House of Fraser Summer Scents Giveaway

Friday, August 07, 2015
House of Fraser Summer Scents Giveaway
When it comes to homeware, candles and room fragrances are some of my favourite things to buy. Candles and diffusers can make such a difference to the feel of a room, if that makes sense - room fragrances on the whole make a room feel more homely and cosy. Also they are a quick and easy way to update a room with the change of seasons. 

The lovely people at House of Fraser are kindly providing the prize for this giveaway - I'm giving away the Linea Set of 3 Mini Diffusers (£25) which contains diffusers in the following scents:

Fig NoirAn aromatic blend of juicy wild fig interwoven with leafy green accents and a heart of floral jasmine brushed with sultry spices. Rich wood, cedar, patchouli and sandalwood.

- Citrus VerbenaA sparkling citrus blend of vibrant citrus lemon, lime and bergamot infused with delicate green floral accords. Sweet floral, violet and rose layered with warm woods and musk. 

- OudA sensual oriental with a sweet balsamic woody back note combined with a rich floral of rose and carnation, decadent woods and musk. 

This giveaway is UK only; to enter just fill out the Rafflecopter form below:


New + Upcoming Beauty Releases #6

Thursday, August 06, 2015
New + Upcoming Beauty Releases #6
All images are from Diary Directory or Google
So many new autumn/winter collections are being released in the next few weeks and I for one cannot wait. The Clarins AW15 range is already available at Boots; the YSL, Burberry and Guerlain AW15 collections also look gorgeous. Mac are launching a few exciting collections over the new few months including the Haute Dogs collection which I NEED along with the MAC x Ellie Goulding collection in December *major heart eyes emoji for these two upcoming Mac collections*

July saw the preview of christmas items from Debenhams, Makeup Revolution, Green People, Crabtree and Evelyn, Noble Isle, REN and many more, all of which made me even more excited for christmas than is socially acceptable in August...The Makeup Revolution advent calendar and House of Fraser beauty advent calendar are on my list to santa already! I'm so glad that more brands are bringing out beauty advent calendars as I've had a couple and they are so fun and much better than cheap advent calendar chocolate!

H&M have launched a new beauty range which I have to say looks quite fancy and I do have my eye on a few items although for a clothing store beauty range it is a little pricey in my opinion. Kiss Cosmetics have launched even more, including Colour Switch and a range of minis! Too Faced are finally launching their Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette (£39) in Debenhams in August and I can't wait, it's been released in the states for so long already. Lastly, Rodial are launching a range of brow pencils (Glamobrow) and after all of the rave reviews I've read for Rodial cosmetics then they are bound to be a hit - launching in November. 

Which AW15 collections are you looking forward to the most? Are any of these products/collections on your wish list?

Fancy Witch Black Magic Collection Brushes

Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Fancy Witch Black Magic Collection Brushes
A couple of weeks ago I was very kindly sent the whole range of makeup brushes from the brand Fancy Witch (I personally love the brand name and packaging design) from the online store Beauty Crowd. "The Black Magic collection has been designed by professionals and handmade from quality synthetic hair that gives an airbrushed finish."

All of the Fancy Witch brushes are cruelty free and all but one are made using vegan talon bristles. The blush brush is made from natural goat hair bristles although it is cruelty free. There are eight brushes in total and they are handmade in Bulgaria. The brushes I received all came in plastic pouches which came in so useful in terms of travelling and storing while we were away in York.


I started testing this brush properly while in York, the only thing I hate about travelling is that my makeup routine changes and things that were usually easily, suddenly become harder and messy. This foundation brush was impressive from the first use; the brushes are so smooth and soft! I've used it with a few foundations, all liquid, and it applies and blends like a dream - no streaks, no shedding and it makes foundation application/blending SO quick! The paddle shape of the brush makes it so effective. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


As well as the foundation brush, this is another that I've been using every time I apply makeup. Usually I'm not a massive fan of kabuki brushes but this one is the softest brush ever! I've been using this brush for all over powder and it is fantastic - it doesn't apply too much and blends instantly. The brush is great to travel with in it's pouch and it can stand up on its own. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


For me this brush is a little big for bronzer but because it is tapered it is relatively precise. I've been using this brush for sheer powder blush and setting powder and it blends well without making products look patchy or uneven on the skin. This is one of the brushes that I will get a lot of use out of for all over setting powder. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


Since returning from York, I've been using this powder brush more often as it is a great multi-tasker - I love it for bronzer, setting powder and blush. The bristles are SO smooth, smooth and blend effortlessly. I have experienced a tiny amount of shedding with this brush but it was only a few bristles initially and it hasn't shed since. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


The last face brush is not synthetic like all of the others but it still feels really soft and smooth on the skin, it doesn't drag the skin and it hasn't shed as of yet. The bristles are tapered and angled so it is great for blush and for contouring - only powder contour as the brush isn't dense enough for cream contour products. I know it's cruelty free but I still feel a little weird using a brush with goat hair bristles. Overall rating: ★★★★☆, 4/5. 


Now onto the smaller face and eye brushes, I haven't been using this small tapered brush as an eyeshadow brush, I love it for concealer! It is perfect for applying and blending concealer and powder under the eyes and on blemishes. As the brush is tapered, it is great for precise concealing. I think it would also be perfect for applying a wash of shadow over the lid. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


I don't have many blemishes/spots, I rarely get them but when I do they leave small areas of pigmentation so I'm always wanting extra coverage and concealer on those tiny areas - this brush is great for covering blemishes and smaller areas of redness/pores. The bristles are incredibly soft and smooth so they blend concealer perfectly. It would be useful for under eye concealing if you, like me, put off washing your makeup brushes so you have to use others...Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.


I have actually used this brush for it's stated purpose, it is a perfect brush for applying and blending a wash of shadow over the lid or blending out shadows in the crease. The shape is similar to the tapered eye crease brush but it isn't as tapered although it is still useful for under eye concealing. I've washed the last two brushes and they wash really well with no shedding. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5.

Overall, the bristles for all of the brushes are incredibly smooth, soft and work so effectively with numerous products and formulas. The bristles for all look very fluffy but they are quite dense. The price per brush is reasonable in my opinion as the quality is fantastic and they are cruelty free. I would recommend all of the brushes especially the foundation, tapered eye crease, kabuki and powder brushes!

Have you tried any brushes from Fancy Witch? Have you bought anything from Beauty Crowd?

Little Ondine Natural Nail Polishes

Tuesday, August 04, 2015
Little Ondine Natural Nail Polishes
As much as I love the look of freshly painted nails, the smell of polish, waiting and the time consuming and noxious process of removing polish always puts me off painting my nails so they look bare, boring and untidy. Little Ondine may be the answer, their polishes are natural, odour free, quick drying and you don't need nail polish remover! 

I was kindly sent three of the *Little Ondine Polishes in the shades  L070 Cherry Blossom (pink), L074 Morning Glory (Blue), L402 Smack  (yellow) and I also received the *Little Ondine LT Base and Top Coat (£7.80). Firstly, I love the packaging, it is simple and cute! The instructions that come with it are great too. 

Cherry Blossom 

This bright petal pink shade is just gorgeous, it looks so summery and fresh on the nails. It is girly and pink but it isn't too barbie pink, in my opinion. The polish has a wide brush which is fantastic as it applies the polish quicker and easier. The formula is relatively thick and gloopy and it takes a bit of practise to get an even opaque coat (it's opaque in two coats). I think I will get the most use out of this shade compared to the others I have. 

Morning Glory 

Another gorgeous shade, such a vibrant minty sky blue that is more pigmented and opaque than the Cherry Blossom shade; it isn't as runny or gloopy as it either. The polishes don't smell of anything when applied or in the bottle which is so strange as I'm used to all polishes having that toxic chemical scent. There is a slight plastic scent when the polish is dry on but it isn't very noticeable at all. 

Smack

Firstly, I hate the name of this polish and to be honest it isn't a shade I would have chosen although it is the most pigmented shade of the three and it is probably the brightest nail polish I own! It is a little patchier than the previous two on my nails but with three coats it is fully opaque and streak free. When dry it is quite matte however with the topcoat it has glossy and shiny finish. 

One thing I was concerned about when I received the polishes is the longevity especially as the polishes are all natural and the main selling and unique point for me about these polishes is that they are all peel off - they don't need remover to get rid of them, you just soak your nails in warm water and peel off. The polish peels off so easily without leaving residue, marks on the nails or dryness; it is so quick and convenient and it makes changing up my polishes fuss free. However I painted my nails and after a hour or so I had a shower as I normally would and on two nails the polish did start to peel of so I had to take it off but the other three nails were fine. When out of the water and humidity the polish was normal and hard again rather than peeling at the tips. 

Overall, I love the natural ethos of the brand and that the polishes are odour free (which is a big positive for me and people around me when I paint my nails). Also I love the wide brush as it makes painting my nails so much easier and quicker even with a slightly gloopy polish and the packaging is so simple and cute. The polish is fast drying and the top/base coat is essential with these polishes. The longevity isn't as good as regular polishes and I think if you had a long shower or bath then it would all peel off but on the whole it's great especially if you like to switch up your polishes often. Also it doesn't stain the nails! Oh and the Little Ondine website has amazing polish swatches - I think this peel of formula will be amazing with glitter shades! Overall rating: ★★★★, 5/5. 


Here's my mini Little Ondine wish list:


Sweet Liquor, Marshmallow, New Year's, Copper Spark and Vegas Baby Vegas

Use the code: TRYME to get £5 off your first order at uk.littleondine.com 


Have you tried any polishes from Little Ondine? What do you think of peel off or natural polishes?

My Ultimate Birthday + Blogging Wish List

Monday, August 03, 2015
My Ultimate Birthday and Blogging Wish List
Neom Tranquillity Scented Candle Travel (£16) - Pretty Honest by Sali Hughes (£22) - Tarte The Sculptor (£25.50) - Origins Drink Up Mask Pods (£5) - Tarte Tartette Palette (£30.60) - Amazon Portable Photo Home Studio (£29.99) - H&M Ceramic Marble Effect Plate (£6.99) - Canon 600D (£465) - Pacifica Mediterranean Fig Fragrance (£20) - CoverFX Custom Cover Drops (£36) - Oliver Bonas Copper Letter (£10) - Too Faced Semi Chocolate Bar Palette - Josie Maran Chubby Concealer (£13) - Toshiba Air Wireless SD Card (£27.95) - Jurlique Lavender Lotion (£28)

Well I will turn the grand old age of 23 (ok, it's not THAT old). Birthdays as a child were always so happy and anticipated but now I dread them, the only good thing is presents! Anyway, granny rant over, these are my ultimate dream birthday picks as well as some items I've wanted with regards to my blog for a while such as the much coveted Canon 600D and more H&M homeware. 

What do you think of my wish list picks? Do you recommend any of the products I've featured?

Beauty Giveaway ft. Urban Decay

Saturday, August 01, 2015
Today I'm hosting a surprise giveaway ft. Urban Decay. I will be giving away the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation in the shade Medium Neutral (RRP £26) to one lucky winner. The foundation is new in it's box and it comes with an adorable pouch. Apologies for the shade opinion for those with darker or paler skin! The prize was provided by House of Coco

This giveaway is open internationally! To enter you must complete the compulsory options, just enter via the Rafflecopter below: