Revlon Colorstay Nail Polish in 080 Delicious

This is the first that I have used a Revlon Colorstay nail polish, so I had to do my online research to learn about this new Revlon line.  I also wanted to know what was so special that it merited a £7.99 price tag.

Revlon claims:

"Revlon® Colorstay Nail Enamel with Shade Lock Technology™ - for colour that stays true throughout the life of your manicure.  Inspired by salon gel nails - super high shine and chip-resistant colour.
Wide angle brush for a smooth, even, streak free application"

I completely agree that this is a better polish range, not sure if it's £7.99 better, but definitely better.

* High shine polish - check

* Amazing wide angle brush for smooth, even, streak free application - check

* One coat opaqueness - check

Delicious is a beautiful red/orange polish that is perfect for this upcoming season.

As far as long lasting, that is debatable.  Because of the slightly thick gel like formula, the dry time on this is very long.  

So I don't think I will buy another Revlon colorstay unless I found it at pound land or something, but not at 7.99.  What about you? Have you tried these?

MERRY CHRISTMAS HAUL 2011: Chanel, Rimmel, Revlon, H&M, Armani and more

HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVELIES <3

Before I start my haul post, I just want to wish everyone a memorable, safe, and happy holiday season and all the best for a successful, peaceful, and joyous 2012! 

Well only after 6 hours of sleep, I was awaken by the eagerness of everyone to open presents.  I'm feeling a bit under the weather. I thought I was going to be able to fight it off, but I can feel my immune system being attacked.  So loaded up with vitamin c and my daily morning coffee, I joined the party an opened pressies.  Of course, I am always nervous that someone won't like a present I bought them, but that's the risk everyone takes.  I said my obligatory "thank yous" and smiled.  This is after all my first Christmas here in England, and first Christmas with my husband's side of the family :)

So let me stop being a grouch, and show you all what I got this Christmas.

This is a combination of presents that Santa brought me this year (aka myself and my husband). 

 

This powder was a total impulse buy.  The nude/pink powder with gorgeous sporadic glitter sparkle won my festive heart.   I don't regret buying this at all, but the reason why it is an impulse is because I haven't even made a dent in the La Mer Powder that I purchased last year.  At least this powder is definitely different with it's festive sparkle.

 

Another total impulse buy as it was a ridiculous price off of ebay, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been able to afford this beauty this year.

Chanel blush in Tweed Pink

 

Just look at this beauty, what girl won't be won over by this?

 

Speaking of impulses, this is another impulse purchase for Christmas.

I guess that's a good enough excuse right?  I actually tried this on at Selfridges a few days ago, but the customer service was so poor that I refused to buy it.  I'm really glad that I did pass it up, because I found it on ebay for £6 cheaper and that's including postage too :)

Here is my season appropriate

Giorgio Armani lasting satin lip color in 400.

This is my new favourite red!

Packaging is superb and if you are a sucker for packaging like me, then this magnetic snap unconventionally shaped lipstick case will draw you in, that's of course if the gorgeous holiday red doesn't.

That's all for the high end products lol.

I wasn't kidding when I said that I have a budget :)

But the next items I got for Christmas were well worth every penny (all 100 of them!)

Welcome my latest Poundland haul

Rimmel blush in Summer Glow and

Revlon Colorstay Mineral lipglaze in Neverending Nude

 

I can't remember right now which blog I read that raved about this, but when I saw this at Poundland I had to snatch this up.  After I try this, if it's as good as bloggers say it is, I'm going back to stock up as gifts.  The packaging is really flimsy, but I'm going to try to ignore that and focus on the actual product.

 

Very eager to try my Poundland items just as much as my new Chanel and Armani goodies!

OK, so how is a girl suppose to resist all these sales?

I hopped into H&M just for shits and giggles, and really almost walked out with 20+ items, but I really remained true to my budget and purchased only 2 items.

Both black garments - BIG SHOCK!

Yes, I still haven't embraced the concept of colour into my wardrobe.

When will I ever learn?

 

So what did DH buy me? Well my birthday is 10 days to go, so I'm going on an overnight spa break with a friend! I really can't wait for this.  I'm going to enjoy my 32th birthday in the lap of luxury :p

But he still wanted me to have something to open up on Christmas morning with everyone else, so he got me a pair of MUJI slippers.  I didn't photograph them, because they looked a bit fugly but my striped grey slippers are super comfy and I love them!! Plus I really needed them too.

Then he bought me a Bodum french press.  I think he got tired of hearing me say how I was sick of the preferred choice of coffee here (instant coffee).  I don't mind instant coffee, but I prefer espresso based drinks, so now with my awesome french press and my milk frother (coming in the mail), I will be able to make my cappuccinos, lattes, and mocha. BIG CHEER!!!!

 

It's a nice french press, apparently Bodum is known for their french presses or at least that's what I've been told.   I love it none the less.

***edit***

I also went to Boots and bought the Starbucks hamper for £15 (50% off) which included: 2 Starbucks mugs, Christmas blend grinded coffee, 2 gold chocolate coins (huge), and a big bottle of caramel syrup.  I am so ready to make my caramel lattes!

So that is my Christmas 2011 haul.  I've been super blessed considering the lack of work/income, but I'm just glad as always to be able to spend it the people that I love.  I think that's my #1 Christmas gift :)

I'd love to find out what you got this year! Leave me a comment, link, what have you...

show n tell time ladies, let me know what you got that you absolutely loved (or didn't love).

Well I'm off to watch silly movies, drink champagne, and stuff my face with so much Turkey that I won't want to eat Turkey for another year :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!

A mini haul and great cheap finds

I had to go into town for an errand, so I popped into my usual shops.  I spent a total of £2.25 and came home with some really awesome finds!

 

Topman Ring - £1

Revlon nail polish in Galaxy - £1

Lavender cuticle remover - 25p

 

Galaxy looks so gorgeous!

 

I'm so glad to have picked this up at Poundland.

They didn't have another one, otherwise I would have picked up several as gifts.

 

I love these rings from Topman.

They are just so unique, and despite being slightly big, I am still going to rock them!

 

So not too bad for £2.25 right?

Don't shy away from Topman or Poundland ladies, there are some cheap gems to be found :)

I'll be doing a manicure with Galaxy tonight, and hopefully will have a NOTD post tomorrow for you all.  Also, there is 4 hours left of my Christmas blog giveaway, so please enter if you are in the UK.

My October Swaps Reveal

I won't be swapping anymore this month, so I am revealing this month's swaps a little earlier.

This month has been slow, because the postage cost was starting to really start to add up.

But I'm super excited about my October swaps!

 

This month, I got:

Dior - Eye shadow brush

This is one of the two brushes from Dior that I recently swapped for.  I was eager to swap for these, not because I didn't have any brushes, but because this will complete my Dior brush set :) What I don't like about these brushes is that the logo rubs off, but then again I believe they all do. The brush is pretty densely packed, so it picks up colour well and doesn't have too much all out.

Dior - Lip brush

This retractable lip brush is very handy for sure.  I like that it is retractable, because the worst thing is to have a lip brush and then have to deal with the residue lipstick on the brush, especially if you want to keep it in your purse/makeup bag.

Fresh - Creme Ancienne face cream (deluxe sample)

Lightly scented and very soothing.

I love how this feels on my face right now, especially with the weather getting colder and dryer.

Illamasqua - Stagnate nail polish

This is a lovely formula, like all other Illamasqua nail polishes

If you like greyed out mauves, then this is for you!

Garnier BB Cream in Medium

This is probably my most excited swap of this month.

I didn't want to spend a tenner to try this haha, but it is so worth that and more.

This BB Cream is a lot more dewy and definitely more moisturizing than the other BB Creams that I have tried.  There isn't much coverage, but it is by far the most light reflecting and doesn't make your face look super pale either.

Banter of a Bored Beauty Blogger

Hi lovely people.

I've been on the go the last 2 days, so I haven't been able to blog, let alone even go online.  So now that I'm done what I had to do, I'm trying to wind down and finding myself extremely bored lol. When I get bored, I talk non stop lol!!

I'm going to warn you that this is one of those posts where I'm just going to ramble, mumble, groan, moan about everything and anything that has stuck out to me in the last couple of days that I've been offline and away from my blog. haha. So if you aren't interested, click below to another post :)

Ok so I warned you :p

I was flipping through the free Superdrug beauty magazine (highly recommend picking it up), I noticed this......

 

Ok now seriously people.  For heaven's sake. What in the world does this little boy know anything about perfume? let alone nail polish, heck let alone music.  I'm sorry but this is marketing at it's worst, and this is why I don't trust the pop music industry, because they want to pawn off anyone onto different industries just to make money.  HAHA. Don't know why this one got me all fired up, but I'm sorry I won't be taking any fashion leads from the little boy or his team.

To balance my complete shock from that, I did happen to see something that was interesting.

The new Sleek collection - nude, demure, could be worth a look.

 

What do you all think of this?

 

And last but definitely not least, Superdrugs is having a promotion already on the BB Cream.  For those who have never used BB Cream, this BB Cream by Garnier is slightly different than the Asian BB Creams.  It is fresh/fruity scented, and has a more prevalent glow/shimmer.  I personally really like this.  If you have £8 to swing, try this BB Cream, before investing the more expensive ones. 

And you get an extra 25 bonus points too :)

Then I popped over to Boots as per usual (and 2 hrs later popped out lol), and saw this Revlon nail polish.  It looks like a wannabe Deborah Lippmann Bad Romance.  I use that term wannabe in a nice way however :)  Black base with purple hexagon and small to large glitters.  NICE!  Here is the gorgeous Facets of Fuschia. 

 

Just found out that there is a £2 off Revlon right now, so with the 3 for 2 sale making it a much better bargain (£6.49 rrp) that just made my mind up! I just wonder why I didn't get one last time I was there. Strange. I must go back in and investigate!!! :)

I also got the new Burberry Body perfume in the mail today.  It isn't the usual scent I go for, but it didn't "offend" my nose either.  It is a delicate, but warm scent.  I usually like fresh, slightly fruity/citrusy, "blue/water" based scents, but this one is quite understated sexy.

 

If you want a sample, you can go to their facebook page and follow the instructions there.

You can also go to the lancome facebook page and follow the instructions to pick up a free Lancome Visionnaire serum as well.  I had mine sent to my iphone, and showed it to them at the counter and it worked just as well.

Also on the 21st of this month, stop by your local YSL counter.  They will be giving out a sample of their mascara. I will be going to my local Debenhams to pick mine up and to also try out the Black Collection.  

YSL - Black Collection Nail Vernis

While I was at Debenhams recently with a friend, she picked up the Lancome #29 nail polish.  It is part of their new range.  I am not going to bother to do a whole post on it, but of course I tested it out.  I did the usual base coat, 2 coats, and seche vite topcoat. The gorgeous copper flecks inside the inky black base was stunning on the display.  My friend who usually doesn't buy expensive polish, fell in love and bought it immediately.  I'm here to tell you all to SAVE YOUR MONEY.  It is gorgeous to look at, but on your nails it is just a bumpy plain black polish.  You can barely see the golden/copper flakes (even in direct sunlight).  So I felt it was a completely waste of money.  

Speaking of "freebies", you all know I'm a sucker for free goods, but lately I've been obsessed with this extreme couponing lol.  

I'm not as into it as some are, but I can feel that rush of getting freebies, and none better to learn from then the people from my new favourite website

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com

 Check out their beauty deal page, there are a lot of freebies going on right now.

Speaking of freebies. What is up with the magazines this month?? There isn't anything other than a tote bag for free this month. What gives?  I feel completely obsessed with my monthly magazine freebies, that I feel so empty without them this month.

And here's Oscar to tell you all he missed you guys xx

woof woof!

OK if you guys made it to the end of this post, then you are a trooper and you actually like reading what I write LOL

Write the words "GIVE ME MORE T&O" in my comments below, and I will pick one person to receive a mystery surprise package during the upcoming holidays :) xx

Wah Nails Experiment: Glitter Gradient Nails

You won't even believe what I did today.  While I tried to do some home improvements, and put up some hooks on the door, I got super glue all over my left hand.  The same hand that I use to take NOTD photos with.  The same hand that I've been having issues with dry patches of skin too.  So yeah...um...super glue all over my hands, wrists, and thumb.  Not a good look lol.  I spent all day trying to get it off of me, but instead it just made my hands super sore, and just white and patchy.  But with some acetone, and warm water and soap, after a few hours I finally got it off of me.  What a pain in the a$$!


Well, I did manage to get my first try of the Wah nails.  I am starting easy.  I have no tools or anything.  I only have nail polish, so I wanted to start with something that didn't need any tooks.  The glitter gradient nails are gorgeous.  I'm absolutely loving this.  I will however do some updated versions later, but for now...here is my first attempt at gradient nails.

Nail polishes used in the order I used them.

Essie's Fill the Gap

I used this as the basecoat

Once it dried, then I applied two layers of

Models Own - Grey Day

One that dried, I painted a rough french manicure with

Leighton Denny's Diamond Diva 

After that has dried, I applied 

Paul & Joe #34 (medium size glitter polish)

I applied this only to the middle of the nail.

This will help blend the rough lines of the french manicure

Then I applied over the full nail

Revlon's Belle

You want to use a polish that has big and small glitters to finish off the gradient look.

And finally finished off with

Seche Top Coat

I think next time I'm going to use a muted pale blue, or black to make the silver nail polish stick out.  I also regret not using Deborah Lippmann's Today is a Fairytale to finish off the look.  Nothing says Diamonds than a nail polish that has diamond dust in it :)

I hope you enjoy this look! 

Shopping Trip Photos

I had to meet up with someone today in town, so I made the best out of it by stopping by all my usual places; Boots, Superdrugs, TJ Hughes (everything is now 40% off, but not much left), TK Maxx (UK's TJ Maxx), and charity shopping.  I saw some really good deals, so I'm here to show you all.  I did do a little hauling (but of course!) but the sun is down now and so I'll have to post them up tomorrow when I can get some good shots xx

Anyways, let me show you guys some of the deals I saw that were really good, so if you like them, I'd check out your local stores.

First up,

At Debenhams,

A discounted (further discounted) 

MAVALA Nail polish set

That's not bad for 9 Mavala nail polishes

Also at Debenhams 

CIATE NAIL POLISH TRIO SET

There were a bunch of these black leather tri-folded makeup bags

and when I opened them, they came with 3 Ciate polishes.

Ciate retails for £9 each,

so for a set of 3 Ciate's for only £8.52 was a bargain.

Buy one get 2 free basically, plus a black makeup bag.

I really wanted to splurge and buy this set, because I absolutely LOVE Twilight (the middle polish), but I restrained myself.  It is the same likeness as Butter London's Wallis, Dior's Czarina Gold, and D&G Stromboli.  It is a beautiful black polish with gold flakie/glitters.

Swwoonnnn....but I should restraint since there were roughly 20 in the clearance section. So I'm testing my luck to see if they will decrease in price a little more :)

 Then at TK Maxx,

There was a 

Revlon polish set

for £7.99, it had inside: Lunar, Star, Belle, and one last purple creme polish that I couldn't make out.

Next stop...Superdrugs!

I never noticed this brand, but I have to show you all

2 True Nail Polish

2true is pretty inexpensive at £1.99 each or 3 for £5.

They had your typical range of colours like most chemist brands, BUT...

and I mean BUT...

#40 and #16 were DIVINE!

40 is a gritty steel colour with a mixture of microglitter in a rainbow shade.

It's hard to tell in the photo, but it was quite interesting 

and

#16 was just this beautiful jewel-tone purple/blue slightly duochrome shimmer polish.

I was on a time crunch, but I think I'm definitely going back for them.

Also at Superdrugs was the new Gosh nail polish collection.

I wasn't really keen on them, because they were all straight creme, but the colours are very nice for this fall.

Then my tired behind went to Boots, AND...

it's FINALLY here!!!!

 Garnier BB Cream.

RRP £9.99 

I'm surprised there wasn't a promo for that, I'll wait and see if they will do a special on this soon, since it is a big craze and it is the UK's first BB Cream to hit the market.

So that is my beauty picks for today.  I hope you guys like it, and I highly recommend all the products that I photographed.  

Tomorrow, I'll definitely take photos of my haul 

until then....Happy shopping xx

MAC Seriously Hip Comparison Swatches

I'm a creature of habit.

I tend to love certain nail shades, and this one fits the bill.

MAC Seriously Hip was given to me recently by a friend, and I realised

I love this polish, because well heck, I had 2 others just like it!

It's a black base with gold shimmer and creates this awesome muddy green sheen.

I absolutely LOVE this colour.

Today I have 2 similar to the MAC and one that is in the same family

L-R

D&G Stromboli

MAC Seriously Hip

Revlon Dark Pleasures

Dior Czarina Gold

 

 

 

The Revlon does not have the amount of glitter and shimmer as the others, but it is definitely is within the same family.

Out of the 4, 

D&G Stromboli was the closest to MAC Seriously Hip.

Dior didn't have as much of the dark green/black base, but in terms of 

glitter and shimmer, the Dior and D&G had the most.

I did a swatch, but my hands are in no shape of photographing at the moment.

I've been doing a lot of moving boxes, organising, and other hard labor things and my

hands are rough! So I'll do a NOTD separately one day.

I will say that the MAC Seriously Hip had the best drying power and was very easy and

smooth to apply when compared to the others.  So this one is seriously now my favourite out of the 4 polishes.  I need to pay more attention to the MAC nail polishes, I feel like they don't get enough coverage like the other brands, but they seriously did a great job with this polish.  Just gorgeous!