at condensing. But writing this exact sentance is just making it longer so.....

*Sparkle*---

Rachel   xxx

MUA Artiste Palette

I've been doing a lot of advice-y type posts, so I thought it was time to switch it up!

I'm going to review a multi-use palette by a brand called MUA, which- as far as I know, is a brand only available at SUPERDRUG stores.

The palette contains 6 eye shadows, 2 blushers, 1 bronzer and 1 highlighter.

The eyeshadows have a 'marbled effect', evident in the pictures.This means that the shadows have speckles of a complementing colour in there.

 I don't think it makes much difference to the overall colour on the lids, but it does look very pretty in the pan, and I'm all over pretty!

MUA do a whole range of affordable, generally great quality makeup pieces for the price.

I was kindly gifted this palette by Amy, over at The Camera's Lying Blog and The Camera Lies Beauty

via a twitter giveaway, of which I was lucky enough to have won! :-)

Thank you, Amy! *Does Girl Guides Thank you clap, brownie points if you know what I mean!*
'thank you
       thank you
              thank you
                     thank you!'

After a verrrryyyyy long day, I came home to this little palette in the mail, along with a handwritten note which I thought was so sweet of Amy!

Being a fiend of all things shiny and colourful, I had to swatch the colours right away; no matter how tired I was at the time.

I was quite impressed, especially as this palette retails for £4 in Superdrug, I believe.

The matt bronzer is perfect for my skin tone (and I suspect it would be for most skin tones, its that kind of versatile product we all love!)

 'Chocolate' would have to be my favorite colour, (5th colour in from the left)  and I usallly use it as an all over lid colour; as it is neutral yet provides a subtle shimmer. 

Blush/bronzer/highligher from the second row.

left-right: Pink Sparkle; Primrose, Bronzed, Shimmer Kiss

                    Eye shadows from the first row.

        bottom-top: Pistachio, Mocca, Ice,Grape,Chocolate,Cookie.

(Informative little side note:

Funnily enough, I was eyeing up this palette a few weeks prior, and decided to maybe get it later on: I obviously didn't have to..)

Hope that was interesting, not really sure how to do these type of things haha.

*Sparkle*---

Rachel   xxx

I'm beautiful. And so are you.

Beauty.

The source of lust, love, envy, self-deprecation, low-self esteem, vanity, and discrimination among many other things.

But what is it? 

The question that many people aren't asking.

They assume that being 'beautiful' is what they see on their magazine cover: the perfect airbrushed skin, pristine hair & makeup and an almost non-existent waist.

Those people aren't real. They are commericalized, and fake.

And more importantly, they give women (and men too) an unobtainable goal to work towards, leading industries such as cosmetics, gyms, and clothing to boom.

If you can't fit into that pair of jeans, 

If you can't seem to get rid of that acne no matter how many different creams you use, 

If you aren't allowed to wear makeup

If you don't have a flat stomach,

If you don't have the drive to work out to have the muscles that all the girls 'swoon over'
Then  you don't seem like you are good enough.

I see so-oh-so many girls at my secondary school: orange from fake-tan, their face caked with makeup: crowding around the bathroom mirror to apply yet MORE concealer.

I guess that's okay, if it makes you happy, but I doubt it does. 

Self confidence comes from within, not from a tube; and no matter how you try to kid yourself that you are confident because no one else can see your external flaws, you still know that they're there. 

You'll know that you have that spot under all the concealer, 

and even deeper; you know that you need to learn algebra, work on your organization skills, think before you speak...

What I'm saying is, all of these vain things are just cover up's NOT solutions.... if you aren't comfortable with yourself.

Work to fix those things that you are unsure about, not cover them up. Obvious right *dripping with sarcasm*

So instead of skipping dinner in an attempt to be slimmer, or straightening your hair because you can't stand your curls, sit down; and think. 

Think about who you are, what you have achieved, and if you are proud of yourself, your choices, your character.

And if you are not, endeavor to change it. 

Write down some of  your more achievable character goals on a sticky note, and stick it somewhere you'll be able to see it every day. Then, hopefully you can accomplish these things, causing your confidence to increase, and you won't have to hide who you are. 

'Confidence is more beautiful to see than anything else.'

And if you want to lose a bit of weight, wear a bit of eyeliner, lift some weights when you ARE confident with yourself; its fine because you know that you'll be just as contented with these things, as you were before, as you are not hiding behind them.

 I think that I'm beautiful.
            And I think you are beautiful too. 

                                                            Now its time for you to think the same.

*Sparkle*---

Rachel   xxx