Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny - Review

Bonjour!

Good grief I've had this blusher for ages ... it was a belated Christmas present (the Christmas before last) from my brother which I got to choose myself!  I knew that if I didn't buy myself something special I'd just fritter the money away on bits and bobs - anyone else guilty of this?  I therefore set out with the intention of obtaining one of the iconic Bobbi Brown Pot Rouges and came back with a powder blush (as you do!) - the Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny ...

I think it was the swatch (as you can see above) that did it for me - I've got a thing about pinky brown, fleshy type blushers - you know the sort that you reach for when you want a bit of something that's not too obvious. bright or shimmery.  I must admit, I was a bit disappointed at first that once applied and blended it seems to take on more of a paler pink tone than I'd expected, so although it's sits fine over a full foundation, I tend to use for a wash of natural colour on BB or CC days and for this purpose it's perfect - plus it can always be added over the top of a bronzer for a deeper flush. Once on it seems to stay put for hours and has a refined, silky texture and a soft, matte finish - you only need the tiniest amount as it's pretty well pigmented (this is not one to swirl around with your brush as you'll pick up far too much product, just a light tap is all that's required).  Although it's definitely a luxury buy at £19/3.7g, I can see it going on for ages and ages!

Over a BB'd kite ... no idea why I have such a starstruck look on my face ... !

So that's my first blush from Bobbi Brown - looking at the range of gorgeous colours I'm hoping it won't be my last!  Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Powder Blush? Which is your favourite?

Jen x

Another Birthday, Another Wishlist ...

Bonjour!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have gleaned that Friday was my birthday - I forced myself to wear a dress - get me!  This post was obviously meant to be published earlier on in the week but it didn't get finished in time - we're having fitted wardrobes in my daughter's bedroom and there has been a lot of moving of stuff around! How does one so young accumulate so much crap stuff?!  The floor of my own bedroom is currently littered with boxes and resembles an 'Albert's Bazaar' - that's my mum's term for jumble sale! It's doing my head in but a bit of deep breathing will help - won't be for much longer!   Anyway ... I didn't think it was appropriate to sit finishing off this post on my actual birthday as the husband was patiently waiting to take me out for a spot of shopping and lunch ...  so, a bit late but lets just pretend it's a few days earlier!

'It's my birthday, it's my birthday. I'mma (not a spelling mistake) spend hubby's money!  Yep well that's the plan anyway!'

Another Birthday, Another Wishlist! by beautyandthebiryani featuring a beveled mirror

When my mum and hubby first asked ... 'What do you want for your birthday?' ... I couldn't bring anything in particular to mind ...I know ... I must be mad!  Then I realised there are a few things I would quite like ... after all it's ok to have a few treats on your birthday right?

Bronzo Italia Rolo Link Bracelet - I'm into the whole Rose Gold thing and I love the chunkiness of this bracelet. Hoping my mum will take the 'QVC hint'!

Green Shirt and Tangerine Platform Pumps - I'm so ready for a pop or two of colour after the dreariness of Winter! I'd love a bright shirt to wear with skinnies and maybe a new pair of posh shoes (these are posh to me!) to wear with a plain outfit - I'm blaming the latter totally on Donna from I Won't Wear Sludge Brown take a look at her post here and you'll see what I mean!

Adidas/Nike Running Shoes - I'd say these are more of a need!  Being a regular 'gym-goer' my trainers take a lot of battering and I've had my current pair for so long that the tread is starting to wear so they could do with being replaced.  I'm fancying a change from standard white - which would you go for?

Funk Soul Classics - been listening to a lot of 80s groovy stuff recently. Takes me back to pre-house music days of dancing round my huge clutch bag in white stilettos and big curly hair!  I'd love another compilation to put in the car!

MAC Blushbaby/Benefit Dallas - I figured it's ok to buy one more totally unnecessary blusher on your birthday! I've been wanting to dip into the world of MAC blushers for a while and there's something about Blushbaby ...!  Can't decide whether to plump for me ol' matey Benefit Dallas though, which I've never got round to replacing!

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream - an absolute favourite but one I tend to save as a proper treat as it's rather pricey! I've asked my brother to bring me one back from France when he comes over this weekend. Bet he forgets! 

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - this is a Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream with SPF30 and I don't think it's available in the UK until April but it's a product I really fancy trying for the warmer months so it's on my list!

Dressing Table Mirror - last but not least and yes - a bit of a weird choice but ... I would really like a new dressing table mirror! Although not strictly a need - I already have a mirror but it's not so big and it's balanced on top of a basket on my set of drawers which acts as my dressing table. A taller mirror, properly positioned, so I don't have to squat to look into it every time I want to apply some slap or dry my hair would be such a treat!

So ... that was my birthday wishlist - bit back to front but that's me all over! I did have a lovely day though - the hubby was super nice to me - not that he's usually horrible or anything but you know what I mean! My brother had come home from France for the weekend (and yes he forgot the L'Occitane hand cream!),  my musician brother is on tour in America with Kid Creole and the Coconuts (remember them!) and called to wish me a Happy Birthday from Dallas, Texas (how the other half live!).  My mum baked a superb three tier cake (which also went on Instagram) and we had a huge chinese with the family in the evening - suffice to say we were all stuffed! 

What would be on your birthday wishlist? Is it a big one (the wishlist not the birthday!)?


Jen x

PS. And yes I'm aware that my font is a bit weird in these last few paragraphs but I've had the same problem as you Sarah from Forty Therapy with regards to the font! Don't have time to sort it at the minute so it'll have to do for this post!

Beauty Haulage ...!

Bonjour!

I haven't done a haul post since January (even then it was pathetic) so here are a few bits I've picked up over the last couple of months ...

E45 Repair and Protect Overnight Hand Cream - on offer in Boots - the old hands need some TLC.  Not tried it yet but it will be placed on my bedside table shortly!

The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil and Balm -  I'd run out of my beloved DHC Cleansing Oil and not got round to re-ordering so decided to give the Camomile Cleansing Oil a go. The dilemma set in as I entered The Body Shop and discovered they had a buy one get one half price offer on - the rest is history ...

Dove Youthful Vitality Thickening Essence and Oxygen Moisture Root Lift Spray - buy one get one free in Boots. I'm a big fan of the Thickening Essence so got the Oxygen Moisture Root Lift Spray as the freebie. I've had a couple of  'tries' with it and can't decide if I like it or not so will follow up on that!

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everstrong Shampoo and Nourishing Intense Mask - these were both half price in Sainsburys and I've been meaning to repurchase from this range since my review here.  

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream - after using a sample from an old beauty box, I grabbed this on offer from Amazon.  Still loving it for it's hydrating properties but you really have to get used to the smell!  It's all a bit confusing but my sample was fragrance free (yet with a bit of scent to it) and this large size is the original - to me it smells a bit strange, really industrial, like new plastic? It's a fragrance (if you can call it that) that you have to get used to ... to my mind (and nose) the fragrance free 'smells' much more inviting so will go back to that next time!

No7 Stay Perfect and Moisture Drench Lippies - I used the No7 Match Made Service to help choose these two colours - Pillarbox and Sweet Chestnut.  I had one of those No7 money off vouchers plus they were buy one get one half price - can you tell I like my offers?!  I didn't intend buying brights, I was after a nude lippie but the No 7 lady informed me that for some reason they don't seem to 'do nudes' at the moment - shame!

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - as soon as I heard this mascara was a dupe for the Benefit Roller Lash, which I reviewed here, I had to try it out - especially whilst it was on introductory offer! First impressions are good and full review will follow.

Bourjois One Seconde Volume Mascara and Happy Light Primer - I used the Waterproof One Seconde last summer - review here so wanted to try this Ultra Black version - the primer just 'fell' into my basket too as it was half price! I'm useless aren't I?


Have you used any of these products? What beauty bits have you picked up on your travels over the last few weeks?


Jen x

Max Factor Wild Shadow Pot in Burnt Bark - Review

Bonjour!

This is my little pot of Max Factor Wild Shadow in Burnt Bark ... I was advised (ages ago) to try it out as an alternative to Mac's Satin Taupe  and I've been using it ever since ...

I don't know what it is (maybe old age!) but I am generally drawn to neutrals when it comes to eye shadow these days so Burnt Bark is therefore right up my avenue.  It's a lovely taupey colour that's not too warm, cool, brown or grey.  It has just the right amount of pearly shimmer to make it suitable for daytime wear - you know when you want to dress your peepers up a little - any fashion bloggers who may be reading, think of this as my accessory!  It also works well with a red lip for an evening out, as it's not too in yer face, or can be built up for a more smoky eye. It has great pigment and a fine texture which is almost creamy so there is minimal fallout, it doesn't sit in my creases (of which there are many!) and lasts a good seven hours on with a primer.

So - just a lighter application here for daytime ... I've just stuck it all over my lid here ... laziness I guess but I like it that way ...!

I still don't own Satin Taupe so can't say how much of a dupe this is but from comparison swatches they do look pretty similar.  For now though I'm more than happy with Burnt Bark.  It's a great all rounder, very affordable at £4.99 per pot and something I'll definitely be looking to repurchase as it's one of my most used eye shadows.   I honestly can't see it running out any time soon though!

Have you tried Max Factor Burnt Bark? Are you a fan of taupe eye shadows?  Which is your favourite?


Jen x

February Empties ...

Bonjour!

I haven't done an 'Empties' post for a while so thought I'd share a few bits I've finished up recently ...

Charles Worthington Strength and Repair Pro-Heat Milk - I use this practically every time I dry my hair to smooth and protect.  I can see this being a regular repurchase (I'm into my second bottle!) - full review is here.

Sure Crystal Invisible Aqua Anti-Perspirant - unfortunately I'll not repurchase this one - it works fine as an anti-perspirant and smells ok but the fumes (if that's the right word) are really strong and seem to hang around suspended in the air (even with the bathroom window wide open) and catch in my throat - must be because it's all trapped in there or something!

Liz Earle Energising Body Scrub - I've used this on and off for years  (usually take one with me on holiday!) - it's non scratchy, yet effective and smells lovely and uplifting - one of my all time favourite scrubs - I'll repurchase once I've finished my large stash!

Le Petit Marseillais Shower Milk - brought this back from France last year (I have a thing about French toiletries!)  - don't ask me to translate word for word but basically it's a hydrating and nourishing body wash that I've found really comforting to use when the old hide has felt a bit dried out this winter.

Bare Minerals Original Foundation SPF 15 in Medium Tan - another product I've used for years now - mainly for work and nights out. It's just so easy to stick on - even when you're half awake in the morning and gives great coverage without looking heavy - it's a regular repurchase!

DHC Deep Cleansing Oil - and another regular repurchase - been using this particular bottle since September as an evening cleanse as it's excellent at removing make-up.  Full review here.  I've just bought another cleansing oil and balm to use (darn the inquisitive beauty blogger in me!) so will see how they compare.

Mandara Spa Amber Heaven Softening Body Cream and Conditioning Shower Cream - love the warm scent of this range, gorgeous to use in Winter. These two came as part of a reduced post- Christmas gift set so ended up costing about £1 each - bargain or what!   

So those are my empties ... what have you got through this month?


Jen x

Mally Under Eye Brightener - Review

Bonjour...

This is my little pot of Mally Under Eye Brightener - it's something I've used each morning for a good long while now so it's about time I wrote a post ... if you read my blog you'll know I'm  rather partial to a few Mally Beauty products (available from QVC) and this one is no exception ...

Mally states this has been described as 'sunshine in a jar' ... containing hyaluronic acid, barley extract and Swiss glacier water which help with hydration and moisture, we should think of it as skincare with added brightening and colour correcting properties rather than make-up.  It comes in two colour options Lighter (which I have) and Deeper.  Now I know it looks like a pot of Dijon mustard but don't be alarmed! 

I just place a tiny amount on each ring finger (much less than the blob on my hand above) and press/pat lightly (rather than rub) around the eye area - best to start off with a lesser amount and add more if needed.  It's very light in texture but the 'Dijon' vibe is very effective at correcting those dark purple shadows, I love that I can use from the inner to outer corners of the under-eye area and as long as I use the correct amount there is no caking (is that even a word?), dryness or sitting in wrinkles and it definitely gives a hand with brightening and hydrating.  I use this every morning (adding a bit of concealer if I'm having an 'extra dark circle day') - once on it lasts pretty well but is easy to touch up by adding more later on in the day if you feel the need for extra brightness!

Pre and post Mally Under Eye Brightener from left to right ... and as you peruse please remember that my under eye area (in fact all of my eye area) is old ... really old ...

It is expensive at around £28-£30/11.4g to purchase alone (mine was part of a QVC kit making it really affordable) but I've been using for about a year and a half and I still have a good third of the jar left - it's one of those where you actually do get a full jar though so it's going on forever!  There are another couple of under-eye products I'd like to try out of curiosity, but I'd definitely consider repurchasing the Mally Under-Eye Brightener and would certainly grab another QVC kit if it comes up - what can I say - I'm a bit of a Mallynista!

Do you use a colour corrector or under-eye brightener for dark circles?  Which is your favourite?

Jen x