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!!!!!

Color Burst Nail Art

I find so much inspiration these days online, and this nail art was inspired by a blogger, but I can't remember who.  I'm always surfing through a sea of blogs late at night...it'll come to me eventually ( I hope).  Well this is my nail art and it is my first go, it was quite easy and I love how it came out.

Quite a colourful manicure considering I'm a dark vampy/black nail polish girl, but blame it on the hot weather we're having here. 

I love the blobs of colour, reminds me a lot of abstract expressionism.

And no I'm not comparing myself to Jackson Pollack LOL

just saying, I like it's very thrown together.

Colours I used and the order I used them:

Essie - Fill the gap (base coat)

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme wear - White on (white)

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro - Midnight Blue (dark blue)

Essie - Lolipop (red)

Chanel - Pulsion (pink)

George - Buttercup Shine (yellow)

Nails Inc - Electric Eel (teal)

Essie - Matte About You (matte topcoat)

TJ Hughes Closing Down Haul - W7, Rimmel, Revlon

I tell you...I never thought I'd go into TJ Hughes, something about that store reminded me of my elderly in laws hahaha. No disrespect of course...but I'm glad I did go in, because they are closing down.  I reckon the people there thought "who is this mad woman rummaging through all those clearance bins so frantically" lol.  Well it's like a treasure hunt isn't it? 

Here are my really really cheap finds.

W7 mega matte lip - £1.40

Revlon Dark Pleasures nail polish in talk dirty (3x at £0.69)

Rimmel Lasting Finish Pro - £0.99

I didn't see any swatches of this before buying, but the black base and gold shimmer reminded me of China Glaze wagon trail, Dior czarina gold, and d&g stromboli.

I was instantly drawn to it so I picked up 3 for gifts and for myself.

W7 Matte Lipstick

 Sorry I don't have the name of this, the clear film that was holding this together had the name, and without knowing I chucked it in the bin, but this photo is a pretty true representation of what the colour is in real life.

I usually don't like matte lipsticks, but since this applies like a gloss first, it didn't dry out my lips, and I think the colour suits me.

And although the Rimmel shimmery dark blue isn't new to my collection, I was pleasantly pleased when I opened it and it had a flat brush!! I love Dior's brush and I was wondering why every company didn't make that brush? It is divine! It helps with even and precise application. Oh man, I like this Rimmel nail polish even better.

Well I'm going to do some comparison swatches later this week, but wanted to show my really cheap haul today.  I'm suppose to have a zero shopping haul, but I just couldn't resist at these prices. I mean seriously, who could? lol

So if you have a TJ Hughes closing, go on down, you never know what you will find, they had: Calvin Klein, Revlon, Maybelline, BYS, W7, a boat load of hair products (I mean an entire wall), Rimmel, Urban Decay and so much more. 

What I really wanted was the YSL touche eclat, but they had a ton, and I think I'm going to wait until their last few days before they really shut down and go and buy them really really cheap.  But if you want one, they are currently £21 with 20% off. 

Happy bargain shopping beauty huntresses!

My Swap Haul For June

My DH is looking at me and giving me this face, because he thinks that the products surrounding me are products that I purchased.  I quickly put him out of his misery and told him that they were all swaps, so he leaves the room.  Why do men not understand our obsession? Well I guess it's in the same manner that I don't understand his electronics or dvd obsession.  I can't begin to tell you how happy I am about swapping again.  It's been way too long, and it really has saved me so much money, and I will continue to swap until I have swapped out everything on my swaplist.  For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm talking about makeupalley right now.  I've also met a lot of nice English girls on there as well, so overall it's been a great experience.  Now onto the haul reveal!

* Mac false eyelashes - These are the older packaging, but since it's not makeup, it doesn't matter.  I love falsies for when I go out, so I can never get enough

* Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 11 -

 Ok, I am a freaking idiot. When I agreed to swap for this, I must have looked at the wrong swatch, because I thought it would be my colour, obviously it is not.  It is for dark skinned girls, so that was clearly a dumb mistake on my part, but I did find a very clever way to use this.  I have placed 2 drops in my face lotion and have created a tinted moisturizer out of it, so this won't go to complete waste.

* Armani Fluid Sheer 13

This is a meant for an all over face colour, but clearly it is too dark, it is like a dark Burgundy tone which I plan to use mixed with some other cheek blush and blended, or even to use as a contour

Both formulas ARE amazing, and it just solidified in my head that I need an Armani foundation (in my shade lol) in my life.

* Bare Minerals - medium beige

This is my favourite mineral foundation, so I jumped on the swap when it was in my colour.  I love how it gives a great luminous day time look without looking cakey or overly done.  Sure you'll need a concealer for any blemishes, but this is quick and effective.  I just hate their infomercials so much though lol

LIPPIES GALORE

* YSL - Rouge Pure Shine Sheer Lipstick 1

* Guerlain Matte kiss kiss lipgloss in 03

* Clinique superbalm moisturizing gloss in 10 Grapefruit

* Chanel Glossimer in 117

* Edward Bess lipstick in Night Orchid

* 17 - Shine on lipstick in Flirty

YSL, Guerlain, Clinique, Chanel, 17, Edward Bess

Out of all of these, I am so excited to have the Edward Bess lipstick. I am definitely obsessing hardcore over all his stuff at the moment, 

I'm quite pleased with all of them, but the one that shocked me the most was the 17 lipstick. I did not expect it to be that nice and creamy. Wow! I'm a fan now.

* Rimmel - Lash Maxxx mascara

Something about the brush won me over. I heard this doesn't last long, but I'll be holding onto the brush for sure.

* Barry M - Glitter lashes

A little litter on the lashes - sounded too fun to turn away

It's actually not a mascara, but looks like a lipgloss and you just brush it onto your lashes.

* No 7 Amazing Eye Pencil in 05 Black

I can't say no to black eyeliners, and since I have never tried no 7 eyeliners, this was a great chance for me to try it out 

I will not need bath products for the next month.

I got 3 huge and i mean HUGE products to try

* FCUK Whipped Body Cream - 300 ml

* Sanctuary Body Milk Spray - 250ml

* Sanctuary Bath relaxer oil - 250ml

Let's see what all this Sanctuary hoopla is all about shall we....

Overall, great big items to last me this month :)

* Gosh stippling brush

I haven't used this yet, and quite impressed by the size. I'll have to give it a go and report back to you on how I feel about it.  I love collecting brushes hahaha, so glad to have swapped for this.

* MUA eyeshadow in shade 16 - Matt

So I have gone on and on about MUA eyeshadows only being £1 and being a good bargain, so I wanted to give another colour a chance. So far so good. 

* Chantecaille La Baleine Bleue

Eyeshadow Palette

OK....I never in my wildest dream would think I'd own a chantecaille limited edition item.

First, because they cost way too much.

We're looking at $95 in the states, and £85 in the UK

Who can pay that?!?! OK, I guess lots of people could, but not this person right here haha

So when the chance came to be able to swap for this, I did all I could to make it happen.

This is a gorgeous trio meant for a soft and subtle look, and that's what it delivers.

The shadow feels like SILK!!!! I think Dior just lost to the softest eyeshadows out there.

I'll do a separate post on this for sure, but I also love that 5% of the proceeds do go to the wild life foundation to help the animals that are featured in the palettes.

I love this so much.

* The Dior Travel palette (on the left) 

is gorgeous and you can find my review I did here

I have reached for this so many times this month and I just wish I had another one of this.

and last but definitely not least. 

* CHANTECAILLE BENGALI PALETTE

Coming in at a whopping $117/£110

I was floored to have made this swap happen.

I am in love with the size of this palette and the texture of the eyeshadows and blush.

They are just out of this world.  I know a lot of people probably didn't buy this due to the heavy sticker price, but if you did have the money to buy it, you won't be disappointed.  it is just so smooth, and with zero fall out, and it is honestly the best eyeshadow that I have ever tried.   I will be doing a separate post on this with better more accurate pictures, but just wanted to show you guys what was in the palette.

So that was my June swap.  I'll be doing this monthly to show you all can get some great items during a swap.  Why not right? Give away something that didn't work for you, in exchange for something that would work for you.  One gal's trash is another gal's treasure right?  Do you swap? What do you love or hate about it?






COME AND ENTER MY FIRST GIVEAWAY HERE!!

Haulage Part 1 : Freebies & Cheap Makeup finds

I'm here to show you my massive haul for this week. Yes I know it's only Tuesday, but when there are free makeup giveaways, I go runnin' ! :)

Up first is Jemma Kidd lip gloss with Red Magazine.
It's a summer perfect Pink/coral lippie.

Jemma Kidd Hi-Shine silk touch lipgloss in Coral

Full size. I have absolutely LOVE the citrus scent to this lipgloss, smooth texture and  application.  It's a lovely little lipgloss to throw into your bag and reapply constantly without worrying about using it all up like I do with my precious Chanel lippies.


Next up is my Reiss tank top or vest as they call it here, I had a choice with the white, blue, and grey and of course I went for the grey :) Very thin and just a simple "knock-around" top for home or running to the shop real quick. I'm quite happy with this. Oh and it came with Elle Magazine.

I really do enjoy all these free giveaways, well I love the magazines too. I am very digital and electronic when it comes to everything else in my life, but when it comes to fashion magazines and schedules/planner, I love having it in my hand.

Another item that I picked up was Rescue Oil, which is supposedly a miracle oil to help with scars, stretch marks, and other skin issues. 

The packaging states that it is to be gently massaged in the area you want to moisturise or into your bath.

It apparently helps with:

 * Ageing Skin

* Scar Tissue

* Treatment and prevention of stretch marks

* Before and after pregnancy massage oil

* After sun treatment

* Dry dehydrated skin conditions 

* Therapeutic bath oil

I'll be using this for the latter 2.

 I have never heard of this stuff until I saw Bio-Oil at Boots and went home to google it. I didn't realise that there were all these great reviews on this product.  Then, this past weekend, I forget who's blog I read it from (sorry!) but they said that instead of buying the £9-10 bottle of bio-oil to give Rescue Oil a try for only £1, so I figured....why not? If it doesn't work, I won't cry over £1.

So here it is, it's a strange orange colour due to the peach kernel oil, and it really doesn't have a odour either.  I'll give this a go tonight and report back!

So while I was in poundland buying Rescue oil, I couldn't help myself to stroll around, and saw a bunch of Rimmel lipsticks.  Ok, so I have never worn Rimmel and up until recently, I was a bit of a snob and wouldn't wear makeup unless it was expensive (How delusional was that right?!?!?!) and so I decided to give it a go. For £1 I gave it a go, but honestly I'm not happy with it, it instantly started to make my lips flake. So overall, nice colour, but made my lips flake, so it won't be staying with me.

This is Rimmel's Moisture Renew Lipstick in Beach Babe.

So right after Poundland, I popped into Superdrug, because I was getting my friend Gosh Gasoline and Gosh Blue Monday.  As much as those colours are very very very pretty, I'm just not dying to get it for myself.  Maybe because I know I have access to it now. Now watch, Gosh will discontinue them and I'll be here kicking myself in the a$$ for not picking them up lol!

So Gosh is 3 for 2 right now, so I grabbed this one for myself.

Gosh - Lavender Love

Although it is more of a periwinkle ladies.

This is my first Gosh (apart from the holographic one that sucked really badly), so I will do a NOTD soon and report back.

So I am splitting up this haulage into 2 parts, but the second part has to do with my Boots rave and all the Boots items that I got at a bargain bargain price.
To kick off the next part, this is one item that I got for only £2.50.
No 7 nude lipliner (made very popular by Lisa Eldridge) was something that I couldn't pass up with my £5 off voucher.  You get one of these vouchers when you spend £5 or more at Boots, so essentially, you get it for nothing.
This lipliner is suppose to be very flattering and yes it is.  It really is and I'm so freaking happy with this lipliner, because all the liners that I have owned before wore too nude on me or leaned too brown for my liking, and this matches my natural lip colour perfectly!
I just found my favourite lip liner!

So yes, next up will be my Boot's haul.

But before I go, I HAVE to share with you the strawberries that I picked from my in law's garden. So cute!

Ok Will be back with Part 2!