Sunday 30 June 2013

Top 5 | Summer Lipsticks


Although it's not very summery outside, I thought it would be nice to do a Top 5 Summer Lipsticks post! So here are my top 5 lipsticks picks for summertime:


from l-r, clockwise:

Dainty Doll Lipstick in 008 It's My Party: £1.99 - An outrageous neon pinky red, It's My Party is so very summery. This was available on Fragrance Direct, but its now sold out so maybe try eBay? Rimmel Apocalips in Stellar is a good dupe for this colour. 

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya: £7.99 - One of the limited edition summer colours, Juicy Papaya is the perfect peachy orange without being too in your face. I'm not a lover of peach/coral lipsticks but this one has managed to work it's way into my Top 5 because its so wearable. 

MAC Impassioned: £14.00 - Similar to It's My Party but more pink, Impassioned is one of MAC's most popular lipsticks and I've seen this in plenty of summer lipstick posts on other blogs. I won this in the lovely Katie from My Makeup Obsession's giveaway and I couldn't be happier to have it!

Rimmel Apocalips in Apocaliptic: £5.99 - A true dark fuchsia, Apocaliptic is a colour I'd wear all year round, but mostly in summer. It's just perfect for summer nights out. 

Models Own Matt Brite Lipstick in Flaming Red: £5.00 - This orange red is a really nice twist on the classic red lip for summer. I do prefer blue based reds, but for summer orange is the way to go! 


Swatches from left to right: Dainty Doll It's My Party, MAC Impassioned, Revlon Juicy Papaya, Models Own Flaming Red, Rimmel Apocaliptic. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my top 5 summer lipsticks!

Fiona xox

KARORA | Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser & Self Tan Mist


KARORA Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser SPF15: Glow And Protect RRP £14.99*
KARORA Self Tan Mist Original 100ml: Luxe For Less - Cute & Gorgeous RRP £17.99*


I was sent these gorgeous tanning products from the new botanical bronzing range KARORA to try out, and I certainly wasn't disappointed: "Hailing from the Emerald Isle, beauty brand KARORA offers women a stylish skin caring choice in self tan with a collection of botanical bronzing products that deliver custom colour with intense skin treatments. The multi-tasking formulae contain signature ingredients of grape seed, acai berry, jojoba and argan".

I'm not a regular tanner, but I will break out the bronzing products if I've got an occasion to go to or if I'm heading off on holiday somewhere! So with a wedding and my cousins 18th party within a few weeks of each other, I was delighted when these beautiful purple bottles landed on my doorstep.

The Gradual Bronzing Moisturiser is a great product that can be used to create a natural looking tan or extend an existing tan. Unlike a lot of cheap gradual tanners that take weeks to build up a decent amount of colour, the day after my first application I noticed a definite glow to my skin! It built up to a fantastic natural looking tan. It smells great, it doesn't feel sticky at all and it has SPF 15, which is brilliant! Although at £14.99 its quite pricey, it's a million times better than most high-street gradual tanners so definitely worth it. 

The Self Tan Mist Original is the first spray tan mist I've ever used, and I got on really well with it! It was super easy to use - just spray on and rub in with a tanning mitt. It left me with a light but definitely tanned look, which was perfect for me. KARORA also do a dark version of their Self Tan Mist for those who like a deeper tan. It's by far the easiest tanning product I've ever used and gave great results, I'm impressed.

The whole KARORA range is available from John Bell & Croyden in London and Lloyds Pharmacy's new concept stores in Glasgow - check them out! 

Fiona xox

*these products were provided for the purpose of review

Sunday 23 June 2013

Riri Hearts MAC Summer Collection | RiRi Boy


So after much anticipation and obsessive page refreshing, on Thursday just after 12pm I ordered my second lipstick from the Rihanna and MAC collaboration - RiRi Boy. It arrived yesterday, which was really quick! 

I'll admit now, I'm not a big Rihanna fan. I listen to her music occasionally and I admire her style, but it was more the new retro matte finish that drew me to this collection. I love matte lipsticks, and I love purple! So RiRi Boy was calling my name.


MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick: £14.00

MAC describe this shade as a matte lavender, which is pretty much spot on. It's basically a matte version of Up The Amp from MAC. Up the Amp has been on my wishlist for a long long time, but a matte version? Even better! In comparison to Heroine, another matte purple from MAC, RiRi Boy is a similar shade only much lighter, the 'daytime' version of Heroine! 


As you can see from the swatch, it's just gorgeous. It's a lot pinker than I expected it to be, but I love it because it makes it more wearable for me. 


I seriously cannot wait to wear this. For me, Heroine lipstick has only been worn inside my house, by myself. I'm waiting for a big night out (I don't go clubbing all that often) to feel confident enough to wear it in public. But with RiRi Boy I feel like I could get away with wearing it shopping in Glasgow, or just to the pub!

I really do adore this lipstick and I'm sad that it's limited edition, but at least I can get Up The Amp!

Fiona xox



Friday 21 June 2013

Good Things | Face The Day Moisturiser & Five Minute Facial


Good Things Face The Day Moisturiser: 49p (normally £7.99) 
Good Things Five Minute Facial Face Mask: 49p (normally £5.99)

Yup, that's right. 49p each for these Good Things goodies. What a bargain! I found them in the bargain bin of my local Superdrug, and it would seem they're no longer stocking the brand, although you can still buy them in Boots and Sainsbury's. 

The Face The Day moisturiser is lovely! Its a little greasy for my oily skin, but I believe Good Things also do a mattifying moisturiser. The one thing I really like about it is that it smells so good! It has goji berry and papaya extracts and doesn't contain any parabens or mineral oil. Overall its a really nice moisturiser and if you have normal skin this would be bang on. 

The Five Minute Facial face mask is really nice. It doesn't target any skin problems in particular, but it says it will make skin 'clearer, brighter and smoother'. It definitely doesn't help too much with my blackheads and pores, but its definitely a nice smoothing and brightening mask. I've been enjoying using it during pampering sessions.

I'd definitely be interested in trying more from Good Things. I don't think I'll get as good a bargain as 49p again, but who knows! 

Fiona xox

Thursday 20 June 2013

Summer Beauty Swap | with Petit Moi - Big World


The lovely Kat from Tales of a Pale Face decided to organise a summer beauty swap last month; all you had to do was sign up and she'd pair you with another blogger! I'd never taken part in a blog swap before and it sounded really exciting, so I said I was in.

I was paired with the wonderful Laura from Petit Moi Big World (she's lovely and so is her blog, check it out!). We got chatting and got down to business straight away, discussing products and our likes/dislikes. We agreed on a budget of £25.00, a decent amount! It didn't take us long to gather everything together and we both received our boxes yesterday. 

I've got to say I really enjoyed shopping for someone else and picking products I hoped Laura would love! Sending off her parcel was exciting and nerve wracking, I was just hoping she'd like what I got her! I think the feeling was mutual, and safe to say I'm thrilled with the lovely things I was given. 


Laura wrapped everything up beautifully and included a little note that I wasn't to read until I'd opened everything! It was all very exciting! 


Laura picked some amazing things for me! We also agreed to send each other some freebies (things we didn't like, wouldn't use or maybe didn't work for us). Laura sent me a Barry M sequin nail paint, a gorgeous pair of lashes that will definitely be getting a lot of wear, and some pots of Vaseline which always come in handy!

Laura bought me a beautiful Fashionista palette that I've put together now, that included some metallic neutrals in Gold Rush and Exclusive Collection, a lovely shimmery champagne in Nude Glimmer and an amazing purple colour called Bewitched. I'm wearing Bewitched today and it's just gorgeous. I also got some "I Love" Strawberries & Milkshake hand cream and lip balm, which smell amazing and so yummy!

I also received the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Metallic Pomegranate, which I already own but really like! Laura is so amazing she wants to swap it for something else I haven't got, isn't she brilliant? So unbelievably kind of her and I just wanted to thank her again! 

Also in my box were some Superdrug face masks, which I've often wandered past in store and thought about picking up! I do love a pamper session with a face mask, so these certainly won't go wrong!

 Finally I received the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Polish in Greenberry, which I've been lusting after for ages, and the Barry M The Magic Lip Paint, which looks green in the tube but turns your lips a lovely pink colour! I'm wearing Greenberry right now, and safe to say it's now my favourite summer nail polish so thank you so so much Laura for picking it for me!

I really enjoyed swapping with Laura, she's so so lovely and I'd love to swap again! It's been a really enjoyable experience, shopping for someone else is incredibly fulfilling. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better swap partner, so thank you Kat for pairing us up! You can see what I got for Laura here. 

Fiona xox

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Top 5 | Summer Nail Polishes


Illamasqua Stance: £14.50 - Although pricey, this is the most gorgeous purple pink colour. I honestly can't describe it properly, but it just seems so tropical! I think it would look amazing teamed with a golden smokey eye, perfect for summer nights. 

Models Own Hedonist: £5.00 - From last years Hed Kandi collection, this neon coral is an amazing summer colour. It's really bold and although I haven't worn it much I intend to when the sun comes out.

Essie Bikini So Teeny: £7.99 - Although this icy blue might look wintry, the name suggests otherwise. This pale blue with subtle shimmer seriously enhances a tan. 

OPI Did It On 'Em - Although this is no longer available there are plenty of similar colours about, and I think this yellow based green looks amazing with multi coloured glitter on top. 

MUA Bright Pink: £1.00 - What a bargain! These wee polishes from MUA are great, and I've bought them when I've been looking for polishes to match a lipstick/outfit but didn't want to splash the cash. Bright pink couldn't be more summery if it tried!

Fiona xox

Monday 17 June 2013

INAA Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards | The Winners

It's been awhile since the INAA Scottish Hair & Beauty Awards last month, but I've been meaning to update you all on the winners! It's a great way to learn about the best Scottish salons, and even if you're not Scottish the best ones to use if you're up here!


Best Female Hair Stylist: Donna Richards – Partners Hair & Beauty, Broughty Ferry  
Best Male Hair Stylist: James Roberts – James Roberts Hair Design & Beauty
Expert Hair Colourist: Jill Aitchison – Medusa, Edinburgh
Expert Hair Extensionist: David Ferry – Gary Thompson Hair, Glasgow
Best Barber: Boom Barbers, Edinburgh
Best Hair Salon: James Hughes, Glasgow
Expert Beauty Therapist: Laura Taylor – The Secret Beauty Garden, Edinburgh
Expert Cosmetic Therapist: Jacquie Partridge – Dermal Clinic, Edinburgh
Expert Make up Artist: Victoria Elwen – Spoilt at Smiths, Gretna Green
Expert Nail Technician: Christina Pert – Bespoke, Aberdeen
Expert Massage Therapist: Fiona Norval – Eden Hair & Beauty, Arbroath
Best Beauty Salon: The Greenrooms, Dundee
Best Spa/Day Spa: Spa in the City, Glasgow
Best Nail Bar: Manhattan Nails, Glasgow
Best Cosmetic Dentist: Art of Dentistry, Prestwick             
Expert Tanning Specialist: Deborah Clark - Deborah’s Beauty in the City, Glasgow
Best Salon Design: Rainbow Room International, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
Best Website: Craig Andrew Hairdressing, Glasgow
Young Talent Award: Christie Sanders - Austen Thomson, Edinburgh
Icon Award: Charlie Miller, Edinburgh

Fiona xox

Sunday 16 June 2013

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine | #19 Fuchsia in Rage

Recently my parents returned from their holidays, and brought me back this little beauty from duty free!


Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine #19 Fuchsia in Rage: £24.00 - 
It's my first YSL lipstick in the very luxurious packaging, it's just beautiful.


It looks very purple in the tube, but on the lips it comes off as a purple toned fuchsia pink. It's comparable to  MAC's Girl About Town lipstick or Revlon's lip butter in Lollipop, but neither are just as purple toned.

The Rouge Volupte Shine finish isn't terribly long wearing, but truthfully I was half expecting that. I think the original Rouge Volupte lipsticks might have longer wear time. The shine formula seems more moisturising and well, shinier! It also has a nice fruity scent that disappears soon after applying. I can only compare from getting swatch happy at the YSL counter in the past, but thats the impression I'm getting.

Overall I really do love this, the packaging is just to die for. But if I'm being honest, if you're going to splash £24.00 on one, I'd go for the original formula as you might get more wear time from those! Fuchsia in Rage is an incredible colour though. 

Fiona xox

Wednesday 12 June 2013

Wednesday Wishlist | #8

Wednesday Wishlist | #8
clockwise from l-r:

Illamasqua Complement Palette: £34.00 - I love the mix of browns, champagne and burgundy colours in this palette. I've been lusting after it and I wish I'd bought it when Illamasqua were doing their 50% off deal!

RiRi Hearts MAC Summer Collection Lipsticks  in RiRi Boy and Heaux: £14.00 each - I've fallen in love with the retro matte finish of RiRi Woo, and the colours of RiRi Boy and Heaux are right up my street. RiRi Boy is a matte version of Up The Amp and Heaux is a dark berry.

Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo Fibre Collection: £23.99 - I love love love Real Techniques brushes and I'm desperate to get this limited edition collection of brushes!

Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Stick: £6.99 - I'm sure I've already included these in a Wednesday wishlist, but I still haven't tried them! The colours look so vibrant and I especially have my eye on a shimmery red. 

Origins Brighter By Nature: £30.00 - I've been getting more into skincare, especially peels as of late. I've been aching to try Brighter By Nature, which contains 40 separate pads with fruit acid peel.

Models Own Splash Top Coats in Pink Paradise and Mermaid Tears: £5.00 each - These new top coats from Models Own look absolutely gorgeous!

Fiona xox



Sunday 9 June 2013

Bailey's Bit

I'm going to try and do more lifestyle posts on the blog, so I thought I'd start by updating you on my puppy Bailey! I haven't done a post about him since we got him in November, and he's so grown up now! 


He's now nearly 9 months and he's turned out to be the perfect puppy! He's learning so quickly, he's been able to do basic commands like sit, lie down and paw since a few weeks after we got him and learns more all the time. He's still not ready to go off the lead - but we'll get there!

He's always playing with the dog next door, they love each other! Even though he's never lived with children he gets on great with the neighbourhood kids. He's such a happy puppy.

I absolutely adore him, he's so affectionate and everyone we meet falls in love with him! I honestly don't know what I'd do without him.  

Let me know if you'd like to see more lifestyle posts and Bailey updates? 

Fiona xox

Saturday 8 June 2013

UPDATED BLOG SALE | MAC, Illamasqua, Urban Decay Inglot.

I've added some more items to my blog sale! Unfortunately being an unemployed student has caught up with me and I had to take a long hard look at my make up collection and sell some lovely items that just weren't getting used. 


Fiona xox

Real Techniques | Expert Face Brush & Core Collection

I bought these a few weeks ago as an end of exams treat, and I've been using them non-stop ever since!


Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: £9.99
Real Techniques Core Collection: £21.99

Superdrug are now stocking Real Techniques, and they had a buy one, get one half price offer on! They didn't have the collection of eye brushes in stock, so I opted for the expert face brush instead along with the core collection. 


The Expert Face Brush is lovely, its quite small but it does a great job of buffing in foundation. I feel like it would be fantastic for using with cream blush as well, but since I'm not a lover of the cream blush I can't tell you for sure. I'm going to try it with cream highlighting/contouring products though! 


The core collection is fantastic value for money for £21.99, and contains four brushes; the buffing brush, detailer brush, pointed foundation brush and contour brush. I've been using the buffing brush to apply foundation or powder like my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish. The detailer brush has come in handy for inner corner highlighter or applying shadow to my lower lash line. The pointed foundation brush is way too small for foundation, but it makes a damn good concealer brush. The contour brush does what it says on the tin, I've been using it for contouring.

I think Real Techniques brushes are fantastic. I plan on buying most of them in the future, they're just so good! 

Fiona xox


Sunday 2 June 2013

Colours Of The Rainbow Tag

I was tagged by the lovely Laura from www.laurzrah.com to do the colours of the rainbow tag! You pick a product for each of the colours of the rainbow (and pink!): 


Red: I picked RiRi Woo, the latest addition to my MAC lipstick collection. It's such a perfect teeth whitening red and I absolutely love it! 

Orange: I don't own many orange products, but I have this Revlon Lip Butter in Jui
cy Papaya which is a lovely peachy orange shade. 

Yellow: I have no yellow make up products, the only thing I could think of was this lemon body butter from The Body Shop, the scent is amazing for summer! 

Green: Pretty easy, I have a few green nail varnishes and eyeshadows but I plumped for this minty green polish from Barry M. Looks pretty blue in the picture but on the nails it's definitely mint green.

Blue: I went for Balearic Cool from the Models Own Hed Kandi collection. I don't wear blue nails often but during the summer I'll be wearing this for sure.

Indigo: This was hard! The nearest thing to Indigo I had was this Illamasqua Powder Eyeshadow in Never. 

Violet: Easy peasy! My MAC lipstick in Heroine is the most incredible violet colour. I'm waiting for a brave moment to wear this out but hopefully one will come soon! I can see myself rocking this in my favourite club as some of the girls there rock black lipstick on a regular basis!

Pink: I have a million pink products but I went for this Illamasqua Powder Blush in Naked Rose. It's the perfect neutral pink and goes with almost any make up look. 

I hope you enjoyed this tag and I tag anyone who wants to do it! 

Fiona xox
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