JINNYlash Extensions Promotion - 50% OFF - ACT FAST!

There is nothing that brightens up and makes your eyes sexier than lash extensions.  I just learned about this promotion from JINNYlash about 10 minutes ago and had to blog about it to share it with you all.

http://www.shop.jinnyrocks.com/index.php/gift-vouchers/special-voucher.html

 Act fast as I heard that appointments are very limited now! 

Booking: 020 7495 8385/8584

For locations, click here

I can't wait to get mine done!

PRODUCT ALERT/RECALL: Poundland Find: Stila spf 30 oil-free sheer color tined moisturizer

This is not an official recall from the company, it is my way of trying to alert you all out there that there is an old product on the market being sold by the giants at Poundland.

Just found out that this product that was being sold at Poundland is 8 years old. The notice came from Stila directly, so if you were like me and thousands of others, you should not use this product.  I had no adverse effect, but that still doesn't excuse the fact that it hasn't been manufactured now for 8 years old.

Poundland has completely lost my trust, and I find this to be a very poor decision on Poundland's part to sell something that is cream based and 8 years old.

 Here is my previous post so you can see what the product actually looks like
Tokki and Oliver: Poundland Find: Stila spf 30 oil-free sheer color tined moisturizer

 If you bought this, please discard immediately and pass on this information asap.

Summer Failure: Garnier Bodytonic Hydrating Lotion

Summer is officially over here in the U.K., and I'm spending today putting away my holiday/summer clothes and busting out my winter gear. It's a sad day obviously. I was also cleaning up my desk area and wanted to get rid of any products that just didn't work for me. I realised that I was extremely careful about what I purchased this summer and I found that I didn't have a lot of products that failed me, except for one.

Before I continue with the review of the Garnier bodytonic with seaweed extract hydrating firming lotion, I need to say specify my skin condition right now. If this is not the type of skin you are dealing with then this review doesn't apply to you. I'm at the age where my pores are starting to show and where dry skin is now visible. I didn't have this problem 2 years ago, but now in my early 30's, this is happening to me.  This is the tale of the aging woman, but I can cry about it or move on, and I choose to be graceful about it (or at least try lol).

I needed a cheap body lotion that I could apply everyday and when I saw the word "FIRMING" in bold black letters on the front, I figured this is the lotion for me.  I did zero research on it prior to purchasing it (big mistake).  I grabbed the bottle at Boots as it was 30% off, and I brought this baby home.

You see what I mean? FIRMING in bold black letters against a yellow and soft toned bottle. Marketing people are so clever.....a little too clever for my liking sometimes.  Here are my pros and cons for this product. Let me start with pros as they are few.

PROS:
1.  400ml bottle for less than £5
2. Squeezable bottle for easy access to product
3.  Available at your local Boots, Superdrug, or supermarket
4.  Non-greasy

CONS:
I only have one "con", but it's a big one and therefore has caused me to put this product in the failure department.

This lotion is non greasy and has a gel-creme texture.  It leans more like a gel than a creme.  I don't have a problem with that, but because it is a gel, it only gives the skin a cosmetic sheen, but it DOES NOT give the feeling of smoother skin.  When your skin is dry and starts to crack and lines appear, lotion is suppose to soak into the skin and make it supple making it appear less cracked.  This gel only glides over the top of the skin and does not go into it to fix the dryness.  In fact, it felt very odd on my skin and left my hands smelling like cheap dish detergent.  This lotion does not fix the root of the problem, but only as a quick fix.  Sure they didn't lie to us on the bottle, because the gel consistency reflects the light to make it appear smoother, but it is deceptive because if you really read into their claim, it says "smoother looking skin" not smoother skin by the touch, which in essence is what a lotion is suppose to do.  it also says on the bottle that it "smoothes skin surface", well it sure did just that and smooth the skin surface but a proper lotion needs to do more than just the surface.  I definitely was sold on this product by deceptive marketing, and I won't make that same mistake twice.

I hope that I don't sound too bitter in this review as this is what beauty blogging is all about...trying new products despite some of them being failures, but I can't keep quiet at the marketing tactics that I see all over the place by big companies.  It's not right despite being perfectly "legal".  I'm not saying that this product isn't perfect for someone else who's skin may not need as much moisturising as mine, but I urge every consumer to read carefully and read between the lines.  It will definitely save you a pretty penny along the way :)

Have you tried this product? What was your take on it?

My Holiday Haul with Chanel & Guerlain

Hello lovely people!
It has only been a week later since my last post, but I feel like a completely different person.  Gibraltar was sunny and beautiful. Other than the jellyfish infestation, I managed to get a good amount of beach time in.  Going up the rock was an amazing (and slightly scary) feeling and being so close to the monkeys was an amazing experience in itself.  I could see Africa so vividly as well! The pillars of Hercules is now my new home away from home. I can't wait to return.

I have to admit once again how scared I was driving up this rock and being so high up lol.
The other great part about Gibraltar happens to be the cosmetic & perfumes shops on Main street.  What a great place for an avid beauty collector like myself :)

So onto the bounty! I went a little Chanel crazy, and in my defense if it wasn't 20% off with an additional 10% off on top, I probably wouldn't have splurged like this. But I'm pretty happy with my stash.

Guerlain - "Sun In The City" golden highlighter (on sale for £37)
Chanel - illusions d'ombress in mirifique & epatant (£17.50 each)
Chanel - nail colour in coco blue, beige, pearl drop and mat top coat (£13.05 each)

  I'm going to go a little pic heavy on the Guerlain highlighter, because it DESERVES it. It is a massive highlighter.  Just as they have done in the past, Guerlain really puts a lot of attention and detail into the hetch marks.  I hope my photos will show you the ripples within the compact. I have yet to see anyone do a highlighter like this, and despite hesitating at the £37 price tag, I am so happy to have this in my collection.  Oh and it doesn't hurt that pigmentation on this is absolutely amazing.
  
 
 

  

You guys all know my deep love for these Chanel cream shadows. The illusions d'ombress are all amazing.  I bought Mirifique after seeing someone wear it as an eyeliner.  This has kicked MAC's blacktrack's butt and has taken it's place in my heart. The shimmer of this cream shadow really gives a unique look to the plain black gel eyeliner.  I absolutely love this, and I plan on re-purchasing this over and over again. Please Chanel, do not discontinue this!

I was given Epatant previously by a friend, but for some reason the product was defected. I'm not sure what it was but the scent was off, so I ended up just swatching it for the blog and that was it. I knew I had to replace this as it really is an amazing colour for the fall.  The shimmery army green/pewter shade is the type of unique shade that Chanel produces.   

Other than the Mat top coat, these three are nearly impossible for me to get, so you could imagine how quickly I snatched these up when I saw them. You will all definitely see a NOTD with these soon.

 

Really didn't expect to see a pink shimmer to Beige, what a pleasant surprise

And the most exciting purchase from my holiday was actually a complete splurge. I guess this is what I was saving my money for the last 3 months :)

Love the silver & black enamel frame and big lenses.  I suffer from a low (non existent) nose bridge, so buying sunglasses is always a struggle ( just like buying jeans). So, when I find a pair that fits me and actually looks good, I have to buy it. DH wonders why it has to be so expensive however lol Men....they just don't get it, do they?

 

I don't normally like flowers, but I don't mind the Chanel flower at all lol

So yes, that is my haul. Slightly broke, but at least I have some amazing goodies that will keep me busy for a while.  I actually came back from my holiday and jumped on ebay and purchased a load of topshop earrings. I don't know what it is about their earrings, but I just love them. So fun and funky fresh!


I know the next time I go back to Gibraltar, I will be bringing back perfumes as well. I think I found my beauty mecca :)

On Holiday

Anyone who blogs (especially beauty blogging) knows how demanding it is to "feed" a blog. I have been struggling for over 7 months now on finding that balance between working and having a social life vs. blogging.  I've been  juggling 1.5 jobs, a husband, a demanding and needy dog, and of course my own internal struggle on trying to find a career that suits me. All of this has caused me to turn into a recluse and well frankly...feeling a bit down.  However, there is hope!  Lately, I've been very inspired by some new people that I have met in my life and their encouraging words and amazing outlook on life has really made me see the (sorry for the upcoming cliche statement) bright-side of life.

I am going away on Holiday for the next week and when I return, there is going to be an even busier-me.  I don't know what that means for this blog, but when I do find spare time, I will invest it here.  Especially now that I will be taking a course in nail and makeup artistry and hope that you all will join me.

I also have some lovely products recently purchased that I am loving! So stay tuned, but for now I must bounce as I have a lunch double-date xxxx

Hope you are all well and buying loads of beautiful things ;)

See you all in a week!